We’re Off to House-Sit in Galicia… and We’re Bringing Our Dreams With Us
Sometimes life hands you exactly what you didn’t know you needed—wrapped in a slightly fluffy cat and a wood-burning stove.
This September, we’re packing up our lives (again), loading the car, and heading off on our next adventure: a six-month house sit in Galicia, Spain.
We’ve been offered the chance to look after a beautiful rural home and three well-loved cats belonging to Lisa and Steward, who moved from the UK 18 years ago and have created a peaceful, fulfilling life in a small Galician village.
Nestled among rolling hills, quiet lanes, but not far from a small town with all services, and the larger historical Monforte de Lemos - their village sounds perfect - It’s the kind of slower rhythm we’ve been craving—a chance to pause, reconnect, and truly experience life in Galicia, village by village, trail by trail.
Lisa and Steward have generously invited us not just into their home, but into a way of living that’s deeply rooted in simplicity, community, and connection to nature. And honestly, whilst we are torn by leaving the life we have built in Castlerea, we know this is the right move for us, and we can’t wait to build an experience we can share. Esta Vida in Spanish means “this life” or “this lifetime,” and life is simply too short not to continue to grow, learn, experience, and take the occasional risk at any age!
Of course, September isn’t here just yet—and The Workshop in Castlerea continues to run classes as usual for our June–July Summer Term.
We’re offering a limited class timetable, and at the same time, we’re quietly looking for the right person to take over the studio and carry on its next chapter. If you’ve ever dreamed of running your own wellness space, this could be the perfect opportunity.
✅ Fully equipped
✅ Loyal client base
✅ Competitive rent & rates
✅ Ready to walk in and start
What This Means for Esta Vida Retreats
This house sit is more than a change of scenery. It’s a leap forward for Esta Vida Retreats, giving us time to:
Explore venues that feel soulful and authentic
Meet local collaborators and wellness practitioners
Walk trails, soak in hot springs, and visit hidden towns
Refine the experience we’re creating—especially for women 45+ who want joy, movement, community, and space to breathe
We’re building a retreat that balances gentle activity with good food, great company, and local culture. And we can’t wait to bring you along.
We’re So Ready
This adventure might not have been in our original business plan, but it feels just right.
We’re beyond grateful to Lisa and Steward for trusting us with their home and for sharing their local wisdom, teabags, and their beautiful feline collection.
So this September, off we go—hiking boots, yoga mats, wine corkscrew, and a whole lot of hope—ready to live esta vida ("this life") more intentionally.
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