My Learning Journey & TOP TIP for Starting Your Own Off Grid Homestead

In this video I spend some time chatting about my path to learning about some of the things I do here on my off grid homestead. It's been a long journey of many courses and lots of work exchanges to get here and I'm excited to share!
Below are some of the places I learned the most:
Keela Permaculture Farm - keelayogafarm.com (Natural Building, Permaculture)
Mount of Oaks - mountofoaks.org (Natural Building, Tadelakt)
Rancho Mastatal - ranchomastatal.com (Timber Framing)
All Hands and Hearts - www.allhandsan... (Conventional Building)
Finca Bonafide - projectbonafid... (Natural Building, Permaculture)
Here are a few websites and books that I'd recommend for work exchanges:
Workaway - www.workaway.info
Help Exchange - www.helpx.net
I hope you enjoy the video! Please like it if you do and subscribe if you haven't already. Thanks!
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I'm Kirsty and I'm novice builder attempting an off grid stone barn renovation here in Central Portugal. I love going slowly, learning along the way, and trying new things as I attempt to build a beautiful tiny house using natural materials.
If you like my stuff and want to help support the channel, please like my videos and share them around! 😀 Or if you'd like to help financially, my Paypal is below. Any amount goes a long way and is much appreciated!
Paypal: paypal.me/trav...
Instagram: / portugalfromscratch
Facebook: / portugal-from-scratch-...
Horribly Neglected Website: www.portugalfro...

[@sheilajoseph9953]

Thanks kirsty for sharing your interesting journey of life, you have done so many interesting things along the way and visited many countries. How nice to settle down and share that journey with friends. 💚

[@PortugalfromScratch]

I'm glad you enjoyed the video and the blabbing!

[@CLFL14256]

good advice, I was in the country for 6 years before I bought my cottage, truthfully, I had no money to buy anything in the beginning, had to do the mortgage route. But I met a lot of people and got advice and help. The gardening stuff I learned from books and lately from videos. I had a good giggle at the one handed gardener, holding an umbrella...

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Haha yes, the umbrella gardening was impressive! 😁

[@andie1769]

You always look so comfortable when you are building & working with clay & lime. So your experience shows! As an Aussie, my go to for flies is spray bottle with vinegar water & dishsoap. ( at least 50/50 vinegar, if not more). Spray them a few times, try & corner them somewhere ( sorry don’t know how /if vinegar effects clay /lime ). But is safe around food pets, fabric. It is the only thing I use & it’s very effective. Sorry about your time fruit picking here, it is known to be brutal😢. Garden looks great, looking forward to seeing the folks! Cheers 😊

[@PortugalfromScratch]

I love natural materials! 😀 Thanks for the tip!

[@permissiontoshine]

Huh, as a Fellow Australian🤣I did not know this. Thankyou. Living in a small flat, I hate using the chemical sprays almost as much as I hate Aussie flies🐨so I will give this a go next Summer.

[@andie1769]

@@permissiontoshine I also use it on the kitchen benches etc! 😀. Just nowhere near rubber as vinegar is not good on rubber! 😒

[@permissiontoshine]

@@andie1769 thankyou! Yes I learned my lesson a few years ago with rubber and vinegar - destroyed the seal of my frontloader damn it!

[@raquelfernandez463]

Hi Kristy.Thank you for Posting and Showing Us alot of good things and how to do things to.And you do know a lot of Stuff and showed me things I didn't know.And I am Happy you had the People Come Out to help you.Snd I am Happy you will meet up with your Parents and hang out with them.Please say hi for me.Thank you ever much had a Nice time Watching.Love Raquel.❤.

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Thanks so much for your continued support and I'm happy you're learnings some stuff, too!

[@lenneam3745]

The visitors looked like they were having fun, yay! Great to hear the limoncello turned out so good, party 🎉time 😊

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Yep!!

[@OffGridinFrance2024]

Thanks again for another lovely video. We've been watching your journey from the start and you have been part of the inspiration for us to jump in and try off-grid life, so thank you.

[@PortugalfromScratch]

I'm glad to hear that, thanks!

[@virginiajorgensen8614]

That’s funny, all the fly swatters. I enjoyed hearing about your background and travelling. Disaster response is always needed. I appreciate the way that you continue to try a variety of things. That is great that the permaculture students were there.

