A PLACE TO BE IMMERSED

The Waterfall Garden

Slip down the end of the garden and you’ll find the beating spirit of this place. The Cavalum river falls over granite boulders in the privacy of oak trees. A lagoon permits summer bathing while rock pools, water spouts and a cave tempt the more adventurous. Old steps and secret paths wind back up to the house through overgrowth and boulders.

A PLACE TO LOOK UP

The Vines

The oldest inhabitants of the house and they run the place. Look anywhere and you’ll see them, usually dancing overhead shading you from the beating sun. We didn’t have much of a taste for winemaking when we arrived but their gnarly majesty has done tricks on us. We live to serve them now and they respond by gifting us some sweet treats. Enjoy them as an outdoor reading companion or for the fresh house wines, `vinho verde style´. The wine is included with the stay as part of our well-stocked pantry.

A PLACE TO MEET

The Courtyard

The lungs of the house, a crossroad and midpoint between every space. A place to link everything together and makes it feel whole. The place you take a breathe of fresh air and wave to someone before continuing on…

A PLACE TO LEVEL OUT

The Terraces

It’s a hillside but not as you know it. The Portuguese are masters of stonework, past generations of wall builders have left us numerous levelled areas to enjoy the views across the valley.

The Eira. A 200m2 level terrace of granite. A good hard standing for anything that needs it - temporary structures, riggings, sculptures or events. Set in front of the Barn studios, it’s also a natural overflow for physical work that needs the extra space and has already hosted some performance magic. In quieter times we use it to sun dry the figs and other fruit as a call back to its original purpose of drying corn.

The Pizza terrace. Unfairly named as a lot of other foods get eaten here too, it just happens to have the pizza oven. It’s really the summer banquet hall. The midday sun gets freshly blocked by dense vines, lowers for a warm glow and a pretty light show before dropping itself behind the hills across the valley.

A large grass terrace to use for lawn games or as a sports arena depending on how seriously you take competition. An elevated cobble passage built centuries ago for the ‘grandmother’ to sit with the view and listen to the babbling canal (Grandmother was evidently a dreamer and clearly knew how to execute a vision). Secluded grass terraces for yoga and many small terraces that make ideal outdoor working spots (with shade and good wifi coverage).

A PLACE TO GROW

The Kitchen Garden

An important terrace outside the kitchen, special for the food it produces. The ingredients in our well-stocked pantry. It’s also a space to learn about farming and to get your hands dirty. The garden is cultivated using a blend of local techniques and permaculture ideas with a focus on soil regeneration. We love to share what we’ve learned and encourage all the courtmates to get involved. Gardening is known to quiet the mind, reduce stress and blood pressure and is the perfect antidote to a life spent in front of screens. It’s also really fun. As most of our guests stay for a season, it’s a rewarding opportunity to witness the growth of a seedling to food on the table. Or if that’s not your thing, you’re free to walk around and eat the fruits off the trees like your adam, eve or steve and that’s welcome too.