The trains in Spain put us all to shame

María Ramírez’s article (Spain’s high-speed trains aren’t just efficient, they have transformed people’s lives, 11 October) brought back memories of a “four cities in a day” piece that I wrote for a newspaper about 10 years ago, showing just how superb the trains were. Breakfast in Valencia; then the train to Madrid; enough time there to see both Bosch at the Prado and Guernica at the Reina Sofia; then on to Zaragoza, with an hour and a bit to potter about its old town; then on to Barcelona, arriving early evening. Around 700 miles in a day, two good breaks of journey – and it never felt that rushed, or that expensive.Norman MillerBrighton

Paul Thomas asks how the Tories will draft new policy with no fag packets (Letters, 6 October). I would suggest they use the backs of the envelopes containing the bungs from their donors.Liz Docker Ashbourne, Derbyshire

What really frightens me is that an electorate that managed to support Brexit just might vote the Tories back into power next year.Peter RussellTunbridge Wells, Kent

I’ll be 67 this month and I agree that going up and down stairs is a good way of maintaining mobility, even with creaky knees (Letters, 11 October). Another way is to go on demonstrations. In times like these there is plenty to march about.Keith FlettTottenham, London

So is swimming (an activity without special shoes) just a pastime and not a sport (Letters, 11 October)? The British Olympic Association might need to look at its rule book.Paul TattamChinley, Derbyshire

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