WHAT A SHOCK - OUR LAND in PORTUGAL (Van life Europe)
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- Опубликовано: 1 дек 2024
- Van life Europe - We're back in Portugal at our off grid land that we haven't seen for over 4 months, we arrive and are shocked at what we find.. Learn a new language: Get the best deal on ALL Rosetta Stone subscriptions here; partners.roset...
We were last on our land in July and have only ever seen it in the summer where everything was so dry and overgrown, so what does our off-grid land look like after all the rain they have had on the peninsular? we really din't expect this...
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Thanks for watching folks, so what do you think of the Land:) Learn a new language: Get the best deal on ALL Rosetta Stone subscriptions here; partners.rosettastone.com/the-expawers1i2
Love it . I wish it was mine 😂
The land looks fabulous!!
The van build, off travelling & now your tending to your new land.
Lots of variation & great content.👋
24:33 "we had a mouse"... sorry to break it to you, but there's probably hundreds around that land. Trust me, I know.
@@jimbob-robobIt will give the dogs something to chase.
Hello! From what I can see you have some wonderful olive trees that are full of olives. As I am from Greece and my family owns olive trees, I have to inform you that now is olive season! Starts from November until January. You need to pull them down and then find an oil pressure in your local area to make some olive oil. You can't eat the olives even when they are ripe, because they are very bitter there is a procedure that the olives can be made for consumption. I think a good idea is to find a local to guide you. You can pick olives with some small rakes. With the rake you brush the branches and they fall down; because you don't want your olives to fell straight on the ground you need to lay underneath a special net for olives. After picking them put them in crates, the plastic ones that the greengrocers use -so as not to get mouldy - and straight to your local olive presser. You will be amazed of the olive oil you will get! But first ask locally for extra advice. If l start writing all the details it will get me ages!!! All the best with your new venture! Take care of your olive trees! You have a fortune there! All the best from Greece! Anastasia
Permaculture as devised by Uncle Bill Mollison. Rain water calming and collection. All organic matter to be mulched around trees and fence line garden. Do not burn unless necessary for pathogen. All wood ash, kitchen scraps, wood chips, (imported fresh manure) to One only especially compost heap - to be strictly managed by “aerobic principles” NB aerobic compost “cooks” (and kills seeds, pathogens etc at 65* C. Therefore place near Shower external for cheap , hot water. Etc etc ☝️❤️✌️🌍🙏🇦🇺
Are you planning to move onto this land?.
Yes! Completely agree - get cracking with your olive harvest! We had 26 olive trees in Cyprus, and usually harvested about 80-90 kg, which gave us 20-22 litres of oil. We had enough to have our own personal pressing at the mill, which was such a special feeling! (If you don’t have enough, it will be pressed with the community pressing, which is still pretty special! ). We had two types of olives - the larger ones for pickling and eating, and smaller ones for oil - they looked like nothing at all, but gave bountiful amounts of oil, so check what you have, and don’t worry if they look tiny! I really envy you having your own olive trees - it was a bit of a shock when we ranout of our own oil after coming back to the UK, and had to start buying it again! We wish you well! xx
Hi Sarah and Nick . There's always google and RUclips for guide on gravel laying etc . Obviously. I don't know how you plan to harvest your olives but if you're going to beat them off the trees , be careful . Wear Goggles to protect your eyes . Nick , the beard is looking great ! 🙂
Hello. Hello. I have olive trees in Portugal. Always remember that an olive tree would secretly really like to be a bush. So keep an eye on the off-shoots at the base of the trunk. Chop 'em off!
Don't use plastic sheeting as it will break down over time and make a mess. Dig out about 6cm of soil then put down a heavy weight landscape fabric (google "landscape fabric"), then lay 6cm of 3/4- gravel (I don't know what the equivalent would be there but the gravel pieces should be about 1-2cm). Don't use river rock because it will be hard to walk on. After the 3/4- gravel put a layer of finer gravel to fill in the gaps. Also, you are in a PERFECT area for amateur astronomy (dark, clear skies for most days). You've got a great spot there, enjoy!
