HFF

Pedraza, Segovia province.

John, these were the building styles to which I was referring (the shot was going to be for a Friday, but I decided against it). These are actually a little bit posher and certainly more expensive, as they are a little closer to the centre, than the ubiquitous suburban blocks. The green area looks pleasant enough but it is wasteland and is a dirty yellow colour for 11 months of the year.

Graffiti (authorised) on the walls around Chamartin Station car park. Near the Cuatro Torres Business Park, where I take many classes. The station shop mini-mall must have contributed to the costs of employing well known street artists and they were able to have a plug for the station shopping mall included here!

Rusting metal fencing is everywhere in the suburbs of Madrid. There was a building spree in the 70s and 80s and this was the 'go to' fencing material of the day! I'm not impressed with the state of the concrete in this footbridge either. I use it 6 times a week. I think it needs replacing ... very soon!

Chamartin mainline and metro station, Car park, authorised graffiti. The Four Towers, Madrid

Waste ground between Chamartin Station and the Four Towers. A horrible place except in Spring! Malva sylvestris loves waste ground, and this is a blessing, believe me!

William Murdoch's House, Redruth Cornwall. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Murdoch

A vast complex designed for the Republican government by the renowned architect Secundino Zuarzo. Work started in 1933 but was Interrupted by the civil war. It was completed in 1942 after stylistic changes were made due to Franco's dislike of modernism and the art-deco style that Zuarzo preferred. Zuarzo resigned from the project after the Nationalists won (I'm being euphemistic here) and it was completed along the lines of Franco's more stolid tastes. Typed whilst listening on the radio to the strangulated collapse of the government in Spain and the far more interesting news of Zinidiane Zidane's resignation as manager of Real Madrid. Amazing! Who knew just how much influence Gareth Bale had there? Certainly not I!!!! (certainly not me? No. Certainly not I!, an improvement. Better: Not me, Guv! - Yes, that's it! :o)

A much used path by workers in the Four Towers from Chamartin mainline and metro stations. It goes througth wasteland, and rough and dusty or muddy paths too.

An excellent restaurant in the main square.

I posted another shot from here 5 years ago. www.ipernity.com/doc/2247598/44044182/in/album/1049422 The idea was that this Godforsaken area of desolate land would soon be re-developed, after all it is in the middle of one of the most exclusive business areas in Madrid. Ha! The only change I see is that graffiti has somewhat obscured the original fence colours! The spring flowers don't mind though!

Chance shot as I crossed the M40 motorway (Madrid; not the London M40!) en route to a class today. I often have to walk a long way as classes are often at companies in industrial complexes which are great for access by road but not for access by public transport! Travel time is unpaid so I would begrudge all this walking were it not for the fact that I welcome the exercise. Needs good weather though!! Taken with my new mobile phone - Huawei Honor 6X, I think the camera is better than my old Moto E. I have yet to take it to the mountains of central Spain, let alone Cornwall!

Madrid. The best preserved section of the Muslim Wall (11th century). Behind is the Almudena Cathedral. In front is the quite frankly dismal Parque de Emir Muhammad I.

The castle at Manzanares El Real

HFF everyone. Another corner of my mum's garden, Saint Day, Cornwall. Next door's clothes pegs were dying to be included so I gave in and allowed them their moment of fame!

Fuchsias from my mum's garden in Saint Day, Cornwall

Madrid metro. This won't be everyone's cup of tea. I posted it on Pano and it got more or less zero response. Already an improvement here!

My mum's garden at Saint Day again!