Favourite trees

Throwing an impressive shadow! In the distance are the highest peaks of the Sierra de Guadarrama including Penalara, La Maliciosa and Bola del Mundo.

The three hills (seen here as one) comprise La Machota Chica, La Machota Alta and El Fraille. They give great views over San Lorenzo de El Escorial, the enormous palace-monastery built by Felipe II.,

Parque del Capricho, Madrid

By the side of the Roman Road near Zarzalejo and El Escorial.

La Sierra de La Cabrera. granite and juniper.

Autumn view from the woods to the iconic palace / monastery. The mountain of Abantos behind.

A large park to the west of the city centre (formerly a royal hunting park) and from here overlooking Madrid's northern business areas

This tree is visible from miles around. La Sierra de La Cabrera and the Valley of Bustarviejo. A wintry April day.

Those of you 'in the know' will remember that she simply will not tolerate a frontal photo (for no reason that I can see!) The park of El Pardo, northwest of Madrid.

Sierra de La Cabrera, view over the Lozoya Valley.

A favourite tree. Good to eat my packed lunch here in its shade. Sierra de La Cabrera, Cero de La Cabeza

I DELETED MY UPLOAD of this shot of a couple of days ago by mistake. So I have posted it again. Sorry!!! It was fairly popular and many of you made nice comments and awarded yellow stars (it was also on Explore) :o( If you would be kind enough to repeat your kind comments, I would be very grateful! Thank you!!!!

A large natural park to the northwest of Madrid, home of a major royal palace.

An oak tree thriving in a crack in the cliff face of El Cancho Largo. La Sierra de La Cabrera. And no, micritter; this wasn't my route up the cliff! Nonetheless this route is perfectly 'do-able' without ropes but only with a good head for heights!

Granite wall invisible under the vegetation! No need to ask which way the wind blows!

Lane between Carharrack and Saint Day

Pyrennean Oak, Autumn, El Escorial.

The famous palace-monastery, seen from the Herreria Woods (mainly holm and Pyrenean oak), with smoke from an autumnal bonfire (appropriate for November 5!) and the slopes of Abantos behind. There is actually quite a substantial town there, more or less hidden by the bulk of this enormous edifice! When Felipe II had it constructed, it must have been the largest building in Europe at that time. He needed a big place to run his Empire from and for hundreds of monks to pray for and with him! Best viewed on max enlargement.