Living Off Grid in Winter & Building Our Cabin

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Beijinos e abraços,
Carissa, Iwan, Frankie & Albi
Our Story:
We are Carissa, Iwan & Frankie the sausage dog, and in 2020 decided one night over a bottle of wine that moving from North Wales to Portugal would be a good idea. Within a month we were on the road to Portugal to find the perfect piece of land to call home. We picked up Albi, Joao and Simao the cats along the way, as well as Diogo the podengo and a flock of chickens.
Subscribe to follow our project as we turn an old stone barn into our home, and learn the ropes of looking after a piece of land to make an abundant garden and one day, our very own winery.

[@lj9043]

Thank you both for 40 minutes of peace, calm and tranquility. Absolutely love watching your life unfold.

[@adoniscortereal2666]

... Four years have passed and I still watch your videos, what a lot of satisfaction proposes me. Congratulations ✨🥂✨🥂✨for your effort, dedication... in the realization of a dream.

[@judyannludchawefoyagao8278]

It has always been therapeutic watching you and your life on your property. Thank you for letting us share the joys of living off grid and on the land without having to experience the rough part of it. ❤❤❤❤❤

[@lieuwina]

I can not believe it has been four years that I have watched you both, congratulations, and thank you for sharing your wonderful journey with us.

[@kathryngabaldon1648]

I always look forward to your videos. I love the music that you choose. I'm so happy you've been able to do this at a young age. I get to live vicariously through you! ❤❤

[@jimmyconnolly3461]

After 4 years, you can see all the progress you’re making. But in a few bad weeks it’s harder to see it. I love your vlogs. Always a beautiful take on what is really going on. This is my favourite KZbin channel to watch. Love you guys.❤️🥂🍷🥃xxx

[@melissaeden1219]

Congratulations on four years! And thank you, as always, for your lovely videos. They make my Saturdays!

[@philomenabenedict9371]

Good teamwork! Diogo’s constant presence is indicative of his immense moral support.

[@FrankieOffGrid]

He’s a good lad

[@WendyDON-zr1km]

Congratulations on four years! You have come a long way, lots of hard work but you persevered, well done! Watching from Australia, haven’t missed an episode. What a privilege it is to live in such beautiful surrounds. 💕

[@HoneyTeaBiscuit]

I lived on property in the 1990s with solar electricity with gas cooking, fridge/freezer and hot water for about 10 years. Hubby, myself and 2 boys. I used to do my work during the day, with the sunshine and basically TV in the evening and bed by 9pm. We had gravity fed water from big tanks on the hill. It was an education but really good in teaching people you can do it and not being so wasteful. With todays technology and experience, I would do it again.

[@ourvan.ourway]

Happy 4 year anniversary on getting the keys guys. Just look at how much you’ve both done in that time. The canopy might not have been in your immediate plans. But sometimes plans change. And if you need to change them for practical reasons (such as to give you extra space for solar panels) then it’ll be worth it in the end

[@brianclarke7169]

Not such an easy ride. Four years. Congratulations to you both. Steady progress, well done.

[@ritafoster4958]

Congratulations on your 4 year anniversary of moving onto your land! Cheers! Thank you for another peaceful, happy interlude of visiting with you guys and your delightful fur children. Even though they might sometimes stink of fox poo… We’re looking at you, Diogo!! 😂 I hope your additional solar panels will help you through the darker winter months. Carissa, your beautiful photography of your flowers at the end warmed my heart. ❤️🇨🇦🌬️❄️☃️

[@rachelfrees1268]

The color of the porch, roof is perfect. You two are surrounded by beauty. What a peaceful video. Seeing your shadows and those of the dogs reflected in the sunlight on the side of your house was magic. Have a great week.❤

[@troothseeker7312]

Yay - here’s to your solution for more power, ✨Well Done - good choice to do first✨👏👏👏 🎉Happy Anniversary🎉 you are getting there, you have done so much work together where you are today🥰🇦🇺

[@TheFLYLADY]

Nov 30 is our anniversary of 28 years! We toast every day to Sweet Darlings!

