La Drova, near the ancient village of Barx in La Safor, has existed since medieval times and was given to the monks of Santa Maria de la Valldigna in 1300 as a place for invalids to recover in the clean, cool mountain air.

It is a tranquil and beautiful valley, surrounded by mountains, and is popular with summer visitors from Gandia and Barcelona as well as various European people who have moved here permanently and the many old Valencian families from Gandia and Barx who live here.

It is also the home of the internationally famous poet Josep Piera, whose many poems, travel books and essays have won him prizes including the "Andromina" for novels in 1977, the "Carles Riba" for poetry in 1979 and the "Josep Pla" for literary prose in 1981.

He lives in a spacious villa overlooking the mountains which feature so prominently in his writing.

I went to meet him in his study, lined with books and striking modern art, to talk about his work and the landscape and language which inspire him so much.