Build it and they will come is our dream for 2025.
Over the last seven years we've been asked about accommodations here at Homestead Albania. We've politely pointed travelers to nearby hotels because unlike most homes here in the north we have a single story house with only two bedrooms and both are occupied by us and my mother in law. Most homes in our area are multi-story and multi-family homes. We've hosted family and friend or two but that is a stretch for long term as there is only one bathroom. We've discussed a few options over the years but never landed on a solid plan until morning coffee on a chilly morning in mid February. Art and I were sharing floorplans of tiny homes, tree houses, glamping tents and RVs we had found online or on youtube. We walked the property discussing possible spots for any of the options and landed on one that we could both agree on. And now just ten months later, I am sitting inside a very warm and cozy Orchard Guard Tower complete with a gorgeous view overlooking the pomegranate orchard all the way to the Mokset Hills which inspired my first novel the Castle of Teskom.
We've dubbed the home the Orchard Guard Tower aka 'OGT'. It's two meter elevation gives guests an enhanced view of the orchard, forest, and garden but the surface below will be transformed this spring into a sheltered dining and lounging area for guests. Art has plans to make floating planter boxes for year round greens, herbs and other fruits like strawberries.
The home sits in the corner of the garden just past the olive tree with a small balcony that faces Mount Kraja (a mountain range in Montenegro on the far side of Lake Shkoder). They view from the balcony this morning.
Art and I have tested the OGT out a few nights and waking up to the orchard view and the birds has been quite dreamy. Eurasian Jays have been busy collecting acorns for the winter. We've spotted up to eight at a time flying from the forest beyond the mount behind the homestead to the trees in front of the house pictured above and back. So the OGT is inside Homestead Albania but also on the Jay Highway. We see the eagles, hawks, crows, little black redstarts, wrens, chaffinches, magpies and robins from the window and balcony.
So what's included inside the 18 square meters (194 sq ft), it combines modern amenities including a fully stocked kitchen with dishes, cookware, espresso machine, kettle, pots and pans, two burner cooktop, microwave/oven, an air fryer and toaster. We've also included herbal teas we've collected here or around the homestead.
The double bed has large storage compartments underneath for luggage and extra linens plus it faces the nearly 3 meter window. The small love seat folds out into a single bed with storage for extra linens and pillows below plus the back folds over into a table. It's great for board or card games which are included in the shelf above. We've also included a few books and binoculars to check out the many birds.
And inside our bathroom is a full walk in shower with glass partition, flushing toilet (we considered a composting one for about five seconds), vanity with two drawers and mirror plus some additional cabinets and shelves. In the corner is a full washer/dryer combo unit.
Guests can stay connected with high-speed WiFi, entertained by the TV and Projector, and enjoy the convenient USB and USB-C outlets. A shoe storage compartment with complimentary slippers at the entrance. It's a lot packed into a small space but still roomy enough to walk around and even do some yoga.
When weather is nice we have hammocks to relax in, two bikes for visitors to ride to town or to the lake both about a fifteen minute ride. And the hiking! We have a mount directly behind the homestead that leads to a magical view of the valley and the Albanian Alps and a cave to explore.
I must tip my hat to the structural engineer, welder, carpenter, septic engineer, and overall hard worker Arti Malaj! Besides the electrical/plumbing and furnishings this is all of his handy work. The only thing I can take credit for is the layout, interior design and occasional assist with some heaving lifting. Check out the timelapse of the build below.
Visit www.OrchardGuardTower.com to book your stay and visit us here at Homestead Albania.
And to finish out the year we made a round of raki from the fermented grapes and wine fromm 2022 that we didn't like enough to bottle. Check out the assembly here.
Houdini, the pig, received a new friend we are calling Camel.
We did a bit more squeezing earlier this month with the wild pomegranates collected here on property and some from family a few houses down. Freezers are busting at the seems.
So good!
We've counted and will still be counting as the year comes to an end but we've identified and captured via our camera 71 different birds spotted here at Homestead Albania.
We've added a new title to our Homestead Albania Print to honor some of the birds we've found and are entertained by. Tiny Tits at Homestead Albania by Kim Malaj is available anywhere books are sold.
