Construction update April 2026
The dream is increasingly taking shape in Macisvenda.
We are now back in the Netherlands and look back on a special week in Spain. A week in which everything became a bit more concrete again.
We arrived early on Monday morning, April 20, and were immediately welcomed by beautiful weather. Temperatures that felt good right away and that typical Spanish light. As always, we stayed with Dick and Evelien in Hondon de las Nieves, our regular spot. It was super cozy, and by now it really feels like coming home. Enjoying a nice meal together and playing games is a standard item on the agenda.
A wonderfully relaxing Monday. First, I went grocery shopping at Mercadona. Delicious ham, freshly sliced. Those are the little things that immediately feel good here.
After that, we drove on to our site in Macisvenda. Along the way, the sheep were grazing peacefully. The landscape, the tranquility, and the pace—it remains remarkable how different it is here.
Construction will have to wait a little longer.
A few days before departure, we had already received an email from our contractor, José Antonio Ruiz Marco. Construction has not started yet, but he expects to be able to begin in about two weeks. All necessary building permits will be secured by then.
Through Facebook, we have also established contact with a Dutch couple who have lived in Macisvenda for years. We hear a lot about our contractor through Monique. He is known for being reliable, comes from a family of contractors, and has been building in this region for years.
That gives us confidence. We really hope it starts soon now.
A site that comes alive
On the grounds, the amount of greenery and flowers immediately caught our eye. You wonder how that is possible on such a hard surface, but everything is growing and blooming profusely. That contrast is precisely what makes it so special and confirms time and again why we chose this spot.
New insights from the air
We brought a drone along on this trip. That provides a completely new perspective on the terrain. We still need to practice a bit, because sometimes it was out of sight for a moment. Fortunately, it has a return-to-home function. Especially handy if you lose track of it for a moment. Which happens quite often.
We took a photo of the terrain near the camper pitches with the drone. Using AI, we were able to draw up various layouts.
That provided immediate clarity.
Consciously choosing space and tranquility
Where we initially considered five camper pitches, we will now probably opt for four.
More space, more peace, and more privacy.
The campers are positioned at a slight angle so that everyone has an unobstructed view of the valley. That sense of space and freedom is central to us.
Days full of choices and inspiration
On Monday we had lunch in Hondón de las Frailes. For example, smoked salmon and fried, seasoned cauliflower. Simple and delicious. Afterwards, we took measurements and reflected on the grounds. Wonderful to be back. How beautiful it is there and how good it feels.
On Tuesday, we visited various outdoor furniture stores. A beautiful selection, but it remains a search for the right balance between price and quality. We take another step forward every time.
On Wednesday, we went to a garden center. We looked at palm trees and yuccas and thought about the layout.
Along the path by our property, we saw beautifully colored succulents.
Later that day, we had lunch at La Font in Hondón de las Nieves, a typical Spanish restaurant with delicious fresh vegetable soup.
On Thursday, we went to the tile shop again. Sometimes you just have to see things one more time to be sure. That feeling was right. We also found beautiful furniture for the casita, the guesthouse. On the way, the water basins were nicely full. You can see that immediately reflected in how everything is growing and blooming.
Consultation and technical choices
We spoke at length with José Antonio Ruiz Marco. Cindy was also present; she speaks perfect Spanish and translates for us. This makes contact much easier and ensures that nothing is lost in communication.
We discussed floor tiles and a solar panel system that can also operate off-grid. Everything is becoming increasingly concrete. During this conversation, we also learned something new.
A swimming pool may be a maximum of 1.50 meters deep if you offer it to paying guests. If it is deeper, you must have a lifeguard.
How we handle permits in Spain
During this week, we also had contact with someone who has similar plans. That brought us back to the beginning of our own journey.
Permits in Spain are not always straightforward and vary by region and even by municipality. The zoning of the land is always the first step. In many cases, it concerns rural areas, where not just anything is allowed.
Additionally, you will have to deal with tourist permits as soon as you receive guests for payment. In some regions, this is quickly viewed as a campsite, resulting in stricter requirements. We notice that the rules are slightly more flexible in Murcia, especially if you keep it small-scale. In regions like Alicante and Valencia, the regulations are often stricter.
It is important to know that the tourist permit is often only issued after everything has been completed. This makes it nerve-wracking and requires a careful approach.
That is why we have chosen to keep it small, with a maximum of four spots. This fits the surroundings and makes it more feasible within the regulations.
What helps us enormously is good contact with local people, such as our contractor and parties familiar with the municipality. They often know exactly what is and isn't possible at a specific location.
Small things that stand out
Refueling in Spain is much more pleasant than in the Netherlands. We saw petrol prices of around 1.38 euros per liter. This is partly due to measures by the Spanish government, such as lowering VAT. Combined with the hybrid car, that was a nice bonus.
It is starting to become increasingly real.
And all that at temperatures between 24 and 28 degrees.
Every day brought new insights and choices. Small steps forward, but steps that make a difference.
What once started as an idea is now becoming increasingly concrete.
And every time we stand there and look out over the valley of Macisvenda, we know for sure. This is the place. We are going to create something beautiful here.
And the best part is, it doesn't stop here. In May, we are already heading back to Spain, this time for a short stay with friends. We will be staying at Casa de Pina in Hondón de las Frailes, right next to Macisvenda.
Just enjoying the moment, but of course also checking how things are going on our site.
We are really looking forward to it.
To be continued.
Greetings from Nathalie & Richard
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