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Situated in the east of Asturias |
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| Location:
Asturias is a green and fertile autonomous community on the north coast
of Spain. The rainfall is similar to England, while the
temperature averages 4 degrees warmer. Our village is an hour and a half
drive from Santander (Ryanair) or Asturias airport (EasyJet) and half an hour from
the popular beaches found along the north coast. Driving inland one is
soon in the foothills of the Picos, whose dramatic snow-covered peaks
begin to dominate the landscape. The fertile lower slopes are studded with
typical Asturian villages. Our particular patch is called the Valle de
Cabrales where the growing of maize and fruit competes with areas set
aside for hunting (wild boar). The ever-present sonorous distant bells of cattle and goats
could be mistaken for wind chimes. The village: Berodia is at the end of a winding mountain road three miles from the main valley traffic. This is an ordinary tiny working community with few facilities beside a small church. Several houses are empty or occupied by goats with a midden gently maturing outside. The old folk sit passing the day by the fountain under the chestnut tree. The more energetic set off at dawn with their scythes to cut patches of grass to bring back for their livestock. The more efficient cattle byres are set away from the village with tractors and milk lorries servicing them. Our friend Maria-Eugenia is the live-wire of the village running two holiday houses and a cheesery. Her products are found in all the local shops together with Cabrales cheese and local cider that makes the region a focus for "gastro-tourism" |
 Seen from the south-east |
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The House: This has to be the most enviably sited house in the village. We are aiming at 4 star accommodation. It sleeps 6, with three en-suite bedrooms. Living is on the upper floor where the generous open plan leads on to a huge deck. The un-interrupted panorama is breath-taking, looking across a fertile well-wooded bowl punctuated by the church and a handful of houses of Lower Berodia. The distant mountains appear and disappear in the morning mist. We have parking for 2/3 cars and a small garden. |
 The house faces south and east |
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| Things to do: Local
markets selling local foods. Cheese museum. Choice of local bars and
restaurants. Un-spoilt beaches within ½ hour. Fishing, hunting, hiking,
climbing, canoeing, riding, quad-bikes, skiing. Sight-seeing e.g Covadonga
monastry and mountain lakes. Cable car and funicular railway. Spectacular walks
(e.g. Gorge of Rio Cares).
Contact:
julian@westleyfarm.co.uk.
Tel: 0 (+44) 1285 760262 |
 The house from the south-west |
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