[@RuthKrippner]

Happy 4th anniversary, you have made such a beautiful home for you all……l

[@pdq5465]

Congratulations on your 4 years on your homestead 👏🏻🥳🍾

[@quintadovalepermaculture]

Yep it's been pretty grim through these very grey days the north side of the mountains also. Candlelight, head torches and books for evening entertainment ... 15 years off grid now and multiple redundancy has become something of a watchword. (Or phrase. Or whatever you want to call it.) In others words, never rely on only one means of supplying your needs, Wood burning water heaters (called bailarinas in Portuguese) are brilliant for winter baths and showers and are still manufactured here. I use them or solar (cheap coils of black MDPE water pipe) for water heating, not electricity, as using electricity to heat water is so massively energy-intensive and inefficient. None of my essential systems rely on electricity apart from the fridge and freezer, and they're usually fine through overnight shut-offs so long as they're not opened. Congrats on getting to the 4-year mark! Here's to many more!.

[@deehalpern8988]

Such beautiful music. Happy Landaversary 🙂

[@jonathanglanville5265]

Its all about balance,every day you make progress. Go to bed,feeling, good on your achievements.

[@neutonrenda2303]

Happy anniversary to your first 4 years of off-grid life. It's amazing how fast it goes and how different it looks now. Enjoy.👍❤️

[@neutonrenda2303]

Every time you show a sky time lapse I can't help but think about the 'cosmic jellyfish' footage that I still can't forget.❤️

[@darianecardoso8999]

Happy land anniversary 🎉many more years to come. Keep up the good work 👏👏

[@stevesexton1789]

Cheers! Congrats on four amazing years! You’ve come soooo far! Thank you for sharing the journey with us! :)

[@rosemaryjasper1121]

Great video, just love your relaxed style, nothings rushed or hurried. Very laid back. Love the colour for the roof, tones in beautifully with the walls. Diego does like to be in the thick of things, there’s not many shots of the pair of you working that don’t have Diego in! Have a good week❤

[@TonyCarnell]

Another great update, and congratulations on your 4 year landiversary 👍 If you have any of the paint left perhaps a coat on the board joins will help minimise water ingress? Also, I'd be a little concerned about the length of overhang at each end. When you get strong winds there's plenty of unsupported board for it to act upon and potentially cause damage. Keep up the good work. I always look forward to the weekend and another Frankie Off Grid update 😀

[@cindyblair1283]

Congratulations on 4 wonderful years you have shared. It’s really coming along so well and so much hard work you both have done. Your both a amazing soft spoken couple🎉

[@lindagage7315]

Congratulations on 4 years! You have done well! Looking great!

[@sarahnd]

Hope you are able to get those panels up quickly! We've been off-grid for 30+ years and totally understand how you can get used to having "luxuries" like laundry and hot showers and then suddenly you're back to square one! Our well pump died a week ago and we're still waiting to get the new one installed (it's a 50 meter deep borehole, so not something we can do ourselves.) Ah, hot showers and laundry... the impossible dream! But still, as you say, totally worth it for independence and remote tranquility (and the odd smug feeling when the lights in the village go out and we still have power!) 😂

[@jimmyconnolly3461]

4 year landoversary.🥂🥂🥂🥂 I knew it was about to happen. Bloody well done guys. I hope you go back and look at your older vlogs just to see and appreciate everything that you are achieving. I love going back and watching the older stuff. You’re still the same guys now, as you were then. I love that.❤️🥂xxx

[@lesleygraham5927]

Happy Landaversary🥳🥳🥳, good job on the porch. much❤ from Australia🇦🇺🇦🇺

[@AbigailGerlach-zt1sh]

As a temporary measure, how about taking 5 or 6 cement blocks and placing them vertically in front of the door and use them as a front step. Saves tracking mud into the house. Dachshunds are bred to dig and hunt badgers I think. Anyway they love digging. My aunt's dachshund loved bringing rocks she'd dug up into the house. My aunt would find a half dozen rocks in bed at night and have to throw them back out before crawling into bed. Silly animal...the dog, not my aunt!!!!!

