Portuguese House Renovation: Overcoming a Challenging Start to 2025

[@The-Quinta]

Hi everyone! Sorry for the delay in our videos. It will be apparent why in this video. Hopefully we’re back on track now and are looking forward to this coming year. Thanks for all the support and encouragement. 2025, let’s do it! ❤

[@CoelhoChewy]

I was getting nervous.

[@susanknight8961]

@@The-Quinta life happens, I enjoy your videos a lot. You and your brother. It looks like a beautiful part of the world. I live in New Hampshire but from Northern England. I love it here, but hope to visit your area soon. All the best xxx

[@Nena84734]

I’ve had that flu and it was no joke, I had my flu shot too. It just left me coughing with absolutely no energy at all, solid two weeks plus.

[@SammyLamby]

Another lovely episode James and Cristina. Glad you're feeling better. Just had to Shazam the song at 14:16, so enchanting, my favorite song of 2025 so far so thank you! x

[@YvonneBradley-i6k]

Could you give me the name of the song please. It’s beautiful. 😍😍

[@SammyLamby]

@@YvonneBradley-i6k Yes, it's 'While you can (feat. Julia Holmström) The Eastern Plain' 🎶💌🙂

[@YvonneBradley-i6k]

@ thank you. 😘

[@SammyLamby]

@@YvonneBradley-i6k Just found the Lyrics, and they're beautiful ... Heart filled with worries (no more) In a world full of sorrow (what for?) You watched the world from the place beneath the willow, the willow. So many years too many tears on your pillow, on your pillow. Out of the darkness (a sound) It don't seem so harmless (a silver light) Don't you wait, don't you wait until the morning light, the morning light. Far away, far away, until you're out of sight, you're out of sight. Cause you gotta let go while you can Don't look back, don't forget, you gotta let go while you can x2 Don't you wait, don't you wait until the morning light, the morning light. Far away, far away, until you're out of sight, you're out of sight. Cause you gotta let go while you can, gotta let go while you can. Don't look back, don't forget, you gotta let go while you can. x4

[@YvonneBradley-i6k]

@ thank you, I’d already googled them. The lyrics are so lovely and very apt for me at this moment in time. I love her voice too, it’s ethereal. X

[@meglange3595]

Well, lovely as you chaps are, I must agree that I do miss Cristina being in the videos, and your home projects. 😁!! I will be most pleased to see more of both👍. James, hope you are much improved by now and feeling quite yourself again. I had the flu the whole week of Christmas. Nasty sort of situation, to be sure. Don't wish it on anyone. 😖 Take care!! See you next time. 🥰

[@Dm16G12]

Glad to see another video out! I was getting worried 😅

[@leeboss373]

It’s not that you can’t lay blocks, it’s your technique that’s the problem. You’re leveling and plumbing every block when you should just level and plumb the end blocks, run a line between them and run in. Much easier and quicker.

[@The-Quinta]

Yeah my technique is rubbish, but because these blocks don’t have mortar on the ends I’d have to be very precise with setting up the end blocks. Right now with my limited skills at this works for me. What I need is a professional to physically show me the small secrets to doing it and then I’ll have it. I’m a very fast learner.

[@JonEKatt]

I'm glad you're feeling better. Guard your health. It is your most valuable asset.

[@janettaylor3182]

I miss you're video's so exciting to see you change the building into a home like your last one will be beautiful when you have finished , the horrible flu is about all over the place I don't bother with the flu jab did once in my 40s I was ill for over a year . You do brilliant work there's no denying that I have to watch you week after week did houses up start of 1970 , just something about creating a home from a mess work of art love you both ❤❤❤

[@miniade1]

Take it easy guys, life gets in the way a lot but don’t push yourself too much.. I always enjoy your videos and having Flu is no joke at all.. you both have a lot on your plate at the moment so go at the correct pace. All the best to you both. Take care

[@katefinnegan8129]

Glad to see you are feeling a bit better James. I’m sure Christina is busy, but it would be nice to see her now and again at the job site. Have a wonderful week.

