Shepherd's Rest

24/01/2025

Month In The Mountains is BACK for 2025! We began planning almost immediately after our last event, and we’ve picked September because it’s a stunning time of year here in Andalucia 🇪🇸

To find out more about what it’s all about, send us a private message or email [email protected]

24/01/2025

We started hosting families in 2018 and haven’t looked back…

We value time as a family, enjoying outdoor living and adventuring. We love sharing what we have found here in Andalucia.

We welcome others for how ever long suits their journey. Come join in and become part of the tribe that is growing here.

Get in touch, we’d love to help you plan your stay!

www.shepherdsrest.org

21/01/2025

Why Stay at Cortijo Serendipia?

⭐ Rural Mountain Retreat – Experience true countryside living while being just a 5-minute drive from Oria village.

⭐ Communal Living – Enjoy the best of both worlds with apartments and shared spaces.

⭐ Spacious Communal Farmhouse – A unique setting with four apartments.

⭐ Expansive Grounds – Explore 12 acres (4.8 hectares) of stunning olive and almond groves.

⭐ Communal Living & Social Spaces – Enjoy shared indoor and outdoor areas for a welcoming, community feel.

⭐ Healthcare Access – A 24-hour medical center with an ambulance service is available in nearby Oria for peace of mind.

⭐ Perfect for Nature Lovers – Surrounded by breathtaking landscapes, ideal for hiking, wildlife spotting, and outdoor adventures.

20/01/2025

All these places of natural beauty within 1hr of Shepherd’s rest!

Neither Tabernas nor the Geode: this natural jewel is the most unknown in Almería

Almería is a province that is home to impressive natural wonders such as the Tabernas desert, the only desert in Europe; the Pulpí Geode, one of the largest geodes in the world that can be visited; Las Canales de Padules, a perfect oasis for lovers of hiking and canyoning, or the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park itself, with its virgin beaches and volcanic landscapes.

However, in the heart of the Almanzora Valley, there is a lesser-known but equally spectacular jewel: the Urrácal Strait. This gorge, located in the Salada ravine at the foot of the Castillico hill, is an impressive natural passage sculpted by water and wind over the years, creating geological formations of great beauty. The walls of the gorge are several metres high and, at their narrowest point, are barely a metre and a half apart, making it difficult for sunlight to pass through and offering a unique experience for visitors.

For decades, access to the gorge was blocked by the dense vegetation that grew in the gully. Over time, natural flooding helped to clean the channel, but the construction of dams caused the accumulation of oleanders, blackberries and other bushes, preventing passage. Thanks to the clean-up work carried out in recent years, it is now possible to walk through this gorge and enjoy its spectacular landscape.

The Urrácal Strait is the highlight of an 11-kilometre hiking route, which begins at the entrance to the village of Urrácal, near the AL-6102 road. The route is circular and takes about four and a half hours to complete, offering hikers panoramic views of the surroundings, with stops at places such as the Los Gacheros farmhouse and old mills that took advantage of the flow of the irrigation ditches.

Upon reaching the gorge, hikers face narrow terrain where they must cross small rocks and the stream on several occasions. The uncertainty about the water level adds an element of adventure, as at times the passage may be interrupted.

This gorge has become an essential destination for nature lovers, who can enjoy a unique experience in one of the most emblematic landscapes of the Almanzora Valley.
Source: la Voz de Almeria in English using Google Translate

20/01/2025

Why Stay at Shepherd’s Rest?

★ Village Convenience – Located in Oria village, just a 10-minute walk from essential amenities.

★ Local Amenities – Enjoy easy access to 6 bar/restaurants, 2 butchers, 2 bakeries, a Sunday market, gym, padel court, football ground, pharmacy, post office, ATM, and 4 convenience stores.

★ Healthcare Access – A 24-hour medical center with an ambulance service nearby for peace of mind.

★ Traditional Farmhouse Setting – Stay in one of three self-contained apartments attached to a family home.

★ Scenic Views – A shared courtyard and roof terrace with stunning views of olive and almond groves leading to distant mountains.

