Hi all, I just joined this site today and it seems that this thread, which is still pretty active, might be a good place to start posting. I am from the UK but this year I have moved to a ‘cortijo’ stone cottage, in southern Spain, about an hour from Granada and two hours from Malaga. It's in a small valley with a track which leads into the local town, about 20 mins walk away, which is a hub for the variety of hippies and other ‘alternative’ incomers who have settled in the area over many years (
http://www.granadaspain.co.uk/orgiva-capital-of-la-alpujarra/) .
The land here is planted mainly with olive and almond trees, on 7 terraces (4 acres) leading down to a small river which flows part of the year, and with the agricultural water channels, developed by the Islamic population who for centuries inhabited this region, also flowing nearby. It’s beautiful and peaceful, surrounded by mountains but not remote. I have been spending this first year, with the help of a series of visitors, developing a garden infrastructure, ready for the possibility of building cabins and yurts around the land. The intention is to develop a non-commercial retreat centre along Epicurean lines (societyofepicurus.com), and applying organic and permaculture principles to manage the land. It is secluded around the house, and for most of this year it has been very much a ‘clothing optional’ environment, so naturists will fit in here. I’m open to visits from those touring Spain, or for anyone who would be able to stay and help out for a few weeks, maybe longer. It’s also very steep here so visitors need to be pretty fit, especially if planning to work. Message me here for further info. I am 59, and a retired psychologist. Thanks, Ian.
