This week, my 366 Photography Challenge takes me beyond Aberdeen as I explore the beautiful cities of Madrid and Granada in Spain. From painted cows to stunning architecture, each image captures a moment of my holiday adventures. Here’s a look into the images I captured during Week Forty-Three.

Day 286: Parade Cow

Our photo journey this week begins in Madrid, Spain. After a late arrival and a long queue for a taxi at the airport, we reached our apartment, conveniently located within walking distance of Madrid’s main tourist attractions. Around the city, we spotted an installation of painted cows, which brought back memories of a similar installation in Buenos Aires in 2006. It's nice to see them again, but now in a different country, married, and with a teenage child.

Day 287: Royal Palace of Madrid

Our first day in Spain was warm, with only a few light showers. We strolled around the gardens of the Royal Palace and toured the interior of this magnificent building. The elaborate decoration of the different rooms deserves a dedicated blog post, which I’ll share once I return from my October break.

Day 288: Royal Botanical Garden in Spain

When we first arrived at the Royal Botanical Garden, the light was harsh, which I typically avoid for photography. However, traveling with family requires some compromises. Fortunately, the light softened as we continued our visit. I chose to capture an image of artichokes in the garden because I love their architectural form.

Day 289: Celebrating the Architecture in Madrid

Day 289 was spent exploring Madrid’s beautiful architecture. After a visit to El Prado and a stop at one of the city's charming cafés, I captured this image of a dramatic dome on our way back to the apartment. The angel atop the dome, with clouds gathering behind it, caught my eye. The word "Metropolis" on the building was an extra treat in this shot.

Day 290: Granada

Of all the places I’ve visited in Spain, Granada remains my favourite. On this trip, we stayed in the countryside at a house with a pool, much to my daughter's enjoyment. We arrived late due to a road closure, but with the help of some locals, we found an alternative route. The narrow streets of the old towns presented some challenges for our large vehicle, but that only added to the charm.

Day 291: Saleres – Granada

We took it easy on Day 291. After enjoying coffee in the sun, my daughter swam while we relaxed by the pool. Later, we had lunch by the poolside before heading out for a beautiful walk up the hill to the neighbouring town. We walked 8 km under the sun, surrounded by orange, lemon, and avocado trees. Along the way, I picked some wild pomegranates – a delicious treat during our walk!

Day 292: Saleres – Spain

Sunday was a relaxing day for us – after all, we are on holiday. My daughter went to the pool several times, and my husband and I felt a little lethargic. We’re used to rushing around during the year, but now we’re enjoying a holiday where we’re not racing around, even to visit places, as we used to. We took a short walk to explore the neighbouring town, and I took the opportunity to capture an image of Saleres, where we’re staying. I still love walking around the orange, lemon, fig, and olive trees, along with so many other fruit plants in the area.

Week Forty-Three of my photography challenge brought a mix of family moments, beautiful landscapes, and stunning architecture. Even during a holiday, the photography journey continues, capturing new perspectives and cherished memories.

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Bye for now.