Madrid

In Madrid's Parque del Buen Retiro, La Roselada.

A small but beautiful public garden in the middle of the old centre of Madrid.

Lines on multiple levels and open to view make for a dramatic scene.

I have just watched Spain beat Italy 3:0 in a World Cup qualifier on TV tonight, Spain playing quite wonderful football. It reminded me of this night in 2012 in a bar near where I then lived, watching Spain beat Italy in the final of the European Championships. Spain had been on a long winning run as the best team in the world and the fans seemed rather nonchalant by then. I was more excited by the terrific football I had witnessed in 2012 than they were. 5 years later and with some exciting new players, maybe the interest is coming back! The chap in the Pique shirt was obviously a Catalan interloper! Today, he might be in danger of a lynching. (If unsure, please ask me privately!).

Sunset from my old flat.

I forget which restaurant this was but they did us proud. My niece does this amazing Uri Geller thing with cutlery!

Back in 2013, for a few months, I lived in a high-rise block and used to wake up to terrific sunrises!

There is a logical explanation for this sculpture which was noted on my Pano upload of this shot but which was stolen by Google and I can't now remember what it is! Anyway I find the effect quite surreal!

Calle San Andres, Malasana District, Madrid and girlfriend in familiar pose.

Typical of the Madrid metro designs in its great expansive phase from about 1995 to the onset of the recession and, deliberately over-edited by me, this represents a positive, thrusting, energetic attitude that faltered somewhat when the recession struck. However the legacy has left a metro network that, in large parts. exudes a dynamic upbeat feel that is very seductive. It still needs to be paid for, however!

The previous photo is of La Sierra de La Cabrera from the northwest. It looks more imposing from the plain here.

Griffon Vulture. El Cancho de La Bola. Sierra de La Cabrera

Dedicated cycle lanes being built at the expense of parking for the residents. That's progress, I suppose. It means my girlfriend now can't park outside, but has to trawl the side streets for hours looking for a parking space. :o)

HFF! Castle at Manzanares el Real, Madrid Province. El Yelmo, A prominent peak in the Sierra de La Pedriza, is visible in the background.

Accidental shot on the Madrid metro. But I was pleased that I had polished my shoes that morning! It's like your Mum making sure you always had clean underwear on 'because, you never know, you might be hit by a bus'!!!!

My girlfriend saw the camera and ... there she goes ... walking away very smartish!

One of the joys of teaching Business English is the early start of a morning! Top executives want to have their classes between 7 and 8:30. I do sometimes get to see sunrises in compensation!

Purpose-built 1980s park in northeast Madrid (but then I suppose that ALL parks are 'purpose-built'), full of grandiose metallic sculptures and broad vistas much beloved of surfboarders and roller skaters (I'm not 100% certain of the vocabulary here as maybe one of these activities is related to water rather than land?? I'm floundering as neither activity interests me in the slightest!) and whatever is fashionable in such circles these days.