Urban shots

The main Plaza, getting ready for the annual fiesta with bullfights. I don't know what the T represents.

Another view from the rooftop terrace bar. On the horizon, the Sierra de Guadarrama.

The oldest house in Madrid. The oldest door is a little way down the narrow alley way on the left of the tower (you can just see the right-hand white surround). This square was the old market and meeting place in mediaeval Madrid. The Lujanes family were the local bigwigs in the 14th and 15th centuries. This was before Madrid became important. Earlier Kings and Queens of Castilla had sometimes held court here but it was a small provincial town compared to the royal cities of Valladolid, Burgos and Toledo. Only when Phillip II decided to make Madrid one of his more permanent residences, did its central position in the Peninsula seem obvious for a centralized beaurocracy to govern Spain and an empire. From the late 16th century onwards the population of Madrid increased exponentially I caught a lucky break between the streams of guided tours but I had to wait ages for it!

The hotel roof terrace, looking the other way.

This is taken from a hotel rooftop on the Gran Via, in Madrid's centre. (Don't even think about buying a g 'n' t there!)

By the side of La Torre de Los Lujanes, dated mid to late 15th century. Possibly earlier as there is still some Moorish influence there. Shot taken in a very narrow alleyway. Camera to one side of head as I squeezed right back against the opposite wall. I couldn't see what I was taking. Pure guesswork and the first take was the one!

I think they are still lived in. Miranda del Castanar, Sierra de Francia, Segovia province.

Hoyo de Manzanares, Madrid Province

Originally the major Roman settlement (Complutensis) in what is now the Madrid area, and situated approx 10 miles east of the modern city, Alcala de Henares was the early university centre and houses the (excellent) archaeological museum for Madrid Province. The vast Ciudad Universitaria (University City) complex in Northwest Madrid is named Complutense in honour of the original university here and after its original Roman name. It is also one of the places that claims Cervantes as its son.

Unfortunately this place, which was highly rated, had had a recent change of ownership and the service was awful and the food only marginally better!

Turegano was an important town many years ago but it suffered population decline along with all the lesser towns and cities of Spain. Now it is just the castle ruins that keep it on the tourist trail.

Chinchon, Madrid Province is very pretty and very touristy. I visited on a Monday in April, so it was pleasantly tourist-horde free.

I used to come here fairly regularly to take a company class and later a private class nearby. Occasionally I felt the urge to take a shot or two.

Another in a series by Sam 3. All three are in the same housing estate. I posted this one a while ago: www.ipernity.com/doc/2247598/43766368/in/album/1187368

A tiny 18th century garden in the heart of old Madrid, restored in the 1990s and 2000s.

A famous artist but I have lost the details. Someone helped me out before with another of his works of art. I will try and find the notes and edit this description when I do. OK, done. The artist is Sam 3. Thanks again Jim Kerslake. www.sam3.es/painting.html

Old door in Maderuelo, Segovia Province. Night shot.

Principe Pio mainline and metro station, Madrid Sight and sound: www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1zFnyEe3nE For no other reason than I love Janis Joplin, just as I love the voices of Amy Winehouse, Aretha Franklin, Bessie smith, Joni Mitchell, Maggie Bell, Billie Holliday and Patti Smith, among many others. And maybe because these wonderful heartfelt and expressive voices need to be sung out in railway stations, shopping malls and government institutions (shades of Cuckoos Nest perhaps). On second thoughts I'm rambling on and it's long past my bed time!