Home Real Estate UN + DEFEATED / Living off-grid in Central Portugal

UN + DEFEATED / Living off-grid in Central Portugal

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UN + DEFEATED / Living off-grid in Central Portugal

The struggle to keep the pigs hydrated and cool as my water sources on the farm dry up in the drought, nearly broke me. But, you have to dig deep, call in the troops and make new plans to get water.
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43 COMMENTS

  1. It seems to me that the conditions are not ideal for anybody to live there, especially given you are of middle age, not fit and alone. What if something happens to you? sell the place and get back to civiisation. All the best to you! good luck

  2. Missed you today Cindy. I do hope you’re ok and coping with the heat wave. I personally struggle with this weather. We are experiencing high temperatures in the UK too so I’ve been sitting by a fan for much of the day. I do hope you’re safe. XAngela

  3. It’s hard to have energy to work when you are hot. I remember seeing a video about making an aircon out of your fan. The easiest was attaching two frozen water bottles to the back of the fan. But there are so many. Try searching for it. I hope this idea helps.

  4. Dearest Cindy, there are times that I can't wait until you down load new video, you are an inspiration to me. You have good friends who come to help you, just hang in there! 🥰😍🤩

  5. Dear Cindy, Loved your video of pigs!! Interested to know more about your water shortages. It looks tough for you at the moment. Can I ask, did you get your well water tested for purity when you bought property? I would love to buy old property and land in portugal and live off grid. Are all the wells drying up in Portugal? Kind regards. hope things improve soon. Juliet

  6. How are you doing today Cindy? 🤗

    Your piglets are too adorable. Mallow Puff was my fave from your original 5 bc of her coloring and being the smallest. But now you have scads of dotty piglets so my eyes are all over the screen following them 😄.

  7. Not all days are great but you are a fighter and an inspiration to a lot of people… keep strong and positive and take care of yourself, we all love what you are creating and feel very blessed that you kindly enough are sharing your adventure with us💯👍🤗…big thanks to Nick 👌

  8. Cindy, já a acompanho á meses, nota-se que a senhora está muito mais elegante. A lida da quinta tem ajudado. Aguente que logo as chuvas regressam. Encher garrafões na fonte, por enquanto, é a solução.
    E quem tem amigos não desespera.
    Fique bem.🌺

  9. Shocking weather conditions and no air con…but I had a water cooled free standing unit..takes tiny top up and really helps. Can Piggy baths go in shade so tree can benefit from decanted water? Super flat feeding bowls can be tied to fence pole through the handle.Such brave dogs and pigs.If only they could talk? Weather will change soon …..GOD bless.💐💐💐💐💐💐💐🌼💐

  10. Oh What a whopper of a Scorpian…Yeah NICK, fingers crossed that your water situation improves. OHHH what a brilliant idea to be able to get more water!… What a great friend. Plus the well pump. may it all work my heart is in my mouth in hope for your situation. Like you totally reliant on my tanks for rainwater. No well here, but not much use if no water. I hope your trees cope, and rain comes soon…not thunder storms dont want lightning starting fires.. Happened here in 2019/20 bush fires from lightning. So glad the babies bring such joy and delight and that Tim Tam is doing such a great job,. You are amazing, and doing a superb job. I am so often in awe of all you achieve.

  11. I understand you must be feeling frustrated and tired because of the heat and lack of water. But it shall pass. You must have just wanted to go for a swim in that water collection tank! Good bless Nick and your other friends for helping you out! Hope it starts to cool off soon.

  12. Cindy, you’re tough and will get through this drought! Thank you Nick! You are a true Hero! Hang in there Cindy! If I can get over there (as mentioned I'm going through some of my own trauma drama) I'll treat you to one of those hot springs in the Fall/Winter in the north…I think in Spain?

  13. It is so good to see friends around you come to your aid We have heard that you are in a dreadful drought but really the people that run your area should be on top of this water situation.

  14. It looks like you have way too much to handle!!!
    Did you ever think of making some kind of arrangement with a more able person to help you with the farm 24/7?

  15. In Israel, there are so many watering innovations, especialy in the desert, where its hardly rains. the main solution is drip irrigation and dew collections.I dont know what the cost of it in Portugal, but in Florida wheer I am living, it is reasonable.Even if you run a line to the potted plants area,, and BTW, scorpions love to hide in shoes…

  16. Big virtual hug from the UK. It's hot here and I too have had one of those days. 

    On the watering issue, it's best to put your potted vegetable plants in the ground because they can then send down deeper roots to find their own water and they are less likely to dry out. The pots encourage evaporation.

    Overall, your water issues are down to the lack of seasonal rain and the drain on the existing ground water is accumulative after you didn't get the usual winter rain.  I'm hoping you are using your sink and shower water to secondary effect. 
    (Were you in Cape Town those two years when the dams were all empty? )

    Let's hope it rains soon!

  17. Just watched your video and so glad you feel better. Just wondering what pushed you over the edge making you feel defeated, it wasn’t clear in the video…one particular thing or a pile up of things?. I wouldn’t be able to function in that heat…I live in Ottawa Canada and 30 is hot for us…we get down to -30 in winter…I still enjoy winter and snow.
    Hope things continue to get better. I’d say Nick is one amazing person and friend!
    Best wishes!

  18. I'm not going to say don't get down since let's face it, we've all been there. I watch you & see all that you've accomplished so far. You farm is still new & I've seen improvements little by little- pig pens, your home, etc. You know to prioritize what is important & put your energy there. We can't do it all, at least not all at the same time. One by one, yes. You are a hard worker & you are trying to make your own good luck instead of just hoping for it to just happen.

    I agree that a borehole is expensive & I think can be a gamble. I've been watching homesteaders in dry regions collecting rainfall (ground water drying up), which it looks like you've been trying to get ramped up one IBC at a time. Great that what Nick set up in Matilda will help get you over the hump.

    I hope you don't worry too much about Cinnamon Bun's colostrum. I nursed my kids, but I was raised bottle-fed on formula & I'm fine. CB's milk will be fine for her babies with or without colostrum. The world isn't perfect. Good thing if CB's babies come later since your hands are full for now. Hard to sell too many at once. I see income & trading currency from all those piglets. I believe things will be better.

  19. Only just started watching please jam in there come visit I have a wild boar lily they are lovely. Good at weeding..lily has lots of treats..how are your watermelons doing? I've got a problem with hares rabbits easy for the dogs. Xxxx go girl!!!

  20. well done Cindy you are a real fighter ,as they say after the rain the nice weather it is just a passing cloud so hang on ,change is a part of life nothing will remain the same fore ever.
    you re doing great ,see you on the next one.

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