[@Allison-c8m]

Congratulations on 4 years land dwellers, I’m glad the board rubber skin suggestion worked for you, remember to dab a bit of silicon over and round your screws, hope you have a happy week 🙂

[@michelebushnik2874]

Oh good to see sunny skies for you finally! I hope it's enough for your solar panels to get you a hot dinner! The roof is so lovely, seriously I really love the orange/terra cotta paint. Brings a whimsical charming quality to the space❤ Frankie posing earlier on, and seemed to look at us, as if she knew we were watching❤😂❤ Happy 4th year land aniversary you two🎉🎉 Thank you for sharing!

[@DavidJenkins-m6n]

I think it would have looked fab with a deck around to your door area of your new cabin no mess then being taking into your bedroom if it's raining .Just a thought .😊

[@theyellowbootshomestead]

Gorgeous gorgeous video & great work for the roofing! Happy 4 years and cheers to many many many more:) Lots of love, friends ♡

[@ednahawkesworth7551]

Congratulations 🎉. That has gone so quickly but look at how much you have achieved. I’ve watched since the beginning so I can see how much you have achieved. 🤩

[@csilviageo]

Parabéns pelo aniversário. Nesses quatro anos dois acompanho vocês, e vejo em vocês uma inspiração para quem pensam em viver fora da rede. Gosto demais dos vídeos de vocês. Abraços. ❤

[@sgrvtl7183]

Very nice roof on your porch❗️Always enjoy your music choice fir these videos🦋

[@jessicazoppi2004]

Yayyy.. happy land'a'verserry 🎉🎉 THANKYOU for taking us along. ❤❤

[@peterclewes7073]

Yep happy anniversary of your first 4 years of off-grid life.

[@badseedbrighton46]

Congratulations on your 4 year anniversary ✌️

[@TheFLYLADY]

Your videos are so calming! Thank you in a world of Chaos; you bless us!

[@richardsicard8890]

If you dog rolls in fox poo - clean with tomato ketchup, rub well into the fur, and wash off with water - it gets rid of the smell, and cleans your dog’s coat too.

[@gw2031]

What a chilled out episode,,beautiful music,,my heart sank at the chem trails lines and sky planes spraying ,,28.40 and 29.16 !! Its haippenjng in every country now ! So sad 😔

[@FrankieOffGrid]

They’re not chem trails.. they’re not spraying anything I can assure you. You’re being duped by someone. Look for evidence 😉

[@lynnemac1402]

Thank you so much I enjoyed the longer video and enjoyed seeing you get the boards on top of the patio area, hopefully you can get your panels up and start collecting more power. I think Frankie bless got Diogo interested in digging when he watched her digging to bury the socks lol x

[@magicwendy210]

wow where has 4 yrs gone l have been following you since the beginning, congrats on 4yrs of living off grid here's to many more to come ☺

[@FrankieOffGrid]

Crazy ey?

[@bennyhill4228]

An Awesome Sunday morning video to watch, Thank you.

[@cecilmontano8674]

Thank you for another great video. So glad the two of you got the porch roof installed.

[@uppanadam]

Some nice earthy brown colours there!! Keep up the good work!! And congratulations on your 4 year anniversay!! Cheers!!

[@projectportugal]

Congratulations on 4 years guys ❤

[@FrankieOffGrid]

Thank you!! ❤️

[@waynecassidy6145]

Well done guys you’re making heaps of progress now 👏👏👏👌

[@goochbootch3466]

Hey there Maybe screw some fllat metal connector plates on all the vertical connections around the outside of the deck. maybe even some plus sighn ones on the deck plus shaped connection points. paint them black to match the other pergola bases? Cheers and great work.

