Sierra de Guadarrama

You can drink this and I do. I re-fill my water bottles here. but not in summer and autumn because it is dry. Sierra de La Cabrera, Madrid. Please view on large and black. Sight and sound. www.youtube.com/watch?v=COiIC3A0ROM A favourite soul artist.

One autumn (not this one) in the Sierra de La Cabrera. These sweet chestnuts are resting on the monastery wall. Ginger Baker R.I.P. Sight and Sound. I had a friend who got involved with a wife (possibly ex-wife) of Ginger's. His life was made rather "awkward" to say the least, as Ginger knew quite a number of - let us say - 'shady' characters. It took about 10 years for my friend to breathe easily and stop glancing round street corners before proceding! www.youtube.com/watch?v=8O5IgyDcohQ

Typical granite forms.

Sierra deGuadarrama, Madrid Province

Cancho de La Bola, home of Griffon vultures. Granite country par excellence.

Sierra de La Cabrera

The far eastern end of the ridge of La Sierra de La Cabrera comprises this peak, It has good rock climbing routes on the far side and is a dominant landmark on the main motorway northwards out of Madrid, so it is well known to all Madrileños, even if they have never walked in the Sierra de La Cabrera.

For Marie-Claire.

You can just about trace this tiny mountain stream doing its darndest in full spate zig-zagging its way across this shot. Sierra de La Cabrera at the Valdemanco end.

Seen (just about) at bottom left. I think most of it is in the much later wall! Zarzarlejo, El Escorial, Sierra de Guadarrama, Madrid Province. Granite country.

Convento Monasterio de San Julian y San Antonio, Sierra de La Cabrera. A brisk trot to the summit of Cancho Gordo from here should take no more than 45 minutes!

Sierra de La Cabrera.

Granite scenery. Just under the summit of Cancho gordo. In the distance l-r, La Pedriza, La Cuerda Larga and Peñalara, the highest point in the Sierra de Guadarrama (or Sierra de Madrid).

Typical granite country here. A freezing cold day but no snow that year which meant I visited here at least once a week. And I really got to know the Sierra like the back of my hand!

Obscured by clouds. I saw a film of this aged 14 in a provincial cinema in France and I was blown away. Sight and Sound - www.youtube.com/watch?v=lk6LmjA-kyY

The idea is to follow the crest of this ridge as faithfully as possible. It's good fun as the granite provides superb friction and hence 'stickability' if you have the right footwear! It also helps if you enjoy a spot of rock-hopping and using both hands and feet occasionally and the odd spot of adrenalin-pumping exposure! If you have ever enjoyed Striding Edge on Helvellyn, then this would tick all your boxes and then some! (greature exposure, craggier rocks and much longer!). This shot is of just the lower starting (or finishing) stretch. Sight and sound. For no other reason than I've always liked it and another well crafted sub - three minute pop song. www.youtube.com/watch?v=bmkcKjGyJv8