Thats good advice about the gravel, its .20 mm (3/4 inch), dont use plastic as it wont let the water seep through it
Thrilled that it looks so beautiful and has made you so happy. Enjoy xx
How wonderful to find your land almost transformed into something less daunting! Your filming is amazing by the way. Keep up the good work lovelies ❤️
We collect cardboard boxes, remove any plastic or sticky tape and unfold them laying them flat on the ground (touching). We then put weed control (what you called plastic Nick) on top, pegging it all down into the ground then put your gravel on top. The cardboard totally blocks like any light, i.e. stopping growth of plant or weed, but it degrades into the ground eventually. Hope you enjoy clearing your land, give it good old strim.
well said
Those wood poles (stakes) are used to support the fruit trees when they are full of fruit before harvest. Keep limbs from breaking under the weight. The notched side to cradel the branch, then you set the pointed side at an angle on the ground. Google it to see photos. ☺
My best advice would be to wait. Get to know your land before you start spending money on landscaping. Understand where it gets boggy, where the water pours down and where it stays drier. You will need good access for deliveries of gravel anyway. I would cut the grass on the driveway. Look for anywhere that has erosion from heavy rainfall or big ruts. If there aren't any then you may be lucky enough to have good natural drainage or that someone has put in the work already. You have so many other things to get on with and hard landscaping is expensive so you would be better off knowing where it is needed and getting it right first time.
Hi Nick and Sarah. You could do with a secondhand ride on mower or large mower just to make some paths through the land so it’s all accessible for the doggies. Love the land ❤
Sarah, Nick .......... your land is LUSH ! How exciting thinking about all that you will be able to do [and already are doing !] to it. Love it ...........
Really good to see you so excited too after what you've been through recently. Best of luck with everything .
How amazing, you have your own little piece of paradise ❤
So exciting to see your new homestead. Loves amazing and full of potential. You worked hard and the dogs see to love the freedom and space to rome. Had to keep my husband down
as he was ready to pack his bags and mine to join you. Lots of projects, but at 80 and back problems its a no-go. Your little house is adorable, lots of potentiels. Wishing you lots of happiness on your new adventure. Regards and hugs to the puppies from Québec Canada. ❤️🐾
Exciting..!!
Look forward to seeing what you do with the land..endless possibilities!
Not sure why you were "shocked" by the state of your land... it looks awesome to me! It reminds me of 10 acres of wild land I bought a long time ago in Michigan. I got a "grid paper" notebook, and mapped out sections, indicating the plants that were in each section (some were endangered species, and could not be transplanted) so I could better manage the areas I wanted to develop. Have you thought about planting something in your sister's memory? Maybe a flowering shrub she liked? or a special tree" Or a little flower garden? Just a thought. Such an exciting adventure... you are such hard workers! Hugs from St. Augustine
I would definitely put a fence around the well. I watched another couple in Portugal; a neighbours dog fell into their well. It was a real task to get it out.
Yes the well needs to be protected so that any animals ( wild or not) don’t fall in
@@appenninoview6307 Don't be daft. The well has been there for ages, going by your reckoning it is full up with animals.
@@galdessa1 The well has been there for ages but the dogs are new to it. That is the point.
@@galdessa1 It is quite common for animals, not just pets, to drown in unprotected wells, and to contaminate the water. It is no small task to restore the supply for safe use. Wells are dangerous to humans and animals, and it is irresponsible not to fence them properly.
@@galdessa1 Accidents happen. Why take the chance?
You need some garden membrane, dig out a couple of inches or so of sand /soil and get it leval, put down the membrane and put gravel on top, job done.
Put sand under the gravel and you’ll find the weeds easy to pull up.
I’m loving the land videos. Very exciting!! ❤
Terracotta tiles would look lovely on your terrace.