[@PortugalfromScratch]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@Jaantoenen]

When it comes to house building the three little pigs and the bad wolf story has been with me since 2nd grade. I even drew a comic of it not having ever seen any, not even on TV which came to me the first time I was already 25 and a veteran.

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Straw bales are an amazing material!

[@63Clocks]

Thanks for sharing your background, very interesting ✨. I'm off now to make myself a hot chocolate 😄🍫

[@PortugalfromScratch]

My pleasure, enjoy!

[@batyamasheh3543]

Kirsty, Thank you for sharing your life journey. It's very interesting and inspiring. I'm happy to see you had a fun time with volunteers😀

[@PortugalfromScratch]

I'm happy you enjoyed it! Yes it as a fun day. 🙂

[@carolchisholm433]

Thanks for sharing your journey. I love your use of natural materials. Lemon cello looks amazing. Your visitors did a great job.

[@PortugalfromScratch]

They were a great help, thanks!

[@peggyspeer731]

You can put a nice looking lunch out for your friends. . Cooking is your talent too!

[@PortugalfromScratch]

I'm not massively creative in the kitchen but I like to cook certain things! 😁

[@chrisdouglass7962]

Okay "Business" was a surprise!! 😄 Wouldn't have been surprised if you'd said teacher 😁 Thanks Kirsty, that was very interesting 😊❤️

[@PortugalfromScratch]

My pleasure!

[@MarianneInmarsilia]

Fun team ! Great having volunteers come lend a hand 🌱 ❤

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Yes they were really nice and it was fun to hang out. 🙂

[@christinemcginnis5280]

Great video- and fascinating learning about how you arrived to where you are and some of your experiences along the way!

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@permissiontoshine]

I agree. What an amazingly adventurous woman.

[@wandamartin6503]

Hey Kirsty, lots of great work done in the garden area. The group sure looked like they had a great time. Anxious to see what your Dad comes up with on your deck area.

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Yes it was great and the deck is coming along nicely!

[@nancibishof6462]

The garden looks great. Gives you a jump start for the summer.

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Thanks! Yep!

[@ruthlarson6334]

Cozy little corner. You’re right. We don’t often see you sitting/lounging.

[@PortugalfromScratch]

It's so cozy now!

[@NextStopThailand]

Best advice ever! Number one top tip is very valuable. I came I saw and im running to Thailand!

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Very cool!

[@karinscholz1358]

Love the back story

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Great!

[@michelleellis8201]

I very much enjoyed hearing you talk about your learning experiences!

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Thanks!

[@woomobile]

Hi Kirsty great video, learning all those now useful techniques gave you a good head start but i bet its daunting doing it on your own house and land. Have a great weekend 👍❤

[@PortugalfromScratch]

It can be, for sure! I think it comes in waves.

[@avivat3010]

Love learning more about you, Kirsty! You have an amazing amount of experience around the world. Your advice is precious. It is important to see if you fit in to a community. Volunteering is a great way to get to know people. The group you had at your homestead was energetic and helpful. Your lemoncello is a hit! Thank you for sharing your life with us. Best, Angela

[@PortugalfromScratch]

My pleasure, thanks for watching as always!

[@avivat3010]

@@PortugalfromScratch I may not always comment, but I watch every single one. You have a great channel and I love to watch. Maybe, one day I'll be able to visit & help out.

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Very cool, thanks! Maybe!

[@jennichristie5264]

A few drops of citronella oil around the house and the flies shd abandon their interest. The clay around the diamond glass block seems to have accumulated some cracks. Wonder if it needs a few little repairs?

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Thanks for the tip! Yes it’s normal for the clay to shrink and because the frame any so strong underneath it’s moved more than normal but it’s an easy fix!

[@portugal1969]

Booh yee, hope the kids are enjoying the vacation, ....parents

[@PortugalfromScratch]

They are, indeed! Happy the sun is finally shining. 🙂

[@WendyPerrins]

Here in Australia we see the socks and sandals look as the pommy look. We tease people if they wear that look here.

[@PortugalfromScratch]

It's comfortable and easy and I'm a fan! It's definitely not a fashion statement, but I'm definitely not concerned about fashion. 😁

[@ruthlarson6334]

Thirsty Kristy. Thirsty for knowledge! 😊

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Haha, yep!

