Have T@b will travel: A simpler way of life!

Imagine, no TV, no radio, no movie theatres, no shopping malls, no Costco, no Whole Foods…. No traffic, no honking, no crowds and no loud neighbours. After driving around the United States, cruising along massive interstates, and through crowded cities, the slower pace of our Portugal house sit is a welcome change. We have been going to bed as the sun falls, and waking up earlier and earlier every day. Each morning we wake to the sound of the Coo Coo bird (Cuckoo), yes they do exist and they do not coo coo on the hour! There are also wild pigs in the area. We haven't caught a glimpse of one yet, but last night I heard a happy squeal! In the distance you can hear our neighbour laughing and chatting with his wife as they work in their garden. Even further in the distance is the soft clinking of bells, reminding us that sheep and goats graze their way through the fields! The property is full of undiscovered treasures. Old granite walls built with the rocks once cleared from the fields. Overgrown garden terraces, old terracotta olive oil jars, an old bread oven… Centuries old granite bowls which were once water troughs for the animals and wash basins for the farmers. In one corner of the court yard sits an old granite table and benches, where farmers or perhaps even further back in time, where soldiers may have once enjoyed their meals. It feels like we are on the National Geographic Channel! The property itself is named "Quinta da Torre", "Farm Tower". Hundreds of years ago it was an outpost to the ancient fortified town of Marvao on the distant hill. If this is heaven I think we've found it… or perhaps a small piece of paradise! Does paradise smell like fresh grass, roses, and lavender? Today we realized we have both been whistling to the tune of Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah! Seriously!! Pinch us!!

The front gate to the property

The table and bench I mentioned. Amazing eh?! See the small carved bowl to the right?

This is the court yard of the house. Note the olive oil jar! The door to the left is the entrance to the old tower. Walk inside and it is circular, now it is only one level, but I wonder how tall it once stood?