Solutions... The gate agents were sympatheic, and provided me with options to call or speak with Iberia, and providing me with the Qatar customer service numbers. So, calling Qatar Airways on their Qatari number, but can't dial overseas. Even calling the Spanish number and get diverted to a call centre on the Sub-Continent. Still very helpful and looking up the route of MAD-DXB ended up making a change to the 0930 IB departure the following morning via DOH to DXB which means I don't need to trek from SHJ to DXB and still have a 2.5hr gap until my UL flight to CMB.


Yes, one of my nicknames for Mrs Enthused is "Hissy Cat"
​​I was also able to get some more cash transferred to the Travel debit card to cover for the change fee, which was 1845AED (around AUD750). Receipts will be kept for the Travel Insurance claim too. Unfortunately I wasn't able to find a hotel by the airport that had availability at such short notice, and by the time I worked out my flights, it was already after midnight. Madrid was also cold and wet tonight.As the song from Life of Brian goes: ”Always look on the bright side of life. When you're chewing on life's gristle, don't grumble, give a whistle!” So, speaking of gristle, I decided that a quick jaunt into downtown Madrid on the pink Metro line to Nuevos Ministerios to a Five Guys which is nearby would be a nice spot to eat feelings and type more notes and trip reports.










I think it was at this point that the security people didn't like my happy snaps of the train and whistled angrily at me to get me to stop.

I simply boarded the train and they stared menacingly at me through the window. Strange indeed.

The train ride to Nuervo Ministerios was rather quick and I donned the winter rain jacket and walked to the Five Guys.






I have never had a Five Guys burger but had a Shake Shack burger before, admittedly in Singapore. The burger, while not that attractive, was actually cooked well. I added mushrooms, bell pepper, grilled onions, pickles and bacon. I would go for a single pattie next time, as I couldn't finish my chips and I suspect it was because I went with a double pattie. The Cajun fries had a great kick to them too.





The drink was a Mezzo Mix which seemed like some kind of cola. The drink fountain actually gave you many choices so I went with the cherry variant which tasted awesome.

I eventually made my way back to the airport via a series of night buses and a short taxi ride. Now it is just after 4am and the J check in should open in an hour or so. At least the terminal building is quite a lovely piece of architecture to admire.





So, an inadvertent adventure and bonus burger and fries in Madrid, 13 years after my last visit. Plus another EU stamp in the passport. Silver linings I guess.