Deep in the heart of some of Andalucía's most divine countryside,
this is a traditional, stone-built cottage, as rustic as can
be, a wonderful little hideaway in a green and joyous paradise.
Far from the "madding crowd", with just birdsong and the soft clanking
of distant sheep's bells to keep you company, the house is nevertheless easy to
get to. Between the villages of Fuenteheridos and Galaroza, a country track leads
up from the N-433 highway to the gates of the owners' own farmhouse. The rental cottage is a couple of hundred metres away, down by the river, completely secluded with nothing
but glorious nature all around.
The path terminates here, at the property's old, rickety wooden fence. There's
a suitably rural patch of lawn in the garden, plants and shrubs lending colour.
A couple of steps lead down to the front door, under a tiled porch where you can
sit in the shade on a hot summer's day.
Inside, it's a welcoming little home, neat and tidy, furnished and decorated in keeping
with its country-cottage style. The cosy kitchen / living / dining room and the
bathroom are downstairs; upstairs are the two bedrooms (one double and one twin).
Wooden beamed ceilings, weathered terracotta floor tiles and simple, traditional
furnishings are complimented by the roughly hewn walls, painted in soft pastel
hues. It's all very pretty.
Here you are in the heart of the owners delightful, fifteen hectare ecological
wonderland of woods, water and sunshine. they have twenty sheep and also cultivate
organic fruit and vegetables, which you are more than welcome to help yourselves
to.
The property has its own little private pool too, approximately 4 m x 2.5 m, set a discrete 50 metres or so away from the house.
There's a multitude of things to do in the area, it's great walking and riding
country, there are lots of pretty villages to explore and restaurants and bars
here are above average. The Sierra is justly famous for its pata negra,
the black footed pigs which feast on the acorns which fall from the forests of
oak trees. The pork and ham products are one of Spain's great delicacies. And,
just in case you are vegetarian, the sierra is equally renown for the variety
and abundance of its wild mushrooms.
If you want to travel further afield,
head west for 50 kilometres or so and you will cross the border into Portugal.
It's enchanting, beguiling and so, so different from Spain. Well worth a day out,
as is a trip to Sevilla, Andalucía's greatest city, arguably one of the
most beautiful in all the world.
