Hi all,off to Madrid tomorrow,going to be weekending east of the city at a place called Torres De La Alameda,will be dropping trailer at customers to tip monday,the question,anyone know where i can park to get grub and a shower?whats the price of a hotel,double manning so would be nice to get away from the truck.cheers
you are only 25 km from Freds at Coslada, I would sugest you go park at his place.
He has showers as well as internet if you want them, also you will find him helpful for things to do over the weekend. (not just the bag houses)
You can either park near the restaraunt on Calle Virgen de la Cabeza, 28820 Coslada by the junction with calle del Rio Ebro or if you want secure parking (expensive) you can go across the road to Ave de Alemania and Ave de Italia
A decent place is by IKEA as you come into Madrid on the N1. It has always been safe for me, the security guards ride round on Segaways. Plenty of places to eat and easy to get into the centre if you want to.
If you dont want to park at Freds,there is another restaurant on avenue de industria,behind spain tir depot,which is trading as schneker,there is a shower for drivers,dont matter if you not tipping there,they wont know,it is the second floor,they have a workers canteen,you get a ticket from the girls on the front desk,about 5 euros for 4 courses.
Spain tir,are on avenue de fuentemar,28823,there is is the matador restaurant on ave industria,they do a good drivers menu for about 9 euros,serve cold pints of beer,you can then walk to the bus station or tube in Coslada to go to the city centre,but make sure you check the last bus or tube train back.There are quite a few hotels in Coslada,and Fred will help you out,he speaks about 5 languages,and has problems with the local council with truck parking,he used to own a dust bowl,years ago,then moved to a bigger place,now he is under an appartment block,there are numerous chinese restaurants in that area too.There is a big park,where the locals promenade on sundays,it is a much better place than it used to be.
If you leave the truck,best to shut the curtains to avoid any hassle ,i put an old pair of shoes on the door step,so they think someone is in the cab.
The waiter in the matador,is footie mad,and gets excited if you mention any english teams,the food is very good,and you can drink as much red wine as you want.
Defo get down to the city centre,it will be crawling with eye candy,plenty to do and see,or sit in the main square to watch the world go by,one bar has photos off the prime ministers and presidents from around the world,and some other well known faces,that have ate and drank in that bar.There is a bulls head on the wall.
Try the tapas,or mini meal,you wont need to have a meal afterwards.
To save your little legs,jump on those big red double decker tour buses,that do a set route around the cities old buildings,you get an english documentary on board.It is quite interesting.As in any large city,watch out for pick pockets,you may see chinese immigrants doing body massages on the side of the street,they do neck,back,or the whole body,it is not the naughty massages.
Toby you missed your calling in life mate, you should have been a travel agent!!! 
As you leave Torres de la Alameda towards Loeches you will come to a roundabout with a restaurant on the corner that also has a secure parking but might be a good idea to check if the restaurant is open at the weekends
Thanks for all the help
Gary,let us know how you get on,and which baghouse you stopped in for a 45 minute break,they take fuel cards for payment,and wash the lorry off for you,a valet is extra.They may polish the knobs up for you too.
Best route is head to Pamplona via Sunbilla,the resturant there is now shut,but there is a good one on the nortbound side,you have to cross the road to get there,2 minute walk.
Then take the national,via Almazan,the motorways around Madrid are free,but they have toll roads as well,no diiference to time or speed.
The national one,via Vitoria and Burgos is not much,and random police checks,as some hilly bits,from Burgos to Madrid,and over speed fines to watch out for,then there is the mountain of Somosierra,thats a brake line fader,ok if you are lightly loaded.
Welshboy,Vascoingles will point you the right way for the 101 route,empty roads,scenic,good pit stops,and quiet,no cab robbers too,.
Also there is a big supermarket on the national two heading past the american air base,towards Zaragoza,park behind the back,plenty of room.Say hello to Fred if you do go there,he is well known all over europe.