So I've just found the perfect plot of land and agreed a sale.
24K EU for just over 2 Hectares of Permaculture improved land with a half finished Straw Bale house (or agricultural storage shed as far as the planners are concerned).
I honestly couldn't imagine a more perfect plot for the price - it's located about 5 KM south of Penamacor, and within walking distance of a local village where I can pretty much get any of the day to day goods I need, but it's far enough out to feel completely private.
It's split into two broad areas - a lower very large terrace very suitable for annuals/ perennials and fruit trees, some of which are already well established.
Here's half of the lower terrace
And here's the other half
And then there's also a larger area of Woodland up from that - a mixture of Pine and Eucalyptus with the odd cork oak - perfect for building material and bit of firewood.
There's plenty of water, although I will need to arrange for massive storage during winter to see me through summer, but it's very possible.
I had a great morning yesterday being shown around by a lovely couple, not the land owners, but their friends - and handily enough one of them speaks both fluent English and Portuguese and has agreed to translate for me with a local lawyer she recommends.
I think I've got such a bargain as the seller was 'vetting' people first and the land wasn't widely advertised - there was a Permaculture community on the land beforehand, and I'm very much happy to carry that spirit on, so we're both very happy with the transfer!
The sale should go through relatively quickly because I'm buying from someone who has all their paperwork sorted already.
But it probably won't be until after Christmas, I mean it's shut down time isn't it!
Still, happy days, now I need to start planning.