Madrid

Wisteria, Calle del Tutor, Madrid. Spring has come to Madrid in a rush this past week, just as it has to other parts of Europe, and it will be over quicker than usual as Summer waits impatiently in the wings.

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!

Not a viaduct but a road bridge, right in the heart of old Madrid. It takes a major road, Ballien, across another one, Calle de Segovia. In the past, the latter was the site of a deep arroyo (dried river bed). It was subject to flooding until quite recently.

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.

A mix of styles and colours is typical of this part of old Madrid.

This magnolia tree is on a private road in La Finca, Madrid's most exclusive estate and home to Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and others. I gave English classes here for a while to an aspiring actress with a rich daddy!

I had a flat here for about a year (2012/13) on the 11th floor with great views of any sunrise that showed itself.

Hortaleza, Madrid. A piece of waste ground that came alive every spring. Nothing grows here now, I think they treated it with something effective and nasty a couple of years ago.

One of Madrid's oldest churches, the tower was once thought to have originated as a mosque's minaret.

In old Madrid. I know the Spanish flag of course - and there have been a lot on display since the Catalunyan goings-on but the other flag? Puzzle! What is the 'other' flag?????

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!

For a short while, I lived high up in a tower block and saw many amazing sunrises and the occasional sunset.

One of the most famous churches in Madrid, situated between the Prado and the Retiro Park, it was built in the 15th century and has seen many a royal wedding. And no, It wasn't named after the famous Apache chief!

Yes, it's there! Spring wildflowers brightening up what is a piece if wasteground at other times of the year!

By the side of the main road in Hortaleza, Madrid

Torre Cristal and Torre Espacio, 2 of the Cuatro Torres, Madrid. www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUqDrHqvYl0

View towards the Sierra de Guadarrama from Central Madrid (taken from a student's flat). Full screen please.

From Torre Europa, looking north to Torres Kio and the Four Towers along this main Madrid thoroughfare. Behind the furthest towers can just be glimpsed La Sierra de La Cabrera. Best on black and full screen.