A stone cottage with good weather: CAMINO DE SANTIAGO AND THE RIBEIRA SACRA

A stone cottage with good weather

The house, which has been run as a smallholding in Spain, is in southern Galicia about forty miles from Portugal. Built in 1691, it has been described by an estate agent as 'a unique stone farmhouse in Spain,' and by another as 'almost paradise'. There are, of course, lots of other farmhouses modernised to a high standard but in the Spanish manner - yuk!.

This one has been renovated with all it's character intact like an old cottage in UK - beams, stone walls etc. It's heated by wood-burning stoves, but also has constant gas hot water, UK television, plenty of electric power, and telephone with ADSL and wifi. The renovations have made it possible to divide the two floors so as to make a separate flat for letting. But it also makes a wonderful retirement home in Spain - I know because I'm retired.

The finca (field) is currently used partly as a vegetable plot (including a polytunnel), and partly as an orchard and garden. It has water, power and a brick workshop. There are other Brits around for support, but not overwhelmingly so. Most are into eco-farming on organic smallholdings with chickens, pigs, rabbits etc. Our neighbours are great.

There are five other houses in the hamlet, four minutes walk from the village, which has banks, bars, shops, school, a Post Office, garage, clinic, petrol station, swimming pool, and a 12th century monastery. 8 kilometers away is the local town which has everything, including a castle, four supermarkets, schools, hospital etc. From there you can get buses or trains to anywhere. The nearest airport is Santiago de Compostela.

There is a beach 15 minutes drive away. The area has mountains (skiing), rivers, trees, cows etc. It's like UK 50 years ago. There's almost no traffic or crime, no pollution, no nasty council tax (around 100 euros pa.). If you're looking for good weather, it can get hot, but the winters are mild - you can often sit outside in Jan and Feb. jhbottrill@gmail.com Price £92,000

Tuesday 13 August 2013

CAMINO DE SANTIAGO AND THE RIBEIRA SACRA

Roman Spain and culture in Northern Spain

CAMINO DE SANTIAGO AND THE RIBEIRA SACRA IN GALICIA

Northern Spain is full of history and culture, particularly Galicia. The principal towns have lovely mediaeval centres where there are mediaeval fairs and weekly markets. Communications are good, and you can get to most places by bus, motorway or train.

Although some towns such as Santiago de Compostela in Galicia are now World Heritage sites, most aren't touristy, and it is a joy to see old Spain in towns like Aviles, Lugo, or Orense and fishing ports like Cudillero.
Santiago is, of course, at the end of the Camino de Santiago - the pilgrim route.
Cantabria has Santander and Bilbao with cultural draws like the Guggenheim museum.

The Romans were here, of course, and you can tour the Roman gold mines.
The Moors left their traces in the steep terracing supporting grapes. The Christian reconquest of Spain began here, so there are lots of castles, town walls, and cathedrals.
The crown prince of Spain is called the Prince of Asturias. The Ribeira Sacra in Galicia is the area along the river Mino. It has the greatest concentration of mediaeval churches in the world.
And the whole area is steeped in prehistoric remains - wonderful Celtic villages.

Lugo has the most incredible Roman fiesta in June.

Every town. every village, has its fiestas. These fiestas are always a surprise.The Spanish are born knowing about them, but expatriates never know when fiestas are occurring. Towns also have theatres, museums and a cultural or tourist office. This will know about cultural trips and Roman and mediaeval history in Northern Spain

A stone cottage with good weather