[@amaresch66]

One thing I learned is that simple rarely means easy, especially when it comes to renovations. Those of us who have done the type of work you are doing understand the frustration of doing a lot of work and not having a lot of progress to show. Keep on keeping on, we're all excited for the journey and looking forward to the finished project.

[@NicoletteEBedford]

Omw...James and Christina, you're set for the Winter! Hope pellet packs were, " on special"! Lots of orange juice and a siesta in afternoon, James..you were out of breath, so please, recover sensibly. Glad the rain will make you do that. What would we do without our cuppa...and an Oatees biscuit or three!

[@pauljmclucky]

Happy Birthday James, God Bless you for pushing through even when not feeling your best. Take care of your health, we need you to be healthy.

[@coraannetoledo-merritt1220]

how nice that you have the time to look at the sunrise especially as you are feeling so rotten - I hope that doesn't last too long - take care of yourself.

[@veemount3803]

Happy Belated Birthday James, working that man flu like a pro but progress is still happening, lovely to see Cristina 😊

[@The-Quinta]

Thank you Vee. 😊

[@allanb9360]

Take care of your health James. Nice to see you back Christina 👍👍 Happy New Year all

[@The-Quinta]

Thank you Allan 😊

[@cindycreateforlife]

Oh James, my heart goes out to you, the flu is no joke! I really hope things settle down for you and Christina, you’ve been working too hard! Wishing you both good health and much happiness in 2025!💕🇨🇦

[@billyinwaves]

Great to see you back - but don't apologise for taking a break, or for life and weather issues. Good luck with winter rain. It's on its way here too, plus we have just 3 degrees here in the south of the UK.

[@janenicholas-kh7lb]

Allow for some ventilation & air flow in the battery room. It's a small área & will get quite warm in there.

[@The-Quinta]

All in the plan👍🏻

[@Cathy-ty3fp]

Lovely to see you Christina, and glad you feel better James ❤

[@The-Quinta]

Thank you Cathy ☺️

[@dawnfitzgerald2951]

Pellets for life😘❤️🇨🇦

[@ReneeF777]

Yay! Perfect timing and I'm the 2nd person to watch tonight! I love watching you all build your projects and show your love and respect to each other. Thank you for being there!

[@knelson5442]

Match the facade of the electrics building with the facade of the outdoor kitchen. Attach the roof from that design cue. I think the roof coming straight on the facade will look good. Adds sightlines as far back as the drive that you might otherwise loose.

[@dyslexiaDIY]

You really do have a slice of heaven❣️❣️

[@The-Quinta]

We are very fortunate 👍🏻😊

[@joanlovelace7338]

So good to see you back, although a cold isn't fun. Lots of work to tackle. What a beautiful song 🎶👍🎶👍🎶👍.

[@DonBigMango]

Belated HBD James - sweet 16 +++lol ..... Love to see Christine again and quick peak at The Quinta

[@The-Quinta]

Thank you. 😊

[@constancestine1020]

So sorry you have been ill, please pace yourself! We will wait for both of you! Also, wishing you a very happy belated birthday!❤

[@The-Quinta]

Thank you! 🙏

[@Reet64]

Take good care of yourselves as you accomplish your goals! That way you can enjoy them better when they're done!

[@The-Quinta]

Absolutely!! 😊👍🏻

[@louise637]

Ahh Cristina and The Quinta! Nice to see again 💚 That is a lot of pellets haha! Great video James, looking forward to all the shenanigans in '25!

[@johncooper5293]

Miss seeing Christina. Lovely to see you both together. I understand your pain as had to move 2 tonnes of coal bags for my winter supplies in UK.

[@The-Quinta]

Moving coal is much worse! Definitely looking forward to working more with Cristina 😊

[@kyleesteban467]

You just popped up. Your channel is "one" of the few I will stop watch other channels to watch Yours. I l👀k forward for Your show. 🙌🤙 A lot for me to learn from You. Even Masters are still learning.

