I was born in N.Ireland but went to university in England, where I met my Portuguese husband. I've been living in Portugal since 1999. We have 3 teenage children, Freddie, Emma and Olivia.
We found this house and loved the location and the view. It took a year to restore and we're always doing more (curerntçy making a sheep house for the 6 sheep we'll buy this Spring).
Hobbies? Architecture is my passion. Then - food, wine, reading, TV, cinema, cycling, walking...
There are lots of woodland walks behind the house and I'm very happy for guests to come on a dog walk with me - when the weather is good.
For me a holiday is sacrosanct. When people walk through the door I want them to feel more than at home - so every year I take stock and decide what needs updating, such as mattresses, bed linen, sofas, outside furniture.
My standards are high, so guests can expect the best when they're here.
The house is rustic from the outside (all granite) but modern and bright in the inside.
We also live at the house, with our separate entrance to the side of the house. Everybody has their privacy and independence.
On a level below the main house I rent out a Pool House (for 4 people) - they have their own house, pool and car parking space.
The apartment, significantly larger than the Pool House, has its own pool and terrace with sun loungers, a table and chairs, and with a great view over the mountains, only a minute's walk from the house.
So, overall, this is a great place to come and relax, explore the countryside around (and I give guests an up to date list of places to visit, and local restaurants - from cheap to expensive).
As I've been here for 25 years, I'm a bit of an expert on places of interest, food and wine!! And , more to the point, I like meeting new people and being of use to others. If the shoe were on the other foot, I'd like people to take me under their wing and send me in the right direction.
Hosting for me is a hobby. When that stops, I'll stop!

It's got a great view, surrounded by nature - often I see eagles in the sky above me. There is a forest right behind the house - perfect for my dog walks.
I feel as if I have the best of both worlds - in the middle of nature but close to Braga and Guimarães.
Until last year we had vines - now we've taken out the vines and are preparing the farm for a little flock of 5 or 6 sheep. It'll be a steep learning curve...
I like architecture and this house is quite typical of the granite houses of the Minho.
There is a good local restaurant in Longos and another in Balazar, so when you don't feel like cooking, you just go out and let others impress you with their expertise - and the price is very reasonable, about 10€ per head.
Here, we're in the country but only 15 minutes from Braga, 20 minutes from Guimarães and 10 minutes from the charming town of Caldas das Taipas, complete with spa, restaurants and cafés.
Porto is 1 hour away by car or by train, so you can enjoy the countryside but not turn your back on a bit of city life too.
To sum up, here you're mostly in the country but are very close to towns. So, you really do have the best of both worlds.

The view, which is splendid.
The welcome - guests always arrive to afternoon tea, and a supply of tea, coffee, milk, wine, eggs, cakes. The breadman brings them fresh rolls every morning - all included in the price. And, guests can help themselves to whatever fruit is on the trees - plums in the summer, oranges, lemons and kiwis in the winter.
Woodland walks right behind the house (you can accompany Virginia on her dog walks, if you'd like to).
The pool - with a great view. Sunloungers, a table and chairs, a fridge for your cool drinks.
In front of the sitting room door is the patio (next to the BBQ), with comfortable sofas and a table, where you guests can enjoy eating outside.
There are gardens on all sides, with a table tennis table, swings for young children, and an area to play volleyball (or amateur tennis) in front of the house.
No worries about car parking - right in front of the house.
Well located to explore the north of Portugal - near Braga, Guimarães, Porto, Ponte de Lima, Esposende...
I've been living here for 24 years, so I know the area very well and am happy to make recommendations to guests.
Many guests come back here, as this part of Portugal is beautiful, has lots to see and do, but it is still pretty quiet (in contrast to Porto itself!)