Good Morning Portugal! Casa do Dia: 'Cabin in the Woods' Central Portugal

Published: Dec. 31, 2019, 9:54 a.m.

EVER WANTED TO 'GET AWAY FROM IT ALL'? PRESENTING: YOUR 'CABIN IN THE WOODS'!

We've all been there, haven't we? Had enough of the rat-race? Got sick of too much month and not enough money? Thought that there must be more to life than the treadmill of making-ends-meet? And even been inspired by the likes of Thoreau, with his invocation of life beyond mere living:

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life..."

I know I have. In fact, that urge would not be silenced, and powered me onward for ten years, eventually taking a chance on the life I now love and live in Portugal. That said, it seems I'm a bit of a lightweight. Although the middle of nowhere was where I thought I was headed here, we've settled in a small town, not a rural hide-away.

Those fab folks at Pure Portugal recently helped me realise just how domesticated and urban I've become. This beauty of a property and plot - Roots Farm - nearly had me dusting down my loin-cloth and whittling knife, with its stunning, remote location, off-grid credentials and abundant food production.

Can you picture yourself here? Maybe its like an away from it all spot-the-ball, where you put an 'X' where you can see yourself harvesting fresh fruit and veg, sipping some freshly squeezed juice (with juicer powered by solar, of course), or just soaking up a few rays in remote tranquility.

For €75,000 (yep, €75,000!), you can live near overhead-free with just a local, property tax of €28.00 a year. This off-grid gem generates its own power and has its own water source.

The 5x5m wooden cabin is insulated, double glazed and has a large log-burner/oven combo plus a large veranda looking out over amazing valley views. Adjoining are a workshop and bathroom, and above are twelve solar panels.

Nearby are extensive ruins and the current owner has 'EarthShip Academy' plans drawn up that have been submitted to the local council - the intention being to have a totally legal and completely self-sufficient homestead.

There's an outdoor kitchen space, composting toilets and outside showers, as well as a borehole. Fruit and nut trees can be found in the just-under-a-hectare of land, set over three terraces, thought to have once been a cherry farm.

Here, you're 30 mins from the progressive town of Fundão and 45 mins from Castelo Branco and Spain!

The place even has it's own website and social media pages because plans were in place for its use as a retreat centre.

Yes, it's a dream property with much of the dreaming already converted into reality, as you'll see in: 'Roots Farm - The Movie'! - https://youtu.be/McyqL5mPqNA

All enquiries: https://www.pureportugal.co.uk/property/fct75-roots-farm

And contact me - carl@carlmunson.com - if you need help on the ground over here.