★ High-Speed Internet – All apartments are equipped with fibreoptic internet.

★ Outdoor Spaces – A communal garden with seating areas, a fire pit for summer BBQs and cozy winter evenings.

★ Family & Child-Friendly – Plenty of safe outdoor areas for children to play and explore.

★ Blend of Rural & Village Life – Enjoy a peaceful countryside feel while staying close to village life and amenities.

20/01/2025

This morning this group flew right over our us! Are they migrating?

18/01/2025

There's nothing better than convenience when it comes to going on mini adventures! The dog guard and shelf combo from Bison Gear is perfect for our vehicle!

Today we explored our land at Cortijo Serendipia, which got us thinking about future projects...

18/01/2025

A little paint here, a little colour there 🧡

17/01/2025

These Families are Trailblazing the Future of Schooling.

What we call “Traditional schooling” (structured education with age-based testing, standardised curriculum, and teacher-led instruction) has only been dominant for about 150-200 years. This model became widespread with the rise of industrialisation in the 19th century, when governments sought to standardise education to prepare workers for factory jobs and national bureaucracies.

Well, this is the opposite. We want families to work together on customised education pathways for their children. We want parents to be able to be present whilst their children grow. We want children to have agency over the person they want to be one, and the working life they want to lead!

Many worldschool’ed children are becoming self employed entrepreneurs, from a young age. They are growing up in different cultures, with mixed aged children…this is the complete opposite of the ‘schooling’ of the last few hundred years. These families are trailblazing the future way of schooling.

17/01/2025

Granada is a stunning city just 1h35 from us so perfect for a day out or night away.
A wealth of history and beautiful architecture.

Albayzin, Granada, España

15/01/2025

We stripped away what didn’t matter, so they could focus on what does. When we create space for curiosity and connection, so much can unfold naturally.

It’s about creating a simpler, more intentional path.

15/01/2025

Happy Birthday marshmallows tonight 🔥

14/01/2025

4 weeks later and it’s time to sweeten the fire cider and see how it’s infused! 🔥

1 Onion, Head of Garlic (10/12 cloves), 3 inch of ginger root, 12 cayenne chilli, Teaspoon of turmeric, Teaspoon of cloves, Fresh rosemary and thyme (a few sprigs each) 2 cinnamon sticks, Lemon zest and juice from 1 lemon…Fill up the the rest of jar with apple cider vinegar.

30 days in a cool dry place, shake once a day. When ready, strain and add honey to taste.

1 small shot every morning!

11/01/2025

Connections that start at Shepherd’s Rest & Cortijo Serendipia Worldschool Community last a lifetime!

10/01/2025

Historical day trips don’t have to be boring!

10/01/2025

While embracing the new year with plans and dreams, take a moment to reflect on the past and remember the journey that brought you here - Before & After of Apartment Zurrio

07/01/2025

Learning to make God’s eyes in the sun room at Shepherd’s Rest. Thanks for for introducing this to everybody!

06/01/2025

The Four Cornerstones of Shepherd’s Rest & Cortijo Serendipia.

Parenting with Purpose
• Emphasise the importance of active parental engagement in children’s lives.
• Promote guidance, support, and positive role-modelling throughout their stay.
• Cultivate a strong emotional connection with your children, helping them build confidence, empathy, and the ability to navigate challenges.

A Community Where Everyone Belongs
• Design accommodations to bring together like-minded families.
• Foster a sense of community where everyone feels welcome and valued.
• Connect families with immersive educational experiences that highlight local cultures and environments

Nature & Wildlife: Discover, Protect, Cherish
• Encourage families to connect with nature and observe wildlife in their natural habitats.
• Teach children the importance of protecting the environment and caring for animals.
• Opportunities locally for hands-on adventures that inspire a love for nature and its creatures.

Building Bonds, Creating Memories
• Provide an environment for families to strengthen their bonds through shared experiences.
• Enable parents and children to create lasting memories together.
• Build friendships and connections with like-minded families from around the world.