20090114_2359, originally uploaded by Paradise in Portugal.

It’s during this drying process that paw prints are sometimes added by various dogs and cats wandering over the tiles – I quite like them!

20090114_2341, originally uploaded by Paradise in Portugal.

Having dried for a certain amount of time – depending upon the season this can be between 2 days or three weeks – it is then stacked inside a furnace, …

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.

Frost in the valley 9071, originally uploaded by Paradise in Portugal.

It’s not often we have frost at the Quinta, so when we do it’s best to make full use of it and go mushrooming in the valley.

Winter morning lake 9068, originally uploaded by Paradise in Portugal.

Dawn, with the early morning mist rising over the lake …

Christmas Eve walk 20081224, originally uploaded by Paradise in Portugal.

We had a lovely Family Christmas with Archie and Alexandra coming to stay with Daniela, I and the kids - sadly Araby is still in New York.

Sunset 20081224, originally uploaded by Paradise in Portugal.

Walking back as the sun went down ….