This is the thing about land.... I have 8 acres in Ireland, and it takes work to maintain even a grassy field surrounded by hedging. Exhausing. Your place is just lovely.
Can put down on patio plastic interlocking grids then pour gravel into the small cells, keeps all gravel in place soft to walk on, the interlocking grids when filled can support very heavy machinery, can also put soil in grids and grass seed to make a controlled lawn.
First layer sand to level out area firm down sand then weed control sheets then interlocking grids then fill with gravel. Not cheap but gives a long tidy manageable area.
Farmer Nick and his hardworking wife. Great to see you back at the land in Portugal. Angela xx
This is so exciting and is going to be so much fun to watch!❤🎉
Absolutely stunning land what I done when I put gravel down was take a few inches of soil out put down a couple of layers of weed block then the gravel then a clear epoxy resin just to keep it all in place 😊
You’ve both made a difference to the land just doing what you have. It’s beautiful xxx❤
I am happy you back Portugal thank you to share best regards Nuno Portugal
1st😂🎉 your piece of paradise looks amazing ❤
It really is, in or opinion anyway.. Loving it 🥰 .. Thanks so much for watching.. xx
Ooo loads of cleavers (the sticky ones), they’re amazing to use medicinally ☺️ you can stew them, they’re really good for circulation among other stuff
Rough gravel where you are going to make a track/road, but I wouldn't have gravel outside the house, just because the legs on the chair will sink into it.
Scrape off the top layer (where the weed roots are) then put down something to block weeds from being able to grow up, or seed to get access, a woven fabric tarp etc.
Then put down slabs and fill the cracks with gravel.
If you want a hard surface, but also grass, you can get special cinder blocks for that, or you loosen up the topsoil, then put down rocks, with a little rubber hammer, you beat them into place, making sure they are all the same level, and with the best surface pointing up.
It takes some time, and practice to get the hang of it.
(I used to work as a landscaper)
Personally, I would let the grape wines grow over and make the outdoor ceiling, we do that here in Norway.
It will grow solid, and the grapes will be hanging down and easy to harvest. 😊
I'm a bit envious of your land, it seems to be perfect.
When you had the stroll in summer, talking about all the different fruit, i thought to myself; - I wish I had that...
Pomegranate is actually ready when they start to crack open, so as long as they don't start to ferment or rot, they should be really full of flavour right now.
Looking forward to see your next update ❤
Love seeing the little munchkins running around they love there holiday home will be nice to see what you do with it
Like you guys I live in the south of Spain. A friend of mine has a campo and on an area like the terrace he put down some inexpensive paving slabs. As you know heavy rain will likely wash any stones away. Great to see you back in the sun ❤
The land has changed so much since you went off to UK especially yellow dried weeds . You can still collect the olives even though the harvest time was in October. Keep everything up in your newly farm life. 🚜
Put all that dry grass etc into a heap and make compost, compost is made using 50% green and 50% brown (anything dried will be classed as brown) you’ll be able to use it next year on your veggie patch ☺️
WOW ! Enjoy your new adventures with the land, looks wonderful.
The land is awesome. So green this time. You are both so ambitious with your work. Love that you started right away to make things right on the land. The doggies seem to really like it also. Can’t wait for more videos to see the progress. Hope the weather cooperates for you.
Your land is beautiful. You can live in your van or build a yurt tent or tiny cabin and spend time learning your land, the plants, the wildlife, decide your garden etc. I'm so excited to for future coming videos of y'all and the land.
Ah love it! Gorgeous to see it all green, I'm really looking forward to seeing what you do with it now. 😊
Hey guys! Another great vid, thank you!
Just a note - be careful what you put in the compost pile. Any thistles that have gone to seed you want to burn rather than compost. Same with brambles if you have them or any veracious weeds. The seeds can spread anywhere you put the compost, and it's better to be safe than sorry!
