Gorgeous house, inside a protected nature park

This house was beautifully renovated from a ruin in 2014. Situated in the heart of the Portuguese nature park, furnished and fitted to a high standard. You will not be disappointed. Sumptuously spacious, modern and superbly comfortable. Thick walls keep it cool in summer, but warm in the winter. Surrounded by cork, olives and oak, the house was protected by these deciduous trees when the fire of October 2017 hit the area. You can still see burned pine across the valley. There is excellent Wifi. Please note children under 12 stay for €5 per night, payable on arrival. A Cot, bedding and freshly washed baby toys are provided on request. Please pay €8 for this addition to cover laundry costs only. This property won't feel like a rental because it's just too lovely. You will feel, 'at home' here. The house is gorgeous inside and fully equipped for family living. During the winter, the whole house is very warm, with very comfortable sofas and a large well stocked open fire as well as wall radiators. In the summer, because the walls are thick and every window and door has additional mosquito blinds, you won't feel hot or be bothered by insect bites. If you have little children, there is a high chair and cot. (Please give me notice for the cot to be prepared) I add age appropriate toys such as lego and a large brio train set. If you like cooking, the kitchen is properly equipped for just that with additional gadgets for juicing, blending, crockpots, coffee maker etc. Bed linen is always cotton or Egyptian cotton. Both beds are new. The second bedroom has a large brand new bed and mattress July 2017. Curtains are heavy and lined to keep out the sun and to keep the house warm in winter. There is satalite TV and wifi. The open plan lounge and kitchen are very comfortable and has wonderful views of our valley. Guests have the use of the entire house with the exception of one back room which remains locked. Besides the stunning open kitchen, lounge and dining room, there is a downstairs wash room and toilet. Through a back door from the kitchen, there is a small area for drying laundry and access to the boiler room and water tank room and steps up to the large sun terrace. Internal stairs take you up to two bedrooms with a large bathroom one bedroom has double door access to the sun terrace too. Do not drive down the track unless you are in a 4 x 4. Please park just above the property. It's a short walk down (4 minutes) but not suitable for ordinary cars. We live moments away, along the private pretty stone path between the two properties. We run a business as nutritionists and hair analyists so will always do our best to be on call for you as much as possible while still needing to work! We also grow organically and rear hens, ducks and sheep and have a 6 year old daughter to care for. (And three grown up sons and daughter!) With all of that in mind, we will of our very best to help you at anytime of the day. When the fire storm passed through central Portugal, our small community took a terrifying hit. We have become very close and very supportive. We know every family who lost everything they owned. You will be welcomed here with such gratitude. The local Portuguese have been burned too and the love and care we feel for each other is something quite special. You can walk to the waterfall Fraga da Pena in less than 20 minutes from the house. The waterfall pool is warmest late evening! All the wonderful walks around us now reveal many previously hidden terraces and steps as the deep undergrowth has burned away. However now, a year on, everywhere is greening up and the undergrowth has recovered . Autumn has arrived again and it is beautiful here! You'll need a car for food shopping. Please park just above the property on the track. Access to the parking space in front of the house is only suitable for 4x4 vehicles. (We are in the process of gaining permission to block pave the track to allow all vehicles easy access) I am happy to meet you in my Nissan Navana if I am free and will drive you down with your luggage. Please arrive before 8pm in the summer and before 7pm in the winter if you want my assistance. Our family is very early to bed and early to rise. You will need to check in without meeting me on your arrival, if you do arrive after these times. The lights will be on and door unlocked in this case. To walk down takes 4 minutes but it is a dirt track and a little rough. YOU WILL NEED A TORCH (unless you have amazing night vision) do try to arrive please while it is still light for your own ease and comfort. THE OPEN FIRE Please enjoy a complimentary open fire with extra logs in the basket. If you would like additional wood please leave a donation. More is stored outside the back door under the steps. After the fire of October 15th 2017, fire wood has become very expensive. I pay a local Portuguese man €40 for a cubic meter. Also my lovely neighbour Duncan who lives in the little farm house below has been paid for his hard work, sawing and gathering precious fire wood on our land for you. There is a mixture of chestnut, pine, cherry, cork and olive wood. Olive is very hard and is prized for its durability, colour and high combustion ...The olive trees grow very, very slowly, which results in a close, dense grain and smells lovely! Please do appreciate this wood and leave a kind donation towards replacing any you use. Many warm and toasty thanks Heather