How'd we get here?

Reminiscing today, while floating on the water watching independence day fireworks, about how we found our finca, the aptly named C'an Do. Two years ago this November, while visiting the young Cyrus, doing his semester abroad in Rome with Cornell, we hopped a plane to Barcelona, on a lark. Already the proud landowners on a piece of property in southern Spain (another blog :), we were searching around on the internet for something with more acreage and a ruin. For some reason possibilities popped up in Catalonia. And that is what took us to Barcelona, via Rome. From there we rented a car and headed to the Priorat, Gratallops specifically. Met Waldo and Cristina, Angel and Monse, toured crazy backwoods properties with various expat Brits turned real estate agents. Met Jeff, more than an expat. Stumbled upon C'an Do on a beautiful fall day in November, perfectly blue skies, fell in love with it, and here we are, awaiting permits to reclaim a marvelous 20 acres in the Montsant. Not sure what it was; the olive trees, the casita, the blue sky, the desire for a new perspective. This is the mystery, the stuff of dreams, the magic of life. It is a project that will test our patience, determination, and stamina. What we long for is a slice of heaven on earth, a place to build up, a treasure to leave the babies.

Just got an e-mail from my friend Cristina in Gratallops. The well permit we have been waiting for seems to have arrived in Falset, unbeknownst to us. We went through all the legal procedures at the Agencia Catalana d'Agua in Tortosa, under the guidance of the ever thorough Jeff Greensmith (fincasdirect). On that same visit, we took a tour of wells and vineyards in the area with a representative from Besó Palleja. Turns out they have secured some sort of permit, not sure how. We needed a permit to clear land, plant vines, set up irrigation, etc. Perhaps that's the permit they've secured. Always an adventure.
One thing we've learned is follow procedure, be attentive and respectful of the law. And yet there are twists and turns. As the network expands, so does possibility.
If you ever want to visit the Priorat, and I recommend you mark it on the map of dreams we all keep pinned to the wall, go to Gratallops. The most delicious wine imaginable, and vistas beyond belief. Find Waldo and Cristina at Cal-Llops (cal-llop). You won't be sorry. Their story is a marvel, their hotel a slice of heaven.

An inspiring film

Just watched a fabulous film about farming, life, poetry, poverty, loss, gain, life. This next phase of life we are planning is a leap of faith. Not the same program. We know little about farming olives, planting grapes, living on solar, water from a well. But, hell, we didn't know anything about raising a family and that turned out stupendously. The bumps and twists are what keep you on your toes. An olive farm in Spain has been on the radar. Let's see where it takes us.
Check this film out. It's inspiring. http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/realdirt/
(realdirt)

Plans are heating up

Casita plans are coming along. Our architect, the invaluable Cyrus A. Dochow, is coming up with some great solutions. It's a daunting task to go from 3,400 square feet, which is what we live in now, to 500 square feet. But we are up for it. This is the new order, my friends. Gone is the model that involves overconsumption. We rattle around our present house like lost souls. Our dream of olive trees and vineyards, solar existence, and a year round vegetable garden are fast becoming a reality. Stay tuned for further developments. We await permitting for the well. Our man on the ground, Jeff Greensmith at (fincasdirect) is doing a splendid job of working his way through the permit maze. If you ever want to find your dream property in Catalonia, contact Jeff.
I have been developing infrastructure to make my creative life viable wherever I may find myself. The sarasutton label (sarasutton) is developing nicely, our jaunts to the greater NY area developing new friendships, building a solid client base. This last round lasted two weeks, and we were fortunate enough to crash at the dwarfbaby (dwarfbaby) compound with Violet and Shane. And I finally have a site up for my artwork at (saradochow). All growed up. Stay tuned for the further adventures of Tapas Smurf and his Pitufa.