Preparing our off-grid homestead for our first visitors!

[@Bopbopbernie]

That cut from the wee pot to the OJ really got me XD

[@diehrc]

me too, lol 😅

[@bobbalbirnie2478]

Those zip ties are useful, just be warned that the black ones are normally UV resistant but the white one are not and will fail quickly in the sun. I am enjoying watching you learn as you build and you discovered quickly that the MDF is not at all good for wet environments. Even normal plywood is not a lasting solution, if it is a wet/damp area you will need marine grade plywood for construction. Cheers, all the best in your journey!

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Oh thanks for the heads up about the zip ties! Well, I have plenty of black ones to replace them with. Hope the varnish helps on the loo unit, if not I guess we learned our lesson eventually!

[@wilksontour7981]

Please be aware, the tie wraps need cutting flush, otherwise the tails you left can cut your skin quite badly if you catch them.

[@ViolaM13]

Just found your channel. I love seeing your place growing. Seems like you alwasy need to do sth with visible result. The most Aah- effect was, when you fixed the water bassin. So beautiful. When people live in nature, they start to understand the circles and the need to close them

[@ginacrusco234]

You made a delightful accommodation for your guest! How kind of you to go all out to make the bathroom brighter, the toilet more user-friendly and the shower more private. I'm sure she will enjoy her stay -- as anyone in their right mind would in such a glorious spot.

[@peterbourquin6546]

Please put the rotten roof beam at your "priority to do list" at top! It is really dangerous, easy to repair and much better to do it now than later, when you have to repair a complete colapsed roof too.

[@julieannecook-artist]

Love watching your videos you work so hard & achieve so much 👌

[@asgeirandersen]

Harriet and Mauro! How kind of you doing the toilette and such for your friends to be comfortable !

[@100Noddy]

My mum and nan used to unpick old knitwear for the wool and then knit or crochet with it. Saved a fortune and the craft was like nothing you can buy manufactured.

[@janicedelp2775]

I'm so happy for you! Everything you put together turned out great. We do that a lot on our farm. Where there is a will, there is a way. Janice from Arkansas USA

[@hazzardoustime1968]

I wish your boy swift healing and a quick return home.

[@geoffcapper5025]

Great result on the toilet, shower and the tent, they turned out very well. If you start using soft/low tensile wire to build rough construction projects you'll never look at a cable tie the same again 😅 A Cobb & Co. hitch is great for tying things together, and you can reuse the wire over and over.

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Hahha something better than cable ties? I've got to try that!!

[@growvegwithme]

Thank you for explaining how your composting toilet works, it's something we are planning on having but I was unsure how exactly it was done so this was a big help 😀 I also share your love for crochet, it is very relaxing and there's nothing quite like something you've made yourself x

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Thank you, I am glad you found it useful! Good luck with your system :)

[@PennyGetsItTogether]

I love the sound of laughing friends. ☺️ Made me smile. Hope you have a wonderful time hanging out. P.S. Didn’t know about the zip ties. Thanks for the tip.

[@deborahlee8135]

How lovely to have your friend visit. I see lots of laughter and fun adventures for you all ❤❤❤

[@bytienl]

@Harriet, als bit crazy thought : if I would be God, I would be smiling om you! Your energy and work ethic is so admirable :)

[@anajoaquina]

Olá Harriet e Mauro, vendo e me encarando com seus vídeos lindos! Como és trabalhadora. Parabéns Do Rio de Janeiro 🇧🇷

[@madhatter909]

Harriet I think you are right about the paint!!!

[@Chestnut_tree]

Hello Harriet, I love how hard and calm you work! You have accomplished so much in this video!! Looks like your friend appreciate it!

[@bertslijkhuis3032]

I really admire the way you work hard to get everything completed! Awesome!

[@ruthquinn6229]

the tent . toilet etc are fabulous. love little tofu in the cabbages. well done on all your hard work.. ps, love your crocheting.xxx

[@deatraparks4739]

hello harriet--i am really enjoying your videos of your new home---i notice too how calm you seem and natural. i appreciate real people..i am learning new things from you also----thank you so much for sharing...i would love to crochet myself, you do great work---in everythingt---deatra

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Thank you, that's very kind!

[@rosadeleon8210]

Love your videos please don't take so long for another one, Blessings from California

[@johnsaintvincent8406]

Excellent your videos. I wish I lived near you, I could fix your cistern and irrigation system.

[@anamaria2053]

Congratulations on your full on guest accommodations! 👏👏👏

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Thank you!

