Las Machotas and the view down to the palace monastery of San Lorenzo El Escorial

Many thanks, John!

What fantastic countryside Andy. A wonderful view from this angle - but there again you had to climb up to get that view.

Indeed, those 2011 shots are in sequence, Jenny!
I did follow a long-ish route in the only English guide book to the Mountains of Central Spain. (Written about 15 years before). The walk I followed took in the palace of El Escorial, the wonderful Herrería Woods, the Roman Road, the lovely village of Zarzalejo and the mountains of La Machota Chica, La Machota and El Fraile. It then guided me down what should have been an easy way back to the town and bus station.
HOWEVER!!!!
The guidebook, wonderfully well written as it was, and full of warnings about changing boundaries, rights of way, etc, led me down a path that simply ceased to exist and was just a horrendous tangle of wild rose and bramble. I couldn't go back the way I came; that would have taken 6 hours - so, even without machete or flame-thrower, I bravely tackled this fearsome jungle.
..... .... ....
The people in the bus queue later were very worried about me. My clothes were completely torn to shreds and there was blood absolutely everywhere (death by a thousand cuts!), But I hadn't realised how bad I looked! I had had to fight my way through a couple of kilometres of thorns, of course I would look a complete mess. I am just grateful that the bus driver (may he ever be given green traffic lights!) agreed to accept my fare!
Pleased you like the shot, Jenny! :o))