And Out

The Pool

The large new pool looks gorgeous set in the orchard below the house with the Casita backing onto it. The views up to the house and through the olive and fig trees, the calls of the birds and the general sense of peace are all good for the soul. 2m deep at the end furthest from the Casita and a shallow end next to an open tiled area abutting the Casita, the pool has 3 ladders, steps for a gentler way in, and 2 showers. There are 4 parasols with mobile/cellphone charging ports, 8 sun loungers, 4 wooden tables and 2 lilos. The Casita is set up with a fridge and basin for salads, tapas and drinks; there is also a massage table, and a log burner for the chilly days in winter. There is a ‘fire pit’ on the terrace by the pool, but only for use in winter.

The pool is lit and there are lights on the walls for those ‘enchanted evenings’.

The albercas

There are four of these water storage tanks on the property, two beside the house, one beside the garage and one at the lower end of the property. The two beside the house we have converted into connected dipping pools, the upper one is about a foot deep and the lower about 3 foot deep. The lower one’s dimensions are about 15 feet by 12 feet, the upper one a little smaller. They are filtered and chlorinated and are perfect for cooling off in the heat of the summer!

The other two albercas are used to irrigate the property.

The terraces

There are three of these. On the eastern side of the property there is an upper and a lower terrace, affectionately known at “the Upper East Side” and the “Lower East Side”. On the western side of the house, next to the main entrance, there is a covered terrace with views out across the valley The ‘Upper East Side’ is accessed either from the “Holm Oak” bedroom via a path or directly from a door off the Main Hall and has a large parasol. The “Río Tinto” dining table is on this terrace and has ample seating for 10 people.

The ‘Lower East Side’ is accessed from the ‘Upper East Side’ via a staircase or directly from a door off the lower hall.

The ‘Covered Terrace’ has a seating area with two wicker sofas, four wicker chairs and two wicker coffee tables. This patio is particularly suitable for sundowners as it looks across the valley to Cortegana. Sunsets over Cortegana are usually lovely.

The Orchard and grounds

The orchard has a number of old but small pear trees, an orange, a number of figs and a large fruiting cactus. It is a relatively open orchard. Nearer the house there are orange, 2 lemon, grapefruit, apple, quince and medlar trees, and red currant, blueberry and raspberry bushes. Various herbs are growing in the garden too. There is an explanation of where the trees, bushes and herbs are and when the fruit are expected to ripen in the Welcome Pack.

The hillside on the western side of the stream, which often is empty, is covered with cork and holm oaks and olive trees. It is alive with woodland birds.

We are visited by wild boar, deer and badgers but never see them – we become aware of them through their impact on the lawns and plants!

In all the property extends to about 10 acres in four fenced-in areas. It is surrounded by dry stone walls and fences. A small flock of sheep help to keep the grass down.