Urban shots

It doesn't seem to be a Covid thing. On some Sundays sections of this north-south main Madrid axis are closed. I presume for demonstrations or just for the public to enjoy on foot, on bikes, on scooters, roller skates, etc. But honestly I don't know why! However,today it was blocked off along very long sections and there was absolutely no-one around. It's like seeing Oxford Street or the Champs Elysées on a Sunday afternoon without a soul. Unthinkable! And I'm still puzzled! If Prez T was paying a visit to Madrid I could understand it; no crowds would show so no security would be required!

And yet it's not as modern as it looks, being constructed in 1975 by architects José Antonio Corrales Gutiérrez and Ramón Vásquez Molezún. Built with pink granite from local quarries, bronze-coloured glass and red coloured anodised aluminium, it currently houses the offices of the European Parliament in Madrid and the Irish Embassy.

From the periphery of Nuevos Ministerios looking out onto the Paseo de Castellana, Madrid's main north-south vehicular axis, previously named Paseo del Generalisimo and before that La Routa de Francia (as it leads north).

An iconic stadium and home of Real Madrid. I thought I had better take a last photo before it is turned into a giant aluminium George Foreman grilling machine. (Thanks to Keith Burton for that analogy! Better than the 'Cornish pasty' I compared it to at first!). I saw the plans a few years ago - I taught English there - so I know of what I speak ...and was horrified! OK, here it is www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pPohc_3dRA I sincerely believe the current building should be preserved as a cultural and architectural icon. But I am too late as the building work has begun and Real Madrid are playing their revived season's fan-less home match programme at their training complex at Valdebebas to the north-east of Madrid and I presume they will play there until 2023.

Built in 1927 to the design of architect Casto Fernández Shaw. Dismantled in 1977 and pleasingly rebuilt to the exact original design 20 years later. The hotel behind is an '80s construction. I think the two architectural styles fit together pretty well. Better on black and full screen.

The first free hospital in Madrid, funded by a consortium of religious foundations and designed by the famous architect, Antonio Palacios. With the builder, Joaquín Otamendi he built many iconic Madrid buildings of this era (1910-1925). Now it is government offices. It occurs to me that this was completed (1916) just in time for the virus pandemic(s) of a few years later! This is just around the corner from my flat.

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.

La Finca Business Park, Somosaguas, Madrid. I used to teach business English here for a couple of years (in Santander, Orange and FNAC). The ornamental olive tree plantings seen here are repicated everywhere in Spain.

Street art, Madrid and the Cuatro Torres

A quiet corner. By the side of the church I think.

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).

A quiet corner in this well-preserved medieval town, an hour and a half's drive from Madrid and a magnet for weekend diners (I think there are more restaurants than year-round residents here!) One of my first excursions outside Madrid with my girlfriend and I have very fond memories of this visit! My first of many visits to this town and yet it seems like weeks ago, not 7 and a half years ago!

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!

Parque de Santander, Madrid

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.

The Four Towers from near Plaza de Castilla, at dusk.

Parque de Santander, Madrid. Apparently I was in a temporarily forbidden zone - building works - and that's why nobody else is there - but I entered from a flower bed rather than a path and didn't see the warning signs. I got a severe telling off from a **** in uniform. I head-butted him into submission and carried on in my care-free way... (not really, but I do have some issues with the way this park is managed).

Unusual to see my name in Madrid! I'm trusting that I am the only ipernity presence in Madrid. What bad luck if this 'andy' views up. A court hearing in short order might be the result! UPDATE in September. I went in and spoke to the assistant who explained that the owner is called Andres but wanted to sound a little different so chose Andy as the shop name!