Urban shots

Plaza de las Comendadores, Malasaña, Madrid.

One of the oldest churches in Madrid

Azca, Madrid. This temporary ice-rink had yet to open, I think they were putting the finishing touches to it it as I passed. I had just come from taking a class at Torre Picasso behind, resplendent in green for the season!

A back street in Tetuán, Madrid. Torre Picasso lit in green. All the yellow wheelie-bins lining the pavement show that it is plastic waste collection night.

From half-way up Torre Picasso, Azca. Madrid

Well, I think they are the upper parts of ventilation shafts with grilles to stop birds getting in. There is reflection back from the building where I am taking the shot. I don't know what the material is to allow the reflection as I can't imagine glass would be used. One or two of you got very close - well done!! ~~~And Nora, you were easily the closest; Very well done indeed!!!!!~~~ Sorry no prizes. Just for fun!

Taken from a balcony of a previous flat. I will post another shot soon which might, but only might, shed some light on what this is! And even though I have included it in HFF, don't let that fool you!

An attractive part of town. For Pam.

I hadn't thought I was in danger because I never see cyclists here but as I was lining up this shot, this chap whizzed past me using some choice Madrileño invective - and justfiably so! I should have known it was a cycle route. Served me right! This pedestrian and cycle pathway lies above the M40 motorway ring road.

Sierra de Guadarrama, snow-capped. A view from the offices of the most important man at a major Spanish bank that i shall refrain from naming. This august personage, and a good student, kindly allowed me to take this photo, strictly against the rules of the building! Shot taken through thick glass. The tall buildings seen here are the first two of the Quatro Torres. They hide the other two.This near one is a Norman Foster design and is still the tallest building in Spain.

This walk and cycle way is over one half of the M30 Madrid motorway ring road. A dull and rainy day

'Open-plan'. Metro and mainline, trains, tracks and passengers (not to mention shopping mall, food hall, cinema complex - the usual suspects) all sharing the same 90s designed space. It actually works very well imho. All built within the old mainline terminus of the Estaciòn del Norte (you can see the impressive ironmongery of the old terminus at the top). Sight and sound. Just like it and always have ever since I first heard it every morning stuck in a traffic jam on the M40 into London. Silly video but great pop song! www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvAnQqVJ3XQ

Currently the tallest building in Spain (the one on the left, a Foster creation, as if I needed to add this!) . There have been plans to build many more on this site but minor irritations such as the Recession, corruption scandals, etc keep getting in the way!!!! These towers were built between 2005 and 8, The site for their construction was purchased from Real Madrid's President, Florentino Perez, at an incredibly inflated sum which some say was the Con of the Century'. Madrid's Municipal Authority bought half. The site was that of Real Madrid's former training ground. Florentino Perez went on a spending spree buying all those 'Galacticos'!

Penzance, Cornwall. Back streets. My grandmother lived for many years not far from here, a little way down the hill and to the right. She had great views of the harbour and St Michael's Mount. No fences though!

Public space in front of the New Ministries building complex, Madrid. (1920s to 1950s) The 70s, 80s and 90s Azca business centre is in the background.

Only once in a blue moon! In theory it is my room and my parents still call it that as it has all my stuff from the years 2009-2010 (A long story!). In practice I haven't slept in it since 2012 as it is used as the guest bedroom and there are always guests when I visit in August, so I have to sleep in a box room!

Office blocks at Cristalia, a modern (well, 80s) commercial estate to the north east of Madrid where I teach three times a week. Shot taken from a footbridge that crosses the M30 motorway (an inner Madrid ring-road).

HFF everyone! (A 13 minute walk each way from metro station to a class 3 times a week and I am already very bored with the scenery. This is the most exciting spot on the whole monotonous route!) Motorway divided exactly into half shade and half sun!