You have a beautiful piece of land! You’ll be getting a lot of advice in the comments of course. I’m looking forward to watching your new adventure as you learn all about homesteading!
Lovely to see the boys are loving the land brilliant in Portugal the weeds come up very sick and very hard so you may want to put a very thick sheeting down your gravel on top, but there’s no holes in it. You’ll be surprised at the weeds that shoot up in Portugal, I gravelled my driveway in Portugal on my land, and I use plastic sheeting and then put lots of gravel on top. Haven’t done my videos of Portugal yet, I’ve still got to sort them out. I get on my land, I cannot stop working I carry on like you Take care 😊
I'm excited to see the progress you'll be making on the land. Great property!
Pruners for woody bush trimming. That tool is hedge trimmer for green material trimming on bushes
Looks lovely and green. Just like our campo place in Andalusia- we are here now doing similar things to you guys!!! Happy travels
Wow what a difference , it looks amazing ❤❤❤
So excited to watch you working and transforming your land this is going to be a great watch 😊
A pair of loppers are very usefull for cutting back bushes branches etc ..
Your land looks great. 😊Had one like yours growing up where all the family would gather and work the land (we lived in the city and came only on weekends). Looking back, it was a great way to spend your childhood. So, your dogs /babies will love it there 😊
Hey guy great to see u both back on your land full of excitement and future plans looking forward to see ur dreams coming to life 👍🏻
Hi guys. I would put flagstones / paving slabs down on the patio area. They will keep the weeds down as well as give you a level area to put table and chairs down. Gravel tends to work its way down into the dirt and gradually disappear!
Was thinking the same , rustic flagstones will give it loads of character along with practicality .
I agree.....rustic flags would look lovely. You could lay them on a layer of sand. If you did go the way of gravel use cardboard underneath weed suppressant cloth (not the black plastic) to reduce weeds....but weeds do still come through......and the pebbles get misplaced and aren't comfortable to walk on....or push a wheelbarrow over...
Yes . Paving bricks on river sand. May have bidum (Geofabric) or plastic underlay optional 🤠
If you are really inspired you can make your own coloured and textured slabs 😂
Your land is just lovely!! How wonderful for the doggies to be able to run and play to their hearts content! I look forward to next Thursday (unless you are going to treat us to another Sunday vlog).
Your land looks amazing. Glad you are so happy. Look at the doggies. They are having so much fun.
❤❤❤❤
good see you at you land keep up the great vlogs on travels thanks lee
Lovely land, and warm. So nice to be out of the freezer north! I haven’t noticed any drainage on or near your house - gutters for roof and French drainage piping for spill off from terrace. Having those will safeguard your home area from normal seasonal wetness and give you peace of mind when you’re away. Plus, wherever you’re putting gravel, you need drainage, including parking area for vinyl. make sure it’s on high ground and drainage there also to send the water away from puddling.
Ok.. Thanks so much for the advice.. We need all we can get! ❤️❤️
Love the look of the land.
Lovely that you've come back to your land looking so good.
Loving the land, you both look so happy and excited. You can buy a special membrane to put the gravel down on. You can buy it in packs or off a roll. I it allows the water to drain through but stops the weeds growing.
Sarah, shears are meant for lightweight leafy things like cutting domestic hedges , heavy duty secateurs/long handled branch choppers are needed for the thick branches you were trying to cut. You'll ruin the shears on anything like branches.
You can make tea with dried fig leaves.. It does have medicinal properties.
You can find tutorials on RUclips about pruning and plant uses.. Its easy when you know how.. It's a great learning experience.. Love and blessings ♥️🙏🙌
Fantastic video
So excited for you. Looking fab ❤❤❤
Lovely to see the k9s running free ... such a treat for travelling/camping dogs. Well done you guys.
So happy to see you both looking so happy ❤
Looking forward to the Vlogs as they take a turn into the world of DIY and farming. Keep up the goodwork Give the fur babies a hug from me.
