Old buildings

The clouds came back again later that day but they didn't produce another snowstorm, fortunately!

St Michael's Mount from Marazion, high tide.

Night time doorway in Maderuela, Segovia Province.

... or Huer's Lookout, Portreath, Cornwall. The Huer had to look out for the coming of the pilchard shoal; when seen, the town would galvanise into frenetic but well-practiced action! The nightmare scenario was if it was missed because it passed by in the night! In which case somewhere else in Wales or Ireland benefited.

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!)

The castle at Miranda dei Castanar, Salamanca Province. The students have to bring their own chairs. They do things differently here!

One of the most famous churches in Madrid, situated between the Prado and the Retiro Park, it was built in the 15th century and has seen many a royal wedding. And no, It wasn't named after the famous Apache chief!

La Puerta de La Fuerza.

One of the many ruins comprising this famous mine. Chapel Porth, St Agnes, Cornwall

On the St Ives to Land's End coast road. Once voted the most scenic coast road in England. This horsey shot was taken from the same place. I just couldn't get horsey to play ball and appear in the above shot! I didn't have an apple with me! www.ipernity.com/doc/2247598/44437208/in/album/935408

Plaza Del Rey, Madrid

There are many old towns, surprisingly close to Madrid, that are comparatively tourist-free such as Colmenar de Oreja.

Built in the 1830s and abandoned in the 1950s when the roof fell in. Now a shell but still impressive. Saint Day is situated on a slight granite rise and this church can be seen from miles around. Today there is a modest church across the road for the small number of C of E worshipers adapted from a terraced cottage, and a small chapel for the equally few practicing Methodists. 150 years ago there were many Methodist and/or Wesleyan chapels of different and often fiercely contested denominations (Wikipedia has a 34 page list of these!) serving the extensive mining communities here; nearly everyone belonged to one sect or another (vastly outnumbering the Anglicans). Next to my parents house is a very large (disused) church for the Primitive Methodists; its most recent incarnation was a (very noisy!) workshop for agricultural machinery.

The bells still chime merrily away, now digitally operated rather than by hand as in Victorian times.

The entrance to Miranda del Castañar, Sierra de Francia, Salamanca Province. And as soon as she saw the camera she turned round sharpish, of course!

Gurnard's Head tin mine.

In old Madrid. I know the Spanish flag of course - and there have been a lot on display since the Catalunyan goings-on but the other flag? Puzzle! What is the 'other' flag?????