HFF

Palm and fence. It's not a private garden but in the grounds of the Employment Ministery, so I had no qualms about privacy issues.

Plaza de Lima and the Estadio de Santiago Bernabéu (undergoing reconstruction - desecration in my view - but who am I to decry 'progress'?).

Seen on a walk and I was just attracted by the HFF potential. Parroquia de San Cristóbal y San Rafael, Arapiles, Madrid.

From the public gardens of the Canal de Isabel II (a waterworks company) across Calle Santa Engracia (my street) and to 'Fire Station Number I, Madrid', the oldest fire station (1892). The light was very bright that day and the pollution non-existant (still far fewer cars on the roads and far fewer planes above - in fact last week I heard a noise and thought; 'what on Earth is that?' ... Of course it was the near-forgotten sound of an aircraft!!)

Kids' playgrounds are open now but I saw no one at all, neither child nor adult in this square. Very strange. Did they know something I didn't, I wonder?

The ubiquitous oleander. Well, my park has finally re-opened but there is only one thing one can do and that is enter and leave by one entrance only (five gates are closed. Bad luck if you live on the far side of the park, such as I!). You can walk round the outer edge of the park on the running track but running and jogging are banned. Lesser paths among the rose beds and so on are blocked, all seats are out of bounds as are all the children's play areas and the many cafes and bars. Masks are obligatory as is 2 metres distancing but these last two rules are ignored by many which makes me seethe like little else!

The first (very small) park I saw open in Madrid since the start of lockdown. And I just caught the very last of the wisteria. That's my spring flora shot for the year! (Better on large, z, black, full screen.)

Again, nothing special but I like the lines and forms. On my walk to give a weekly class at a company in a typical 1990s business estate in Madrid. I seem to have walked this walk for eons! (but in reality only 3 years). The structure on the right supports the M40 Madrid motorway ring road (elevated at this and many other points).

The first raised water tower in Madrid. In use 1911 - 1952, Now an art gallery and exposition centre. Original construction (and still owned) by the water company Canal de Isabel II. Architects Luis Moya Idígoras and Ramón de Aguinaga. I also think the foreground wall is attractive in a "Mondrian / Klee / Braque / Machu Picchu" kind of way.

Colombia Metro Station, Madrid. I just LIKE this station. They didn't have to do this but I'm pleased they did. Just about every other metro station has something of interest to see, admire, like, enjoy the vibrant colours of, etc!

A weekly journey to a take a class I no longer make! This footbridge crosses a dual carriageway. On the horizon is a section of the Sierra de Guadarrama (from La Maliciosa on the left to La Cuerda Larga on the right).

Central Madrid, outside the Retiro Park Metro station. Iglesia de San Manuel y San Benito.

The Plymouth - Santander ferry (returning to Spain after my most recent visit home to Cornwall 2 years ago).

Monkey Hut, Outer harbour wall. Portreath, Cornwall. www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTuqg3lZO0A

My brother's house near Perranporth, Cornwall.

A church in Madrid. I'll look for it's name shortly. I do have it somewhere!! Yes, Panteón de Hombres Ilustres (Mausoleum of famous men - women were of no account when this place was built in 1901, obviously). The most famous men buried here are Sr Ríos Rosas and generals Castaños, de la Concha and Prim. Thought you'd be impressed!

Until yesterday I gave 4 Business English classes a week at the tall white tower. Now nothing until further notice - and the same at my other in - company classes all around Madrid. No classes, no pay. A problem to say the least. I suggested remote classes by Skype for Business, Zoom, even WhatsApp but the answer was 'no'. I suspect they are very scared about the financial impact and are trimming their sails accordingly. Business English classes are the first to be cancelled in such times.

Parque de El Retiro, Madrid. Spring is very early. Still a shock in store I feel. ... Written later; the shock wasn't weather related at all!!!!