[@ruthlarson6334]

That was supposed to read Kirsty. Darn auto correct got me again

[@PortugalfromScratch]

😁

[@kathleenpitt1981]

That hot chocolate was ahhmazing!

[@marielouiseborg4860]

Could not understand why she had to do that noise 😮

[@PortugalfromScratch]

It was warm, at least! 😀

[@joanbroadway759]

After all of the traveling you did, do you sometimes get the itch to go somewhere or are you happy finally putting down roots somewhere! I'll bet your mom and dad are happy to have you living in one place now where they can come visit and help out.

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Yes and it's a lot closer than Rwanda! I'm happy here and the travel bug left me a long time ago.

[@judithtaylormayo]

you should take into account that you should plant trees about 10 meters destance inbetween them, because they do have a habit of growing

[@PortugalfromScratch]

I’m short in space and definitely eager to squeeze. 😁

[@DonnaHenderson-km8fe]

Great video. Looking back you have seen and worked in a lot of different countries. Love the community you ended up at.

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Me too! 😀

[@donnaconyers5189]

Loved your ramblings...would love to hear/tour your off grid energy and water set up. I know you touch a bit in other videos but maybe a full tour of how your are set up for power and water. Also would love to hear more about how you are living as a Canadian in Portugal and the ins and outs of doing that. Love all the videos...thanks for sharing

[@PortugalfromScratch]

I have a tour of my water systems planned, actually so hopefully that'll be out soon. I have a British passport so I snuck in before Brexit with that.

[@lorimontcalm9086]

So nice to get some help!! The garden looks great! Rwanda is someplace I'd love to visit. It looks so beautiful! Hugs from 🇨🇦

[@PortugalfromScratch]

It's an amazing country! Super clean and safe, too!

[@cazicature]

Great video Kirsty, could you perhaps do a video on how you purchased your property, as I take it it was classed as rural? So much confusing info out there in regards what you can and can’t legally live in. Best wishes to you and your parents 😊

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Thanks! I’m afraid my advice is always to talk to a lawyer… I won’t give advice out on my channel except that: 😀

[@cazicature]

@@PortugalfromScratch that’s fair enough 😁👍🏻

[@judithtaylormayo]

I very much enjoyed you blabbering on, and most especially your "ah" after every sip of chocolate, an integral part of enjoying your drink. Like you I am most interested in what you do inside your home, the plant stuff although important does not hold my attention.

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Glad to hear that! Yes the building videos are the most popular and I'll be back at it soon enough, but tis' the season for the garden!

[@monikacarless_wordwitch]

This was super informative! Another time, tell us how you got into map making?

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Oh ya... let me add that to the question and answer video!

[@shehazi695]

Thank you 🙏🏽

[@PortugalfromScratch]

😁

[@Kikistravels]

I am thinking of buyung an old house in bulgaria made of cob but im a bit worried about if it structure is not going to collapse

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Cob is amazing stuff! It'll withstand earthquakes better than a concrete building.

[@permissiontoshine]

@@PortugalfromScratch it does? Wow.

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Well… maybe don’t quote me on that but earthbags filled with cob are very earthquake resistant. I don’t know the ins and outs except to say that the buildings are far more sturdy than you might expect. Even strawbale houses are surprisingly fire resistant. There’s loads of research out there but it’s not a rabbit hole I’ve gone down too far. 🙂

[@permissiontoshine]

@@PortugalfromScratch makes sense. There is a lot to be said for how buildings were built hundreds and thousands of years ago. I have friends who've built an earthbag house after the terrible earthquakes in Christchurch, NZ a long time ago. How they designed the structure is fascinating. The aesthetics of the end result is beautiful - into the side of a mountain, at that.

[@ManuelPineiro-dr1oc]

Hi

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Hi!

[@mariavieiracruz8112]

😅

[@PortugalfromScratch]

🙂

[@fayewhelan7209]

❤

[@PortugalfromScratch]

🙂

[@coby6417]

🌟👍👏🍀💐

[@PortugalfromScratch]

😁

[@bevdwyer2509]

Can’t you hear me shouting cover that hot chocolate!

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Haha! I got lucky!