[@kdclothes]

I understand your frustration. The more convenient your life, the more inconvenient when it isnt working. The cabin looks really great.

[@racebanning6390]

Dodo in the Poo 😂🤣😂Lmao!! stinky boy Lol. Diggin the Solar Veranda patio, it is gonna be nice & warm there for winter coffetime. Living in my truck camper, im familiar with the water repellents now, Eternabond tape is Amazing. For any roof holes or water seal repairs. The Elastomere paints are very good , and affordable. I woke early 430 today and yur vid is 1st and waiting every saturday. Its 20°F , started a fire, made coffee and relaxing now. Great homestead progress you all. Be blessed🙏🙏.. Yes , power management is a learning class in frugal consumption. I have power here on my land , but prefer to only use it sparingly. Oh, Happy LandAversary👍👍my 4 year was on the 15th.

[@jbmckean]

do not forget to catch your edges of the osb boards and any cuts that you do also as that is where the water will get in and swell the boards up .

[@rosbeaton637]

What you have achieved in 4 years, is amazing. It must, at times, have been so very difficult, but your perseverance and hard work will ultimately lead to the best of life. 🎉🎉🎉 The cabin is looking great and the colour is perfect.❤ U always try to catch up on videos if I am away, but have you ever explained why you did not have the door opening on to the verandah. Just wondering 🤔 😊

[@wendyharper8930]

Congratulations for your Landiversary 🎉🎉. The music this week is really lovely. About digging dogs. I had a golden lab who dug really big holes. Really big. Big enough to bury a lamb in. The only thing that deterred her was burying some of her own poo in as many holes as she dug for a couple of weeks. It sounds disgusting, was somewhat disgusting, and eventually she was disgusted and stopped digging

[@stellafabing3773]

Congratulations and to many more peaceful, happy years. 🎉🥂

[@Patricia-v9v6j]

Great job .on the roof ...you two work so well together...I don't miss any look forward to them .....I know there are ups and downs with Your progress...but things will work...because its your journey ❤

[@judithtaylormayo]

Step back and look at your leanto, and notice where the colums are positioned. You will noticed that almost all of them are situated in the middle of the paletts with no cinder block underneath them. i think a few more cinder blocks strategically positioned underneath the columns would be a good idea.

[@andrewmaiden3738]

Congratulations on 4 yrs on the homesteading lifestyle, you have come along way. On the porch roof an observation (sorry, not being critical, just want you to maximise its lifespan), it would have been good to have butted the sheets together with a silicon sealer or butyl tape to stop water ingressing through the joint. I can see you coated the edges with Sika but it would really make the porch a much drier area overall. Perhaps now given where you are you could try and seal from the top and then cover with some Sika to keep a consistant colour. On the cabin roof, the finishing drip edges?trims usually fit over the metal roof at the upper edge and below the metal on the lower edge and both should be secured through the vertical face. Can I make a suggestion; as you say you are newbies to the construction game, why not outline in advance your next project and your thoughts about how you plan to do it and ask for tips, advice or concerns. That way you gain the knowledge of your followers, can consider any suggestions, make your decisions accordingly and perhaps ease some future pain.

[@Aotruba]

I ❤ all your videos. I was sad to learn about your electricity outage. I hope for a quick resolution in your homestead. Sunsets are memorizing! Thank you for filming, editing, and sharing this video. Cabin is looking GREAT!!!👍🥰👍 ❣️🐈❣️🐈❣️🐈❣️🐶❣️🐶❣️

[@maryroberts8566]

Lovely watching you all build your life together.The skyes

[@ranarentz1124]

Happy landversity! So happy for you both! You are living what is a dream for most of us!

[@JudySnyder-dv5ld]

It's looking good.

