Particularly attentive readers (hello to both of you) may recall an architecturally-motivated trip back in 2018, to Brussels in search of some art nouveau buildings. Whilst my initial inspiration was actually a board game, since then I’ve taken up formal studies in architectural history as a way to pass some of the time during lockdowns / furlough. This has left me with a long shopping list of locations around the world I’d like to see in person – when I can’t travel, I still like to daydream about it!
But with entry restrictions to the UK easing off, and fresh from the success of my Isle of Man visit, I felt that some might now be in reach. After extensive study of western and modernist buildings, I’d decided to branch out by signing up for a short intro to Islamic architecture in Spain. From the course overview, I’d been particularly impressed by the mosque at Cordoba, and began toying with the idea of immediately following up the lectures with a field trip. Spain had no COVID testing requirements at all, and a cheap self-administered lateral flow test after my return would now keep the British government happy.
Around the same time, rumours began of a return to service for BA’s A380s – necessitating some warm-up flights to Europe before joining the long haul schedule. When Madrid turned out to be one of the chosen destinations, a plan began to form. At first, I’d been thinking of a more direct routing between Bristol and Malaga on Easyjet. Now, I could do something more complicated: fly the whale jet from London, then work my way home one city per day, taking in Madrid, Cordoba and Malaga. Some avgeekery, some high speed trains, an architectural pilgrimage, and a new hotel each night – much more my style!
