Rural accommodation with pool in Spain, sleeps 2

Planet

We are continuing the traditional way of life here and have taken a lot of care to keep our part of the sierra looking natural but well maintained. We have solar energy so no ugly power lines.We are lucky to have a rich wild life on the sierra, especially rare species of birds which are left undisturbed in their craggy nests. Extremadura remains, perhaps, one of the richest regions of all Europe. Of course we express richness not in economic terms, but in a healthy environment, traditions, gastronomy and cultural & historic heritage. Mixing features of Andalucía and the two Castillas regions in Spain with the Alentejo region in Portugal, is a land waiting to be discovered with huge and extremely important bird populations and an incredible variety of species. Extremadura and its wild and unspoilt nature covers 41,602Sq Kms of the Iberian Peninsula’s surface, of which more that 30,000Sq kms have been catalogued as IBAs (Important Bird Areas). More than 75% of the territory!

Extremadura has almost all the ecosystems represented in the Iberian Peninsula, except for coastline and seashores. High mountain ranges with altitudes above 8,000 feet, highlands, rice fields, wide steppe areas, isolated relict Mediterranean jungles and the most extensive Cork forests in the world. From North to South, or East to West, you will discover one of the richest places in Europe for birding. Thousands of Common Cranes and raptors know it, coming back every year to over-winter or breed.

The land surrounding the barn is mostly wooded with cork oak and holm oak, also ancient olive groves, we have been careful to maintain these old trees in good condition, using the pruned branches for firewood in the winter. It is especially important to keep the holm oaks pruned as they are the source of acorns which feed the black, iberic pigs producing the famous jamon iberico of Montanchez.

You can walk straight out on to one of the many caminos across the mountain.

People

We employ local people for all our building, renovating and farming work. We also give a significant boost to the local tradesmen through our property selling activities, we try to guide the renovation as much as possible in traditional ways and methods which we have used in our own home. We contribute to the important local jamon iberico industry by letting local farmers use parts of the land for their iberic pigs to eat the acorns. We buy all food and wine for the molinos from local establishments. By attracting outside people to the area with our accommodation and activities we help the local shops and restaurants with new clients.

In winter local farmers use parts of the sierra for their free range pigs. We have initiated a programme to revive the callejas, pathways, of the sierra dating back to Roman and Moorish times. Many have become choked with brambles and weeds.

We have cleaned all the old callejas near the barn and surroundings and encourage the local councils to do the same. It is so important to keep these ancient ways open as they provide wonderful riding and walking, giving access to the remote, high olive groves and vineyards and the great views of the higher pastures.