[@atom7007]

You may want to explain the rules and regs about living in a ruin and altering it. Many don't know and don't realise what the consequences can be. Alot of people are having their visas redacted due to living illegally. I hope this winter hasn't been too tough, cold and wet for you......roll on summer 🙄

[@PortugalfromScratch]

My advice is always that people should get a lawyer and ask questions to them and, if they want to build, an architect also. Then they can make an educated decision. This spring haas been brutal... but lots of rain is good I guess! 😁

[@minaamgroud1852]

✨✨🙏

[@PortugalfromScratch]

😁

[@Jaantoenen]

Whatever happened to your parents?

[@PortugalfromScratch]

They’re here and I’m filing stuff. 🙂

[@leannekudahl2432]

Very interesting to hear about your experience. Yay your parents are there! Enjoy. :)

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Thanks!

[@anaclark5751]

Loved the blab. Greetings from Australia

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Greetings! I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@รู้ว่ารู้แหละสิงคโปร์]

โปรตุเกสวิวธรรมชาติสวย

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Yes indeed!

[@jackienugent2019]

I feel very inadequate now...

[@PortugalfromScratch]

😁

[@permissiontoshine]

I really enjoyed you sitting on the couch talking to us Kirsty. You've had a very adventurous, interesting life. WOW! It was easy to watch because you didn't ramble on, there was a coherence to your story (which not many YTers achieve with sit down chats, so GOOD ON YOU). One year of fruit picking in Australia, means I know just how strong you are girl. Because you've lived and worked in some interesting places over a very long period of time, I would be interested if you did an occasional chat style video. You could pick one story, about one time, and potentially relate it to something you are doing at PFS right now. Or 'something you are doing now reminds you of the time...' and chuck in some pics from the past with that? Just thinking out loud. WHAT??!!! Mr McGyver Portugal Senior 🤣was nearly electrocuted on one of his first days onsite🤣. How to show your dad you love and appreciate his support🤣🤣🤣So looking forward to seeing the oldies spring into action on the farm this season. Welcome back Kirsty's Mum and Dad.🐨💖

[@PortugalfromScratch]

I’m glad you enjoyed that, thanks for the encouragement and I like that idea for fitting random chats here and there. 😁

[@permissiontoshine]

@@PortugalfromScratch You are welcome🐨

[@juanitakauffman6336]

Your helpers were great. The garden clean up was amazing. Your lunch looked delicious. Great video.

[@PortugalfromScratch]

They were!

[@JohnPValentine]

Omg, Ometepe Island is one of my favorite places in the world. Didn’t know about the permaculture farm there… thanks for the links! 🙏🙏🙏😊

[@PortugalfromScratch]

It’s beautiful! The website hasn’t been updated so maybe it’s not still around…

[@barbaranielsen2888]

I think you are an Awesome and Amazing person! Thanks for sharing about how to got to Portugal! How did you manage to side step the get married and have a family trap?

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Thanks so much! I guess I was never that interested in that stuff.

[@polgarauk5606]

It was a really interesting video, your journey has been varied, purposeful and educational. Love the tip at the end too. Ahh to be that yound and energetic again 😂 They did a great job on the garden and I bet your mum was pleased 😂

[@PortugalfromScratch]

I'm glad you enjoyed it... and I'm not that young! 😁

[@Jaantoenen]

Amazing works Kirsty. Cheers

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Thanks!

[@goodtogo3]

look at you all posh on your couch.....looks good

[@PortugalfromScratch]

It's so posh! Thanks!

[@michalf6460]

very interesting

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Great!

[@MomPuff-b9w]

Hola!! Absolutely ❤️ you and admire you!! The video I was waiting for!! I wanted to learn hoy you decided to move to Portugal!! Much love ❤️ and blessings 🙌🏻🤗🦋

[@PortugalfromScratch]

Cool! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@cathythomas2692]

Very nice video and helpful advice on coming to Portugap. Wow, wow wow on how you have transformed your home interior in the past 18 months. The sofa is a wonderful cozy addition. I enjoyed hearing about where you have come on yoir natural building journey and experience with intentional communities. I think that all educational after college is most valuable. I enjoyed seeing the Keela Yoga group working and visiting.

[@PortugalfromScratch]

I agree! I think I learned far more outside of university than in! 😁