I think Paving /stepping stones in that area would make the area more useful for walking & getting equipment in & out of the shed & for sitting. maybe a mix of pavers & pebbles. Use the pebbles to border so you don't have to worry about cutting the pavers around the borders. Large pavers can easily be moved if you change your mind later on how you want to use that area.
Great idea...and with a layer of cardboard beneath.
I'm really pleased the land is looking good. I admire the way you go about life together. You deserve the best.
Whether you put gravel or flagstones, don't use plastic as weed control. It doesn't let water drain. Landscape fabric will stop weeds growing that are from under it but you still get weeds because seeds are spread from above, birds, wind etc.
Glad you both arrived safe the land looks great so quiet and peaceful the dogs seemed to be enjoying them selves Niki beared is coming on really well your wheel burrow looks lovely and old have a nice time look after yourselves ❤
Can't tell you how much I look forward to your videos every Thursday, thank you. Now let me get into your video👍👍
Nice vlog guys, amazing the difference a few splashes of water makes.
On the topic of stoning an area, it all depends how serious you are. You could half-arse it and use plastic, but this'll make the substrate sour and introduces a slip plane. What you need is a geotextile membrane as it's breathable and will allow water to drain. Brands include Terram and is used widely in the construction industry.
I noticed that you have an opuncia cactus plant near that palm tree. Opuncia fruit is my favourite. I have never tried it before or never knew cactus fruit can be eaten unil i visited Portugal …so magic.
Wow! It’s beautiful!
The land looks amazing. It's good to see the doggies enjoying the freedom. Xx
The land looks so different very lush. Loved watching the Doggies running about. You both worked hard. I’m looking forward to see what you do. Probably weed suppressor under the gravel as plastic want allow drainage when it rains. Have a good week ❤
Dizzy: Noble guardian of the estate. He is a grand wee doggie.
The dogs there at the end chasing each other on the land👏🏻🥰🥰🥰
Hi guys
Oh lovely to see ya land looking so green
Can’t wait to see how you change it over time to how you want it.
Very exciting times ahead.
Charlie and dizzy seem to enjoy it there too
Nick the beard is coming on 👍
Take care
Love Kim xx
Glad to see how good the land looks. Also pleased Mickey Mouse hadn't eaten anything important. However, don't bank on mice not being able to get up to high shelves!
Mice and rats will run up and down walls
Not plastic sheeting - you need something that will allow water to permeate through. Weed suppressing membrane then gravel - dig the patio area down a few inches so the gravel is no higher than the outer wall. That said you might be better paving it, more work to start with but less maintenance, once its done, its done 🤣. Oh and that 1st shrub with the tiny purple flowers is rosemary… you can cook with it 👍
My mother in law picks the olives of her tree, washes them n puts them all in a jar sealed tight, can't remember exact procedure but easier than previous comment to press in the villiage etc ❤
Lovely ! If you put a woven weed membrane under the gravel on the terrace, it will drain well and not let weeds through from below. Hold down the edges of the membrane with rocks, as suggested; sorted !
but in portugal the weeds do get through...use cardboard under the cloth membrane...that reduces the weeds that get through for a couple of years...I collect cardboard boxes from the lixo and use them. the plastic membrane frays badly, but the cloth (feels felty) seems to work better. i still think if you can get hold of some rustic flagstones to lay there, they would last a lot better and look great. You could save the river pebbles for a contrasting area prehaps and plant a Santolina or lavender or some herbs like rosemary that survive the harsh summers without water.
