Chocolateria at Marques de Vadillo on an evening in January

I must be the biggest fan of these places which are on street corners all over Madrid. If I could take one of these back to London with me I would! Chocolate and poros or churros is the perfect solution for meriendas on chilly winter's days. I never understood the desire for mixing hot sweet chocolate with greasy fried batter until winter came. I was a typical tourist and tried it because it was the done thing. Now I am converted! Cheap and cheerful, these snacks really hit the spot when you are freezing! I love the way that people from all ages and class partake of them - witness these well heeled ladies in their fur coats. I love the alchemy of the transformation of the batter in a cloud of steam to golden puffs of goodness. Miraculous! There is an art to eating them by the way. Nothing complicated, you simply dunk and eat. No breaking off bits to dip elegantly. It doesn't work! You will end up with chocolate on your chin and greasy fingers. Trust me!

Chinese New Year in Madrid part 2

A tiger in Alamudena Cementario

A return visit to the cemetery with M who was keen to experience this amazing place. It was Chinese New Year - Sunday 14 February - and with tigers on my mind, I soon spotted this beautiful cat basking in the late afternoon winter sun. He was one of several wild cats that were running around the ancient gravestones and making us feel like we were intruding on proceedings.

This time I caught the cemetery bus from my street and it was worth the ride -though the bus driver was perturbed that we didn't want to get off at the final stop but wanted to stay on board. 

We spent a couple of hours walking around and I revisited some of the places I found on my first trip. As dusk fell we were rewarded with some stunning skies and some great photographs.

A short bus ride and I was soon defrosting at one of my favourite chocolaterias -  in Manuel Becerra. This is when chocolate and poros or churros makes total sense. I was cold and hungry and it was definitely time for merienda!

From here it was a metro ride to Plaza Espana to catch the end of the Chinese exhibition before we went downstairs to the cafeteria that I had read about but never been to. It is a great place, serving authentic Chinese food from a short menu. We had some delicious won ton soup, stir fried greens, dumplings and noodles (traditional at New Year for long life). There is an excellent Chinese foodstore next door so I stocked up on some noodles and soy sauce and will be back soon for their tofu and dumplings. It was great to be able to spend New Year with a Chinese friend and to eat so authentically. Perfect end to a great weekend!