[@joannebrazeau6533]

I love your videos and I always look forward to the next! Good luck guys, I’m rooting for you! Blessings James to your man flu, they are the worst🤭 ❤️🎶🤗🎶🦋

[@CoolGrey7Man]

First off, I absolutely enjoy your videos, you produce some great episodes. Nice that you give us an update by walking the site, that gives a better understanding on what is happening. Regarding getting old and your back, yeah I know we all are getting old but by continuing to be active keeps you strong and mobile. I'm 70 and can still shovel a ditch without any pains, haha. If you don't use it, you lose it! Regarding the rain. When I installed around my house inner-locking bricks/stone work here in Canada I wasn't overly excited that it rained but because of the rain it helped to compact down the crushed aggregate and concrete sand. Once it dried out I tampered it down again. Many years after I had no movement or upheaval of any stones or bricks, so Look on the Bright Side of Life. :)

[@gioc4596]

Progress is progress even if it is slow and steady. Continue the good work!

[@The-Quinta]

Will do 👍🏻

[@Nena84734]

You’ve been doing right by me!

[@Laney68]

So lovely to see Cristina's smiley face ! I've missed it ! ... James take your time and get your strength back, no good running yourself down. Love to you both ♥️

[@The-Quinta]

It certainly is! I’m the lucky one that gets to see her everyday. Crazy rain at the moment so resting. 😊

[@CoelhoChewy]

We do miss Linda.

[@erichall4458]

Happy birthday James not suppressing you have man flu and you are run down great to see your progress and that Johnathan is working hard for you and of course great to see your wife back

[@kimbreadman4754]

Hope you’re feeling better soon, take good care 🩵💛

[@The-Quinta]

Thank you, I will Kim

[@1000djf]

The most important thing in life is your health ! Great see you back especially the boss lady 👍

[@The-Quinta]

Definitely need to keep healthy. 😊👍🏼

[@DeirdreHickey-nx8nt]

Dreadful weather James. I. Glad you are feeling better. Things are coming along nicely. I too am delighted to see Christina back, I know she is up to her eyes, but I hope she can spare us. Few shots. Belated happy birthday James ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@tracey4474]

Good to see you both and happy new year. I also watch the positano diaries and they have to get their pellets down 500 steps then in to their basement so take the small win ?

[@DeirdreHickey-nx8nt]

Ahhh, the boss is back. Hello Christina ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼😂😂😂

[@marionalexander4108]

Hope you feel better soon

[@The-Quinta]

Thank you👍🏻

[@gillianroberts2567]

Aww sorry you’re not feeling so good, it’s very nice to see you and Johnathan working so well together, I’m sure it’s a much better working environment for you now 😊, will be nice to see a bit more of Christina 🌻

[@JJPHAT777]

Be sure to make time for each other. That's more important than content.

[@The-Quinta]

Very true 👍🏻

[@annadev9803]

A1lways good music!! Take care of you James

[@The-Quinta]

Thanks, getting plenty of rest at the moment.

[@martinshaw1610]

Get well soon James

[@The-Quinta]

Working on it 👍🏻

[@susanknight8961]

Happy Birthday and new year. Hopefully you’re feeling better and the weather hold up. The place is looking better all the time. It’s such a big job, lucky you have a great happy helper. He is very talented.

[@The-Quinta]

Thanks 👍

[@jayneward6649]

Hope James feels better soon,💙 I've had that flu thing just after Christmas, it's not nice, glad to see you again Christina ❤ I understand what's been going on & I say, take your time, I have missed your videos, & will welcome them back, take care both of you ❤❤❤❤

[@robrichards6219]

Loved the music.

[@The-Quinta]

Glad you liked it👍🏻

[@brianedelstein1271]

Oi! One of the first 25 viewers in the first 5 minutes of the release! How often does that happen?? 😁 Welcome back, and a happy New Year to you and yours from Western NY!

[@brianedelstein1271]

Also, for the record, the girlfriend has had pneumonia 3x this year and I just got over a misery quite similar to yours. Hoping you're much improved - and I bet Andrew would be happy to take some of those pellets off your hands to help heat his new bedroom! ✌️😏

[@SuperJalepeno1]

Superb you guys 👏 😎 may the weather and man flu pass you by muito rapido 🙏💪👌😊

[@The-Quinta]

Thank you 🙌

[@williammcrae3177]

I would be inclined to shape the roof of the electrical room similar to the outdoor kitchen roof where it flattens out at the front.