Ah brilliant to see your land, looking great, lots to do for sure. We had a patch when we lived in Wales, kept chickens, grew veg etc etc. Lot of work with children too, but I expect your doggies will keep themselves occupied whilst you toil away. I highly recommend a shiny new wheelbarrow, to help moving heavy stuff, don't want you to hurt backs or strain yourselves. Take care and good luck, enjoying all the little projects you have in mind, make the terrace really nice, that's where you'll spend a lot of time I'm sure xxx
Beautiful with all the green now. 😊
Your land is so beautiful! Yes, definitely put some plastic down before the gravel. You don’t need sand. We have done gravel with and without plastic underneath and when it is not there, the weeds will come through and it looks messy and is a pain to deal with.
membrane down more levelling and take a top layer off to prevent the gravel getting washed off beyond the wall. Then membrane.
I saw the drainpipe run off pointing onto the patio. I'd swing that round.
Gravel will do your nut in after a while. It get everywhere and never stays where it should.
For that small area, I would recommend actual patio slabs. ❤
that seems to be pumpkin or squash. fire pits don't need register. gravel doesn't need big engineering plans. set where you want it, rack it, done. start with small goals, one each day. don't be shy on making mistakes! bigger, later. recycle materials, be creative. not everything needs money spent to see good results. treat the land well and, in turn, it will be generous. dogs will be happy there. with plenty of space for them to be, actually, dogs. stay strong 🤠😎
Great video as always and good to see the land in green 😊
The Land looks very good! You usually put a 'Membrane' down to stop weeds etc coming up then put shingle down! Weeds still get through sadly but not so much!
Such great eyes and smiles in this vlog
The long stuff 6 minutes in is Mallow I think. We have a massive patch on our land in Andalucia after some wild boar dug the ground up one year. Get it properly identified and you can eat it if it is Mallow 😊
Great video Guy's how different your land looked after all the rain 😮. Have a nice weekend 😀 😊
So funny -watching sarah carrying the bit rocks I put in a comment of "I reckon it's time to shout yourselves a nice new wheelbarrow 🤩" and literally, the next scene, there you were with your amazing old wheelbarrow. What a laugh.
Aw you're like a couple of kids at Christmas, so pleased for you. Enjoy.
Nick's idea was okay. Dig out a few inches and then put down the weed barrier sheets (overlapped) then pea shingle or pebbles on top.
Use decomposed granite it comes in a multitude of colors and is resistant to weeds... It's great for pathways as well
Love you guys can't wait to see your progress on the land🤗👍❤️❤️❤️
Save yourself the hassle of compost heaps and permits for fires... Mulch it with a ride on mower without the grass box on and just spread it back on the ground.. Much better for the soil and a LOT better for the environment... Even better if you could get a sponsor for some electric garden machinery!!
i have land I don't have fires at all. I have compost heaps, brushpiles for wildlife, deadhedges, however, I suppose one has to think of wildfires, you don't want the land to be easy for that
Question...if you are mulching weeds, will it not spread weeds everywhere?
a permit for fires takes 15 seconds, just saying, and it is the best solution by miles... (nobody cares for fires in the winter...)
Wow. The land looks lovely.
Great vlog guys love the land plenty of work to be done weve just witnessed the first planting of 3 yukka tree's it will be interesting watching them grow and remembering when you planted them in a few years time and watching the land take shape, ps dont put plastic under drive way it will keep slipping the correct way for the drive is to dig down 50 to a 100mm and fill it with bricks and rocks if plentiful on you're land if not buy a lorry load of type 1 crushed concrete and lay that in there it will compact when you drive on it i would cut out tyre treads all the way up to the final parking place ps dont use sand it will wash away ,good luck take care the gowerz Portsmouth xx ❤❤
1. Sand 2. Membrane sheeting 3. Gravel, the short concrete posts you moved along with the cobbles could be used as barriers to hold the gravel ,in if there were enough, maybe use the cobbles aswell ? The weed that stuck to your clothes is called Cleavers in the UK and apparently edibal, why not get a plant identifyer App on your phone ?
Looks amazing with all that grass. I would say membrane goes down then gravel. Just flatten the soil underneath. And Sarah mice can climb walls. So sorry to disappoint you xx
That breakfast looked delicious !