Segovia Province

Pedraza, Segovia Province at night

Situated in the spectacular Hoces del Duraton, Segovia Province. Built in the 13th century but flattened by the collapse of the rocky spur above it. I couldn't find any reference to loss of life so I presume (and hope) that the monks abandoned it at the first sign of danger! Viewers have suggested enlarging it (the photo, not the monastery!)

No one about on a Saturday afternoon in September. Siesta time of course! Shops shut and many bars and restaurants closed for this sacred time of rest! It is a typical Spanish scene so in Sight and Sound some typical Spanish music from Paco de Lucia. www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oyhlad64-s

Hoces Del Duraton, Segovia Province. Try large!

An excellent restaurant in the main square.

Sierra de Guadarrama. Near journey's end. A long drive back to Madrid from Cornwall in 2015. Done in 30 hours, including a night stop in Roscoff, Brittany.

A poor hobbled horse. Not easy to see but there is a chain between the two front legs. The Spanish often just don't get why others see them as cruel towards animals. They get indignant even ... and then you see sights such as this; and of course there is bullfighting.

Found in Pedraza, Segovia Province

Pedraza, Segovia province.

Monasterio de La Hoz, Hoces del Duraton. (Hoz = sickle, hoces = sickles, relating to the sharp meanders of the river Duraton) Situated in the spectacular Hoces del Duraton, Segovia Province. Built in the 13th century but flattened by the collapse of the rocky spur above it. I couldn't find any reference to loss of life so I presume (and hope) that the monks abandoned it at the first sign of danger!

A reservoir begins below me. Behind me, a little way upstream is the Monasterio de La Hoz, seen in an upload or two back. (for Keith).

Old door in Maderuelo, Segovia Province. Night shot.

Palacio Real de La Granja de San Ildefonso, Segovia Province. Sight and sound; www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FOUqQt3Kg0

I really enjoyed our visit here today (sorry, yesterday). A much less intimidating royal palace than El Escorial, just over the other side of the Sierra de Guadarrama.

The gardens and the Sierra de Guadarrama. A much less intimidating royal palace than El Escorial, just over the other side of the Sierra de Guadarrama.

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.

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!

One of many villages we looked at. The purpose was for my girlfriend to find a cheap and cheerful bolt-holt to do up and use to escape from Madrid at the weekends. And if I'm a good boy, I might get to share it too sometimes! Sight and sound: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2oyhlad64-s I tried to add this to the group Sight and sound but seem to have reached the max allowed. I don't understand. I add about 2 a month. How can I have exceeded the maximum with 2 in one day? .................. OK I have just read the rules. One a day!!