Urban shots

Some of these in the old quarters of Madrid are artistic and pleasing.

metro and mainline station. The mainline trains run horizontally along the raised track (across the centre of the pic, I couldn't wait any longer for a train as I would have been late for a class!) and the metro trains are below (which kind of makes sense!). Madrid public transport.

Patones de Arriba, Madrid Province

The public space at the 'new' ministery buildings (on the left), looking towards the Azca business centre (the commercial heart of the city in the 80s and 90s and perhaps even now to some extent).

One of the main transport hubs in Madrid

I understand that there used to be an equestrian statue of Franco on this spot. The large complex of Nuevo Ministerios was designed by the famous architect Secundino Zuazo in the 1920s. Work started in the early 30s, was delayed by the civil war and resumed under Franco who changed the design to suit his own more conservative tastes. There were teeming hordes of people a split second before I lined up my mobile phone and ... miracle of miracles ... the teeming hordes parted and I was left with a clear view of this.

with the Azca business centre behind. I've taught at all the tall buildings you see but not yet at Nuevos Ministerios, itself! Only a matter of time - I have taught at government departments but at other locations in Madrid.

on a stormy day. This has to be for Pam too. It's a typical English West Country coastal town shot. Even without the sea as a backdrop, it couldn't be anything else!

Arcaded outer perimeter of the Nuevos Ministerios buildings designed by Secundino Zuazo in the 1920s. Work started in the early 30s, was delayed by the civil war and resumed under Franco who changed the design to suit his own more conservative tastes.

old wall, church and street in Chinchon, Madrid Province

Real Madrid's stadium from Torre Europa, where I used to give classes (at KPMG). I also taught at Real Madrid here (not the players, although Gareth Bale could do with some English lessons) but to the marketing directors (Very Important People in the club's hierarchy!).

For 20 years (1988 - 2008) this was the tallest building in Spain. I have taught many students here over the years: Deloittes, Management Solutions and others. I like the design of the tower. One of my architecture students can tell me all about its design! (I mean Spanish students of English who are architects!) Sight and sound: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSicpZAxN-c

I used to like the Dock Inn. One reason was the fact that I would go with my Spanish brother-in-law and he enjoyed the banter with the Spanish fishermen who frequented this hostelry! But in the 20 or so years since then, It has always been shut when I pass by. So I have no idea what it is like now.

A pleasing town and with good restaurants for Marta's favourite, roast lamb. She can eat it lunch and dinner. It is a speciality of restaurants in Old Castilla. No reason for this Sight and Sound choice at all except that I like it and haven't heard it since I was 15 and tried to incorporate the jazz / funk style into my keyboard playing at the time (and failed!) Sight and Sound: www.youtube.com/watch?v=v5exICoS8P8 A bit long, especially the intro, but I would do the household chores to it such as polishing the hereditary silverware!

I used to give classes twice a week for a few years in this southern Madrid district so became familiar with this station, as well as the 15 minute walk through a less than salubrious area of Madrid. But I'm a big lad and wot with the skull 'n' crossbones tattoo on my forehead, I had very little trouble here!

Typical side street in Madrid's Malasana District. And 'Ecobooks' - These are not books on ecology and saving the planet, Eco as a prefix means economical; in other words 'cheap books'.

Still not facing the camera and in the shade too! I remember a very hot Summer's day in October!

Steam house for tropical plants, near where I used to live, in north east Madrid.