On Explore

Granite rock window. Overlooking the Valley of Bustarviejo. This was taken on 25 May, last year. I haven't walked anywhere in the Sierra since. Please take my word for it; this is a true rock window - I just couldn't quite get all four walls in the shot. I see photos from this Sierra on various sites but never this view. Why? Because to get here you need to scramble and to take (calculated) risks. It's never clear that you will get to a panoramic view or a rock window until it suddenly appears! Plus, there are no restaurants anywhere near so a Spaniard wouldn't even consider a walk here. 'Sandwiches!!!!!!- Are you kidding??'

Almost an English woodland glade! Parque de El Capricho, Madrid suburbs.

Street art, Madrid and the Cuatro Torres

La Sierra de La Cabrera. My favourite Mushroom Rock can be seen from here but only the cap; the stalk is hidden. Can you see it? Clue: it's on the horizon.

From the roof terrace of a flat I stayed at for a couple of years.

El Fraile from Collado de Entrecabezas. Granite extravaganza.

From Riofrio, to Mondalindo in the mid distance and on the horizon, L to R; Sierra de San Pedro, La Pedriza, La Cuerda Larga, La Bola del Mundo, and Peñalara (the highest peak in the mountains here). La Sierra de La Cabrera is behind me.

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

The Sierra de La Pedriza; its less frequented eastern flank.

On the Southwest Peninsula Coastpath between Logan Rock and Penberth cove.

Nowadays, Gwennap hamlet is in St Day Parish. However, until the late 18th century - when St Day became the major tin, copper and arsenic-mining centre of the world, St Day was in Gwennap parish. Today, both places are utterly insignificant, and all the better for that!!

Madrid has some pleasant corners such as this.

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).

Poppy field near Algete, Madrid Province.

Carn Gloose or Gluze, Ballowall, Saint Just, Cape Cornwall. Granite scenery.

Monasterio Convento de San Julian y San Antionio below its granite backdrop of Las Canchos Largo, Gordo y de La Bola.

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!

South West Peninsula Coastpath. Computer playing up again. I might have another enforced absence for a while :o( Stay safe everyone!