Wondering how this wonderful experince change me to be peaceful person. I met my nephew Sonja, who had told me news around the world. (Sonja is that type of girl who is able to travel all winter in South-America ending up to keep a horse farm)  She had been last winter 8 months in Portugal to take care of horsefarm run by Lagosta Perdida family. This wonderful family just needed housekeepers for a while. What is Lagosta Perdida? Lost Lobster in Portugal? www.lagostaperdida.com  I would go there anytime! It has been my "compostela walk in a domestic way".

The place is extraordinany in many ways. First it is situated in the middle of mountains, high c.1000, National Parque Montesinho. Montesinho is a village, where lives about 35 people. I think a bit more.... but they are all very frindly, timid and leave you a plesant freedom. The streets are old and narrow, the houses are renovated in a very qualified antic way or they are just ruins. This house, called Lagosta Perdida is nowadays a flagship accomodation. It used to be the biggest house, stable, in village. The architecture of this LG is amazing, 3 floors, stonewalls, wooden floors, particular living, dining and library spaces. Each room has high c 3-4 metres and a luxury barhroom, wonderful beds & linen. 

I was housekeeping the place over 2 months with my ex-collega. Lea has been a hotel manager and chef. We just played this is now "our place" and we do what we can. (We did have some suprises with the heating systems and snow.) Most of the days when the portuguese sun was shining You felt to be in paradise. Winter in Portugal is like a spring in Finland.  The housekeeping for the guests was the pepper of the story!  On Valentine`s Day the house was full. Running the full house is a nice challenge, as you are cooking the dinner and breakfast for c. 15 person. Never the less it happens very rare. The normal period bookings are couple of reservations for a weekends. Then you meet families from England, Portugal, Spain or anywhere. We had a very nice feedback from them! They loved the cooking & the place. Portuguese people are charming, but you can not be sure what they are thinking. I have read finnish filmaker Aki Kaurismäki saying: " I lived in Portugal for 20 years and still do not understand them". I can imagine that, but who can undertands finnish in 100 yrs?

 Each and everyone had been astonished how silent, elegant and calming this place can be. They arrive in a hectic way, and - CLICK - something magic happens.... time is like floating slower there...You feel sorry to go away.

I realized the magic of Montesinho might be in your mind. The fact that You have arrived in a place where the local people are not in a hurry, dogs friendly, cats calm. You start to think that is how life should be always. The Peace that allows to take break and breathe. That is you can call magic.  Bookings  www. lagostaperdida.com