[@anamaria2053]

@@LittleSpanishFarmstead I felt as if you, perhaps, received my wish because before I watched this video I told a friend about your vlog and how I’d like to volunteer next year. 😊😊😊

[@carmenalqueguivilla2633]

Estais haciendo un hogar muy acogedor.Sois muy creativos.Me encanta tus labores de crochet.un saludo

[@dazrod.]

Gracias por compartir Saludos 🏡🌴🪴🍂🐈🐕

[@madhatter909]

your crochet is lovely, I remember my mother doing it

[@jennyjohnson9012]

Wow I've just found your channel and I've caught up with all your videos. Absolutely loved them all. You are such a hard working couple. Looking forward to watching many more videos. How far have you come!! Amazing.

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Aww thank you, makes my day to read this kind of comment! Glad you enjoyed watching!!

[@saeedandalusi7579]

Fantastico😁Saludos from just across the mountains

[@MNHealey]

Use what you got! Love it!

[@mireiapadernblesa361]

Querida Harriet, Esa palmerita con la que has coronado el parapeto de tu ducha es "margalló" una de las dos únicas especies de palmera nativa de Europa. En Mas de Barberà, pueblo del sur de Tarragona que calculo teneis a una hora y pico de coche, hay el "Museu de la Pauma" donde programan muchos talleres para aprender a trabajar y tejer plantas y fibras, en especial el "margalló" que es la mas autóctona de la zona. También tienen algún tutorial...creo que te interesará.

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Hola Mireia, gracias por la identificación de la palma! Me encantaría ir a visitar ese museo, especialmente porque me encanta todo tipo de arte con fibras. Sería muy interesante. Gracias por mencionarlo! 💚

[@petro3441]

Very nicely done

[@marimarsol9932]

Hola gran trabajo 👌🏻, te recomiendo poner algun tipo de cinta de goma o silicona debajo la tapa del wc, con el calor pueden venir bichitos, y las bridas de plastico no duran mucho ya que se queman con el sol y se rompen, te recomiendo usar alambre , saludos

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Gracias... buena idea!!

[@zetorrin]

El DM no es un mal material, pero para ese uso yo utilizaría el DM Marino. No necesitaríais barnizar lo y sería mucho más higiénico, en Valencia no creo que tengáis problemas para conseguirlo.ok👍 Otra idea para vuestra ducha Solar, reciclando parte del tuvo, que comprasteis primero y desechasteis, por tener muy poca sección o diámetro, para alimentar el aljibe desde el manantial. Se trata de conectarlo a la salida del depósito que tenéis en la terraza, y llevarlo a un tejado cercano a la ducha, colocarlo sobre un soporte que aguante la intemperie en espiral, cuanto más diámetro tenga está más agua podrá contener y calentarse en el. Es un sistema pasivo que funciona muy bien. Pero en verano os aconsejaría conectarnos, a un grifo de ducha que os permita mezclarlo con agua fría para no coceros vivos puede llegar a salir con mucha presión e hirviendo. Por lo que la salida del depósito debe ser directa, para que actúe como vaso de expansión, cuando al calentarse se dilate, y pueda generar mucha presión en el circuito. Para su sujeción al soporte yo no utilizaría bridas, aunque también me encante utilizarlas. En interiores, pues en exteriores con el sol y el frío. No aguantan más de un par de años, y aquí tenemos añadido el sobrecalentamiento del tubo. Mejor un cable de acero, en 6 u 8 líneas radiales, con 1 mm. de sección valdría. Pre taladrar el soporte, en esas líneas, con la separación del tubo como medida, con un taladro de 4mm. sería suficiente, para pasar el cable en doble, introducir un clavo de acero, de un tamaño manejable, para tensarlo y manteniendo esa tensión, retorcerlo por la parte trasera para dejarlo fijado que quede sujeto pero sin comprimirlo excesivamente, para permitir algo de dilatación de los materiales, así podríais utilizar un solo cable por radio, si necesitarais desmontarlo con solo sacar los clavos podrías volver a rearmarlo sin problemas. Ok Yo realizaría el montaje en verano, tras tener el tubo al sol unas horas, para que el calor mejore su flexibilidad y facilidad de curvado. Partiría del exterior pues esto lo facilitaría y os ahorrará una conexión, con el tubo que viene del bidón ( medirlo previamente. Ok ) Y cuando no podáis enroscar lo más, colocarle dos codos, uno para derivarlo hacia la trasera del soporte , un trozo de tuvo para salvar el ancho del mismo y el elevador para darle el ángulo más apropiado para su calentamiento en invierno, en verano se calentará de sobra lo pongáis como lo pongáis. A ese tubo que sale del codo sería aconsejable conectar otro codo con una reducción de sección más apropiada para llevarlo asta la ducha y conectarlo a esta. También sería importante, tener en cuenta el peso de todo el calentador y el agua que puede llegar a contener ( estos tubos suelen estar marcados cada metro para conocer su longitud, apuntad la medida que marca al principio de la espiral, la medida que marque en el trozo que corteis, al terminarla y multiplicarlo los cm² de sección y tendréis los cm³ totales, pasarlo a litros y hay tenéis el peso total. ) Para por ejemplo, reacer el tejado que quitasteis junto al trastero y que pueda soportarlo.!! Bueno espero que os pueda ser útil el concepto, y si tenéis cualquier duda, de mi farragosa explicación, no os corteis en preguntarlo. Ok