[@The-Quinta]

That was originally the plan but it’s quite complicated to do that with the roof we are putting on

[@Rebeca-sd1md]

Nice to see you Cristina 😊 get better James 👍

[@The-Quinta]

Thank you 😊

[@terrylink6174]

Well done guys 😊

[@The-Quinta]

Thanks Terry. 😊👍🏼

[@terrylink6174]

@ 😊

[@arjanvogel6444]

Thanks James for your vid 😇💟💟💟 Love and bless you guys 🙏💞 good work 👍😁💪👌👏

[@The-Quinta]

Thank you! 😊👍🏼

[@James-um8pq]

those blocks look fine

[@miriammuskal5402]

Happy belated birthday 🎂🎉

[@The-Quinta]

Thank you so much 😀

[@wendywood5381]

Good to see you wearing your safety crocs lol. Happy birthday

[@The-Quinta]

Haha! Thank you!

[@JadjaVanParghove444111]

Get well soon and happy birthday to James🎉🎉🥂🥳🥳🥳🎊🎈🍻🍾🥂 Happy New Year and may this year will be a fantastic one❤

[@The-Quinta]

Thanks so much 😊

[@EastLondonKiwi]

Hi James, hoping you are recovering and feeling better. I have a question regarding the retaining wall at Detliv's behind the new solar shed. There seems to be a tall area of soil there, and I have not heard you speak about the retention of the land. I am wondering if you have considered any drainage for that retaining system yet. Based on the principle that moister is the heaviest part of the equation when holding back soil. The easiest way to remove leverage from soil pushing against a wall is to install the means for any moister in that to travel to the bottom of the wall (usually via a gravel layer) and into a French drain, which can then transport the water safely away at footing level where the wall has the most strength to handle the pressure. It seems while you have the wall under construction and no obstacles it would be a great time to install the lower section of a drainage system, eg setting the drain levels and possibly even the perforated pipe. On the building and block wall side as you go up a waterproof membrane prevents any stray water from getting into those structures, and on the soil side is a silt cloth that allows water to pass through but not soil in the form of fine silt, which will block the gravel and make it less effective. Sandwiched in between these two elements and on top of the pipe is gravel at least 3/4 the height of the wall and as wide as the pipe diameter, this does the lion's share of water movement vertically. The excess water I assume Detliv would direct into swales or areas it would be of use eg the base of fruit trees or some other plantings? I have used this approach with great success on a few walls now. and got to this point after building two walls early on in my DIY journey only for them to be pushed over 6 months later, which is very disappointing. Anyway, just a thought and a question I am sure you have well in hand. Take care D

[@__Dude_]

Happy Birthday, James!

[@The-Quinta]

Thank you 😊

[@janwilliams4282]

Pushing through that flu is rough. Sure, hope you are feeling better. Andrew mentioned he came over to visit in his latest video. He is so private he would ignore this question but, how far away from each other are you two? It's nice brothers can keep in touch. Love your place.

[@The-Quinta]

He’s a few minutes away! 😊

[@annabellerogers5369]

I love watching your videos

[@The-Quinta]

That’s nice to know 😊

[@YvonneBradley-i6k]

Good to see you back, I missed your videos. Could you give me the name of the song you used about 14 mins in, it was beautiful. 😍😍

[@42apprentice]

Feel better Mister and don’t spread yourself too thinly!

[@The-Quinta]

Will do 😊👍🏻

[@gathan5286]

Happy belated birthday, all the best for 2025

[@The-Quinta]

Thank you 😊👍🏻

[@carolleenkelmann3829]

65 bags of pellets! Not sure if the flu helps or hinders the thinking process when you don't know where to store them. Gute Besserung and take it easy. Just as well you can rely on Jonathan. I don't remember you talking directly about replacing the small building that 'fell down' but I was wondering if you had to get approval from the Camino for all the alterations in the flooring? As far as I can remember there was no toilet or drainage to the little shed.

[@The-Quinta]

I’ve talked a lot about that building. It didn’t fall down, we took it down because it became unsafe. It was an outside bathroom so no change of use.

