The Moors, a mixed race of Arabs and Berbers who crossed into Spain from Morocco and North Africa in 701 AD, conquered virtually the whole country in 4 years and ruled for over seven centuries. Their last kingdom, Granada, fell in 1492 AD but by then they had developed the most sophisticated civilisation of the middle ages which was centered on the cities of Cordoba, Sevilla and Granada. Lime Kiln Studio is within easy reach of these cities, on the edge of the Antequera plain.

Although no other buildings are visible from the house, the small village of Villanueva de Tapia is less than a kilometer away and boasts two banks with ATMs, various shops, a small market and as is usual in Spain, an extraordinary number of bars, most of which provide Tapas. Also nearby is the Las Palomas Hotel and Restaurant, which serves delicious food with an Italian bent and the five star Hotel Bobadilla which has a number of good if rather expensive restaurants.