The estate lies close to Girona in Catalonia, Spain. I was first taken there by my client, in the form of a mystery tour. He had prepared a wonderful picnic, and after a brief breakfast at his home on the coast we departed. After a drive of approximately one hour we arrived onto tracks and ascended. Eventually, we arrived at a large house in the centre of 350 hectares. It was a moment of awe. I felt an instant affinity to this place even before I left the car.
So a book of stories and facts? A document to both inform and stimulate which must also be enjoyable. The estate had a long and tumultuous history, which became a part of the book. The past informs the present and creates context for the experience of the place. The future required a possible description.
A narrative (novella) was an indulgence, therefore highly enjoyable, that allowed an exploration of what might happen in the nearish future of the place. It includes ‘sketches of encouragement’ for people visiting the site.
The book exists as a plan, a gazetteer volume of information, and a cookbook. The recipes inside are all dishes that can be made from ingredients that can be found on the land. It is intended to stimulate and encourage.