16/02/2026
Over the past weeks, powerful winds and relentless rain have caused widespread destruction across Portugal. Homes have been damaged. Rivers have overflowed and trees have been uprooted. Some families have lost everything. Many are still in the long process of repairing and rebuilding.
Here at Vale de Moses, we’ve been taking stock of the land, of our homes, and of ourselves.
Our haven has, thankfully, remained structurally safe. The houses are standing as strong as ever. The river is full and alive. The forest, though altered, is still holding us.
We can’t change the wind. We can’t ask the rain to fall more gently. But we can choose how we meet what nature leaves behind.
The fallen pines are becoming building material. Firewood. Future warmth and comfort. We’ve been sitting with the rings of each tree, tracing the years they quietly witnessed here. The one pictured was around 70 years old. Seasons of sun, drought, storm, growth. Their stories don’t end with the wind, they simply change form.
This is winter’s work.
To gather what remains.
To tend to what stands.
To nurture the nest.
To move with the season rather than against it.
If you are feeling the intensity of this season, physically or emotionally, may this be your reminder to take stock gently. To look after your own foundations. To care for your inner and outer home with patience and steadiness.
We are holding gratitude for the resilience of this land, and compassion for all those navigating recovery right now.
If you feel called to rest, reflect, and reconnect with nature in a grounded and supportive space, our 2026 retreats are now open for booking. We would love to welcome you into this season with us.