Treehouse Living

Just an introductory few remarks about living in a treehouse in Portugal. Actually, it's an organic cork farm and the treehouse is a part of it. The main building is up the top and then the treehouse is to the left and downwards in the photo. It's up a big walnut tree. No electricity yet and the only running water is that which I've piped down from a local spring. Bit chilly in the Winter but makes up for it come March. I'm in the middle of a huge project to rejuvenate the whole farm and intend to keep a journal on this blog. Please feel free to leave any comments or suggestions. PS sleeping here is like a dream if that makes sense, total relaxation.

Fishing

Whilst I can't pretend that I yet catch all of my food, there is pretty good fishing at the coast. Nice to paddle out and hand a line from the surfboard. There's also some quite particular local shellfish delicacies. I've recently started using a speargun which has added a new element. The picture shows some of the locals fishing off a cliff near Monte Clerigo.

Hidden Valley

The treehouse and farm are are the meeting of three valleys. One of the three is truly a hidden valley enclosed with tree-lined cliffs with a stream running down the middle. All you're likely to meet here is the odd wild boar or javeli as they call them here.

The view

I pretty much have the whole of the valley to myself save for the odd goat herder who might be passing occasionally. The view is pretty awesome. Spot the picnic table ready for a barbecue down the bottom.

Surfing

When I'm not working on the farm, the waves are pretty good down here in the south west of Portugal. Here's one of the Arrifana right.

My big bath

The first thing I needed to do on this old Portugese farm was to build myself a big bath for that cool summer dip. Maybe went a bit over the top on size. Had the diggers down in the hidden valley for a couple of days but well worth the intrusion. Got to say this is a great place to swim no chemicals just crystal clear sring water.