Andy Rodker's photos with the keyword: Chamartin

I don't like it but I was struck by it.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2_2HCWjSVI Sight and sound.

Chamartin Station car park on derelict land and the Four Towers. Sight and sound; www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cAn98BmUtQ A totaly stupid video and a nonsensical song but I found it very catchy!

Good quality street art is light years away from the usual rubbish you see. Derelict land near Chamartin Station, Madrid. I think this was unfinished when I passed this way a year ago. I will re-visit and report back! I do hope it hasn't been demolished for a housing estate! Although I'll wait until the temperature falls below its current 106F (42C) as there is no shade anywhere near here!

At all other times of the year this little patch of ground is totally nondescript. But come spring ... ... ! A roadside shot, halfway between the Four Towers and Chamartin station, Madrid.

Currently the tallest building in Spain (the one on the left, a Foster creation, as if I needed to add this!) . There have been plans to build many more on this site but minor irritations such as the Recession, corruption scandals, etc keep getting in the way!!!! These towers were built between 2005 and 8, The site for their construction was purchased from Real Madrid's President, Florentino Perez, at an incredibly inflated sum which some say was the Con of the Century'. Madrid's Municipal Authority bought half. The site was that of Real Madrid's former training ground. Florentino Perez went on a spending spree buying all those 'Galacticos'!

Real Madrid's stadium from Torre Europa, where I used to give classes (at KPMG). I also taught at Real Madrid here (not the players, although Gareth Bale could do with some English lessons) but to the marketing directors (Very Important People in the club's hierarchy!).

More street art has appeared recently. Chamartin Station car park, Madrid

I think the graffiti and vegetation go well together here. Next time I pass by, only the graffiti will remain, I suspect!

Again probably unfinished but I like it as it is!

Even though it's a bit OTT, I like its exuberance!

John, these were the building styles to which I was referring (the shot was going to be for a Friday, but I decided against it). These are actually a little bit posher and certainly more expensive, as they are a little closer to the centre, than the ubiquitous suburban blocks. The green area looks pleasant enough but it is wasteland and is a dirty yellow colour for 11 months of the year.

As an English teacher and interested generally in such things, I am always amused at the predominant use of English (OK, American English), rather that the vernacular. To my mind it would have given greater authenticity and authority if it had been in Spanish.

I had a class cancellation today so was left in limbo for an hour or so. As I had to pass through here anyway I remembered these recent murals and so took time to record a few. I will post more over the next few days and weeks.

Taken in Spring 2014, please ignore the exif date - always wrong in this camera and no one has been able to fix it! This is an area due for complete redevelopment. It lies between the Four Towers and Chamartin Station and has been an eyesore since the beginning of the recession (except for a few weeks in Spring!). I did have to remove a few beer cans and empty cigarette packets first!

The Four Towers from Chamartin Station, Madrid