HFF

A late blooming passion flower and all the more welcome for that! My mum's garden, Saint Day, Cornwall.

Marketplace clocktower, St Day, Cornwall Sight and Sound www.youtube.com/watch?v=18620H_z8Uk sometimes only a Chopin masterpiece will do!

Porthtowan beach. Some ecologically sensitive areas have been fenced off to help re-establish local dune flora and wildlife and to plant native grasses to stabilise the dunes. The sea looks better on large.

Terrace view. I live here and it seems I also live in Cornwall. Too complicated to explain, but certainly a dilemma..

Whilst waiting for the car to be MOT'd, this friendly little fellow came over for a chat and a stroke. A bit bedraggled in the rainy weather, nevertheless seemed in fine fettle. We were both sorry I didn't have a carrot or an apple to give him!

On a spectacularly dull day (apologies for the litotes there), the first camellias added much needed cheer!

Looking north over Madrid from a hotel roof terrace on the Gran Via. (A cousin of Marta's was staying here and invited us for cocktails). It wasn't a bad sky that evening either! Sight and Sound. A Janis classic (I can never have enough of Janis Joplin) www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-irXmqIzGA

I dropped my mum off at her hair appointment in Point Mills just up the road and went for a little stroll. I used to walk here as part of my walk from St Day to the southern coast at or near Devoran then go back using this path to the northern coast near Portreath, then back to St Day, In all it took me 10 hours. But I didn't have a camera or smart phone then. The fence is new. Belatedly they realised that the old arsenic mines were still contaminating the streams and rain water run-offs so what was a good old bycicle route, much used by families, became blocked off. Probably just as well! The viaduct carries the branch line from Truro to Falmouth. The stumps represent the old viaduct, I haven't looked up the details of this but will let you know if I do! (Don't hold your breath!) I wanted to get a shot of a train but had to go and pick my Mum up!

I think it can truly be called a fence, in a strictly minimalistic sense! From the Roman Road near El Escorial. This holm oak (encina in Spanish) is a pretty fine specimin imho! The skyline follows the crest of La Sierra de Guadarrama. I always had a soft spot for this gentle little pop song by this well known popular beat combo. www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVwA5wVnwaE

The first of two HFF shots today. Why do these barriers have to be so utilitarian and plain ugly? (utilitarian I get but why so ugly?) Shot of the Manor work shop. Not quite sure what they did in there, the plaques on the walls are normally descriptive but perhaps even the local historians don't know! The top of the market square clocktower can be seen above it. Low light again. Sorry, but that's the only time of day I'm aloud out of the house for good behaviour!

My Mum's garden again. Just one last shot of this bush which has certainly come into its own these past few days!

Couldn't resist again! Camellia bush at or neai its prime. And the abutillon on the left has been flowering determinedly all winter! Interesting ... the map has my parents living at The St Day Fryer! This chippy was wonderful and only a few doors down from us. Every Friday evening my mum used to take a break from cooking and we'd get a fish supper in. Sadly it closed about 10 years ago! Sight and sound www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Jvdy6khEmA

Over the road from The Star Inn at sunset. (And sadly one dead tree.) Sight and Sound; Janis again www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tnr_HAkNHhM

I don't know the name of this tin mine. I was sent on an unexpected detour by roadworks and came across quite a number of old mining structures that I knew were there but hadn't visited for about 25 years. I'll try and find out. I have a few more tin mine ruin shots to post in the fullness of time! Later add on. I think many of the mine buildings hereabouts fall under the name of Wheal Busy. But I could be wrong.,

I THINK it's Wheal Busy but I've yet to confirm this. It's been recommended on good authority to go large! Sight and Sound. It's been a while since I've listened to Mozart and I need a regular fix so here it is! www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXeBFhqViYg

The new(ish - 2014) metro station Paco de Lucía, named in honour of the great flamenco guitarist. I posted this on Pano but not here - I think not anyway. The artists are Okuda San Miguel and Rosh333. I have posted a music link below. Entre Dos Aguas, a very famous song, at least in Spain. There is a frame in the vid that is the template for Paco's portrait here. Worth a listen; www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oyhlad64-s&list=RDEMYNquyZQPgZzsix5KOOjUWA&start_radio=1&rv=0vq3qZwaXrw

Vogue Hill, St Day and double-bubble fence!

Primitive Methodists' chapel and camellia hiding oil tank and privy from the house!