I was born in N.Ireland but went to university in England, where I met my Portuguese husband. I've been living in Portugal since 1999. We have 3 teenage children, Freddie, Emma and Olivia.
We found this house and loved the location and the view. It took a year to restore and we're always doing more (curerntçy making a sheep house for the 6 sheep we'll buy this Spring).
Hobbies? Architecture is my passion. Then - food, wine, reading, TV, cinema, cycling, walking...
There are lots of woodland walks behind the house and I'm very happy for guests to come on a dog walk with me - when the weather is good.
For me a holiday is sacrosanct. When people walk through the door I want them to feel more than at home - so every year I take stock and decide what needs updating, such as mattresses, bed linen, sofas, outside furniture.
My standards are high, so guests can expect the best when they're here.
The house is rustic from the outside (all granite) but modern and bright in the inside.
We also live at the house, with our separate entrance to the side of the house. Everybody has their privacy and independence.
On a level below the main house I rent out a Pool House (for 4 people) - they have their own house, pool and car parking space.
The apartment, significantly larger than the Pool House, has its own pool and terrace with sun loungers, a table and chairs, and with a great view over the mountains, only a minute's walk from the house.
So, overall, this is a great place to come and relax, explore the countryside around (and I give guests an up to date list of places to visit, and local restaurants - from cheap to expensive).
As I've been here for 25 years, I'm a bit of an expert on places of interest, food and wine!! And , more to the point, I like meeting new people and being of use to others. If the shoe were on the other foot, I'd like people to take me under their wing and send me in the right direction.
Hosting for me is a hobby. When that stops, I'll stop!