[@HoneyTeaBiscuit]

You need to paint the underside as well otherwise the timber wont last too long with the moisture/humidity. I would place some glue and screws on the metal facia as the wind and weather will work it out so you may as well do it now, then install so guttering to catch water and steer it away from the house otherwise the water will gauge trenched in the soil. If you can put more screws in the roof, that would be good. Just in case you get a really strong wind. You will thank yourself one day. Hugs :)

[@KarenFeuilherade]

Congrats on your Land-anniversary 🎉

[@allanb9360]

The blade may not be dull, it maybe just dirty with wood resin. Take it off and scrub with soapy water and hard bristle plastic brush. Hope this helps 👍👍

[@maryroberts8566]

I think everything has been said ,I agree that the kittys need a little attention too

[@Toomanydogs7]

Yes we have a terrier mixes and they love digging holes to nowhere.🎉😂

[@lapsedluddite3381]

My Mini Schnauzer was well on his way to digging to China in our sandy soil, the big dogs loved disappearing into his holes for quick naps in the cooler earth.

[@richardrynko]

You should probably make your diagonal supports longer, as they would add strength in supporting the roof.

[@4adiarmuid]

cover the osb with roofing membrane like tyvek and staple with batons and when you can afford cover with corrugated metal sheet - which will protect from UV - once osb get wets it will delaminate - paint will work for a while but edges are weak point and as you know the summer sun is strong - even the cabin will last longer if you clad final wall layer in corrugated tin - (not insulated) - para bems quatro anos

[@kvdw5375]

🎉Happy anniversary! Have you ever considered adding a windturbine to your array of power generation?

[@deborahlee8135]

We are off grid, too, and i relate to all the power issues. Finally, we have 4.4kw on the roof with 12kw of batteries and feel sooo civilised 😂 i have noted in the past that your panels often are shaded as the day moves on. We made a small trolley to enable them to be readjusted with a small push as we walked by when we were still on flexible panels at ground level. Would something like that make the regular task of moving them easier to manage? Push end capping under is perfect, water cant sneak under then, good job 😊 Congratulations on your landversary! I'd say i've been watching for most of those 4 years, it feels like it anyway, and you've come such a very long way ❤ i hope you're both proud of your accomplishments. My maths isn't brilluant but if the verandah is plumb and square, wouldn't 45 degree cuts make your braces? It was pretty close by the look so a good screw should hold.

[@AudreyORourke-e1u]

Thank you for another relaxing video, love how Diogo is never far! Where is your black kitty and the grey one too?

[@FrankieOffGrid]

They’re always about 😅 Simão doesn’t like cameras much

[@andie1769]

Happy landiversary! 👏🍸 Your pergola & deck are wonderful, I’m sure you all will get great use out of it! The overhangs look like the need support as I’m sure a windy day or two could do some damage. A ladder type of fixing underneath and screwed to the side rafters could help that. Also I’m wondering if a portable gas bottle & stove might assist as a contingency for the darker days. As you’ve developed the property, your electricity needs have I’m sure grown, especially with tool batteries etc. So a few non electric contingencies might be worth thinking about. Cheers and thank you for your lovely videos! 😊

[@melinda5777]

Great job Y'all!! Don't give up! Your inspiring!! How old is Frankie, hint, this is a test? ✝️🙏❤🇺🇸🇵🇹👣☘🍍🤗

[@Cathy-ty3fp]

Congratulations on your 4year anniversary ❤

[@makoke1matsuri]

Hola chicos... No olvideis de las juntas del techo... Los bordes es importante... Para que duren mucho.... Y las tapa juntas de arriba(qué no vi cuando colocaron)... Quedará genial... Saludo cordial.

[@JAde-tm1yb]

I didn't see your post for suggestions before. But did anyone suggest clear corrugated sheets, where you could have painted the underside in terracotta before putting it up? Sorry for suggesting after the fact 🤭 but perhaps next time if it's cost effective.