[@James-um8pq]

Hi James, rain seems to be an issue there at certain times as Andy has had same issues, is it worth planning a temporary sump to create a lower pump point, now its mute as spring summer on way, but for future, also will it cause damp in future when it rains hard🤔

[@kentaaffe566]

Love the music. What is the name. 😂

[@insAneTunA]

👍

[@The-Quinta]

😊

[@heathermorgan2265]

Pleased your better now .but I do like the pink lipstick really suits you 😅😅😅😅

[@The-Quinta]

No idea what you’re talking about, but thank you. 😂

[@marilynm8812]

Was wondering if this job was stopping your work at home. Hope you feel better. I don't know how you figure out what to do next. Do you keep a log or keep it all in your head? HAPPY BIRTHDAY. 🎉 No honey pokey.

[@The-Quinta]

The renovation is taking up our time, but so is everything else that goes on in our life. I’m excited to see some change at the Quinta. It’s not going to be easy, but we are determined to see some change at home. Everything is in my head. I’m planning to get a big whiteboard to start getting some order into the tasks we have in front of us. 😊

[@leeboss373]

I’ve got that flu and a flat tyre, spooky😅

[@The-Quinta]

Hope you feel better soon! 3 weeks now and I still feel crap.

[@kyleesteban467]

Have You ever thought of building a tower, for the view? Like a turret...?

[@evelyngorfram9306]

A pallet of pellets? You could probably poach a pretty pullet with the heat from that. 😜

[@magsb3]

With all those pellets your rabbits are going to be well fed! LOL Well done for persevering. Take care not to set yourself back with your virus through working too hard.

[@The-Quinta]

Haha! Trying to take it easy while the rain is here. 😊

[@TheSmudgley]

I don't understand why you have put concrete columns in that small building when you could of just used the blocks, looking good tho😊

[@The-Quinta]

Columns at the front to support the overhang of the roof columns at the back to strengthen the retaining wall. Hope that helps 😊

[@leeboss373]

You want to invest in some line and pins.

[@The-Quinta]

We have the line and pins already setup for the retaining wall using the rebar as our guide line 👍🏻

[@ThomasSlayer]

If you skip the talking you can shorten the video by 20 minutes.

[@The-Quinta]

Or if I skip the work my video will be shorten by 20 minutes. Thanks for watching!

[@troothseeker7312]

You have always got something to do James when the outside is boggy, your Reno is HUGE! I L💗VE S👀ING Christina in your Videos 👏👏👏👏👏but can appreciate you are all very busy🤗 ✨The Wall is L👀KING FAB🤩 finished with fill-in✨ 🌟GREAT WORK EVERYBODY🌟 Agree sometime a video cannot catch the emotional visual effect you get when you take the time to view how Beautiful our Earth is🤗it is definitely a wonderful time to be alive & part of this. James get into 1 Lemon, a Thumb length of Grated Ginger, a Tablespoon of Honey & Hot Water, drink while hot🥵 rug up & sweat it out. I drink this all the time it is a beautiful daily drink which keeps my immune system good as the weather is always changing😉 🙌👏👏👏👏🌟🌈🫶💫🇦🇺

gas heating for a period of a month?!? plus you are on algarve, a good portuguese wool sweater and working your ass off should give enough heating for the day and a thick blanket helps through the night... come on mate, don't be a woss. this isn't the artic! 😜😂🤣 even with pellet heater it would be enough to raise temp by 10º C to be confortable indoors. need tropical temps? travel further!

[@kyleesteban467]

Your Wife sounds like she speake "English" with a Dutch Afrikaans dialect?

[@AdrienneLouw-hl3fg]

She is Portuguese

[@stella971]

You are a very talented man , Wat I don't understand is WY you are building sash tine rooms , is going to feel claustrophobic , don't look like you took your wife's needs in consideration .

[@The-Quinta]

Not sure my wife has any wish to go and sit in an electric storage room, but in case she does, there’s a toilet in there. 😉 Thanks for watching!

[@simonlewis6276]

Light weight sandwich board roof does not need bulky concrete viegas under it on such a short span and small building .Defeats the object of using it in the first place .

[@The-Quinta]

Yes I’m aware of that. I was looking more on a visual bases