20090114_2353, originally uploaded by Paradise in Portugal.

From here it’s passed to one side onto a simple metal plate which is then picked up and, on it’s way over to be laid out to dry, is striated by hand with a milky mixture made of a different clay.

20090114_2342, originally uploaded by Paradise in Portugal.

… which is fired by sawdust, pine cones, almond shells and olive pips. The average loss during the process is 15%, and this, coupled with the hand made process explains their relatively high cost of approx half a euro each. No two tiles are ever exactly the same as there is always some distortion during firing - which produces the authentic “country-style” uneven floor - so destructive to furniture movement!

A special thanks to Artur and Edgar for taking the time to show us around and explain everything to us.