Madrid Province, (not City)

Madrid Province. Very close to the capital! On the horizon, La Sierra de La Cabrera.

Spring Greens! From the Roman road near El Escorial.

The Palace-monastery from the Herreria Woods, Abantos behind. The Capital of Much of the Known World, circa 1590.

Sorry about this HFF shot two days early but my plans are too fluid to know whether I'll be on-line on Friday or not! This was taken on April 25, 2016 as the town was preparing for it's bull feria..

I have walked this stretch of the Roman road many times these past 5 years and I always stop and give an apple to my friend here. My girlfriend brings a few carrots (although she wasn't present on this occasion). Horsey accepted the apple graciously enough but turned away as soon as he realised carrots weren't forthcoming!

Only a few sections haven't seen the paving stones uprooted and used for building walls and farm buildings. This is one such section. On the ground, this road is not at all a straight line. From the air and on the map it is a typical straight Roman road! The red and white waymark is for the GR10, the long distance walk from Valencia to Lisbon - or Lisbon to Valencia if you prefer. This is recent. I was surprised to see it here as previously, the GR10 passed many kilometres further north, through the centre of the Sierra de La Guadarrama. Perhaps they will be alternating the routes every couple of decades or so in order to give the paths a rest! If so, it is a good idea (although I am told that the GR10 is not much used and I must say that on my many walks using fragments of the GR10, I have never seen any long-distance walkers!)

Vast and imposing edifice, the brainchild of Emperor Felipe II.

One of the happiest HFF shots I can remember posting for a few months! Now all we need to do is make it work!! Wild flowers near Valdemanco, Madrid, on the approach to La Sierra de La Cabrera.

Encina (holm oak), Canchos Largo y Gordo. And granite, granite and more granite! Look closely at the oak. It has been lopped. This is a 'managed' wild landscape! It is also my favourite walking country.

Parque Monte del Pilar, Majadahonda, Madrid.

Some of you may remember, from Panoramio, this piece of land belonging to my girlfriend. She is still trying to sell it, if anyone is interested! In the foreground; Spanish lavender.

I got lost and followed this path only to find myself in a field with a bull. The next field also had a bull ... and the next. I couldn't escape them so, as nonchalantly as I could, I retraced my steps, adding over an hour to my journey!. But then it is Spain, after all!

Close to Madrid but centuries away. On Z please. Last chance to save this site. www.generosity.com/community-fundraising/ipernity-members-association-a-non-profit-entity/x/16256307

May 1. Forecast bright, sunny and hot, I was caught out by a snow storm which came out of the blue, and wearing only a t-shirt. Fortunately it passed by in half an hour and the sun came out again! On 'z' please. Fundraising is still going on, ultimately IMA need at least 50,000$ to continue Ipernity into 2018! www.generosity.com/community-fundraising/ipernity-members-association-a-non-profit-entity

Please give as generously as you can: www.generosity.com/community-fundraising/ipernity-members-association-a-non-profit-entity

The Convento Monasterio de San Julian y San Antonio, backed by the Sierra de La Cabrera and El Pico de La Miel.

'Z', please!

Sierra de La Cabrera. Granite. Winter scenery but no snow that year. 'Z' please! Alternative title: Toque Rock!!!!