[@noordic]

Your white and orange cat stepped on the painted panels i hope it did not stick to het paws please check 😊😊

[@celiapereira5223]

Congrats on your journey, it has been a joy to watch 👏👏👏❤️🫶

[@jamiesmith1343]

I notice you have quite a bit of wind there, not damaging, but constant. You might try to harness that wind power with a turbine or a windmill. I would be a great backup when you don't get a lot of sun. There are a few diy's on u tube, which are doable with car parts and they don't need any electric to run, it produces it's own power.

[@jeanrichardson2044]

Hooray, the 🌞. Your little cottage is very cute....

[@mariegallagher4725]

Hi folks, It's coming along although you do take ages to get things done sometimes.

[@suedale1865]

Well done good foggy team effort it’s beginning to come together nicely & the colour dried to a good shade 👍 The beautiful garden filming with good musical choices was very entertaining If you have fox poo issues again with little power for showering a good tip given to me by an old NORFOLK farmer ( my fox terrier was a fox poo addict ) to rid the smell is to rub in some tomato ketchup ( cheap brands ) & leave to dry neutralises the stink till you can shampoo Diago will have a matching stain on a tri colour terrier it looked funny but it worked see you next time 💙💜

[@Neilhuny]

Sounds like it would be great fun to do!

[@lapsedluddite3381]

Years ago I tried the tomato juice method when my collie got skunked while we were camping. Her fur was so thick six large cans of tomato juice didn't work all that well, she then reeked of skunk AND tomato, poor thing.

[@manjularamanujan3624]

That was a great achievement. I rejoice for you!

[@cathymilner6346]

New roof looks great! How awesome that area is going to be for you.

[@FrankieOffGrid]

Thank you!

[@LorraineinAustralia]

The veranda will be your best friend .. finally you will have a place to sit in all weather. The colour is fine, let’s face it, the solar panels will cover it soon. Please hug those terrible hole diggers for me.. I want to reach out an pat them every video🤪 Love to you all💕💕💕💕🐨

[@FrankieOffGrid]

We love it so much already! Looking forward to the first rainy day so we can go and sit under it :) oh don't worry, they're getting a million hugs. When editing and watching Frankie walk past and I didn't stroke her I had to then go and sit and give her a big cuddle 🤣 lots of love to you Lorraine, hope the summer is being gentle with you xx

[@LorraineinAustralia]

@ Haha.. I know you cuddle your dogs and cats, but I want to too… 💕💕

[@jeremytate7516]

good to see frankie

[@anaramos9660]

Happy anniversary guys. hope to see you around for many more🍾🥂

[@oekoleben]

Such small solar systems should be flexible so that they can adapt to the position of the sun, i.e. they can be placed higher or lower (winter and summer). Place a 10 cm long piece of branch on top of the panel and slowly lift it up. When the shadow appears on the panel, stop, then you will have the best light output. Do this every month, always at midday in the direction of the sun. Depending on the power consumption, i.e. whether more power is needed in the morning or evening, two panels should be facing east or west. This will give you the best power output.

[@henrykenson5547]

Nice deck, good job.

[@chrisjones-ys5zg]

congratulations darlings.... much love xxxc

[@domnicadragan377]

Great job well done you two👏 Happy anniversary 🎉 👍🤗

[@HeavenGarden888]

Happy anniversary! You can collect water from the village, light a fire outside and boil water in a big pan. Like in the old time!!! 😊

[@judithtaylormayo]

Years ago, not to say decades ago, I was watching "This Old House" on PBS ( Public Broadcasting System) in the USA ans they wer highlighting some solar panels that needed little or no direct sunlight. They were in the State of Washington (way up on the Western coast next to Canada) where there is little sun and allot of rain. These panel although they had a very similar aspect, were marvelous. They had barely installed them when they turned on the tap and had hot water. I cannot tell you more, but if you do some research I am sure you will find them. Maybe too late now that you have already bought your sun panels (although Maybe you can sell them) and replace them with these new improved one that will make your life far more paletable 😄

[@annesavage1211]

I always look forward to your videos. Love your little family. You will have to create a new logo to include the cats and a few chickens 😁🧡🧡