[@dianaborges4191]

Espero tus vídeos cada semana con ilusión, jeje 😻👏🏾👏🏾

[@AntonioSanchez-mf3fg]

Me encanta lo que hacéis y la manera de mostrarlo en vuestros videos😄. Hace dos meses mi pareja yo nos compramos una finca con una casa cueva en Almería y hay millones de cosas por hacer, desde que amanece hasta que se hace de noche haciendo cosas😱😅. No sé cómo sacáis tiempo para grabar y editar videos👍👍👌

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Hola Antonio, gracias! Me siento totalmente igual que tú, demasiadas cosas por hacer.... pero a veces las ganas de mostrar una tarea completa en el video me da ánimo para continuar jaja, así que ayuda un poco!

[@kmcg3791]

Industrious as always, and love the crochetwork, much better value than most other "hobbies" if you work on the euros/hour basis! Lovely to see that you'd worked out the hack to make tall posts easier to install. IMV there's a place for cable ties as a temporary fix, but baling wire and a pair of the fencing pliers they sell in agricultural stores are much stronger and more sustainable. Preferably don't cut the zip ties - sharp edges, more bad plastic and reduced reusability - and use a small flat-bladed screwdriver to separate them if you've joined two or more (practice beforehand until you've got the knack!). If you are lucky and everybody has a good aim you will get a couple of years out of the mdf loo: watch Bush Radical on YT for ideas for mark 2. Palm spines - a billhook and strong gloves help (we've got vicious acacia in our hedges, and I know how painfully thay can scratch). A final thought, I noticed that the chain saw looked to have a very blunt chain. Invest in a couple of files, one round and one flat (better still, the Stihl all-in-one tool is more expensive but easier to use) and then study their use at YT University while you are crocheting. They will save the chain, increase the life of the machine, and make cutting quicker, safer and a lot less effort. Not being critical, just offering some thoughts borne from experience. And if I were a visitor, I'd be thrilled at the way you'd fitted the tent out - chapeau.

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Aw thank you, that's very kind of you! All useful comments too, need to expand my DIY skills to wire next I think haha, a few people have mentioned that. The chainsaw was borrowed and the owner did warn us it was blunt, but for a quick job of getting that messy area under control it wasn't too bad. I hope we don't need to get our own because I am trying to avoid fossil fuel powered things as much as possible, but if we do, it'll def be a Stihl! ;)

[@wolfganghenning4974]

Close the door and it's tidy. Brilliant 🙂 👍👍💪💪🙏

[@rickardenstedt]

Careful that the cement will be hard even if you cover with plastic. Condensation and humidity is slowly getting in to the paper bags. Store it in the room with that metal door and throw that pipe somewhere else. Is my suggestion only. Ofcourse, if you're going to use the cement in the near future it's ok i guess Regards Rickard from Sweden 🇸🇪

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Eeek it won't fit in the other room, there is like 0 floor space because the floor is just rocks, it's impossible. I'll just have to hope I can use it soon or cross my fingers for not too damp weather!

[@rickardenstedt]

@@LittleSpanishFarmstead yes, you're probably going to use it soon. Lovely video, as usual. Looking forward to the summer. Rickard

[@mattlovejoy5536]

Great video's. Love how much you like the cable ties, did u know they can be reused if you stick a knife blade down the back of them 👍

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

hahaha no I didn't. They just keep getting better and better!

[@Believeittwo]

@@LittleSpanishFarmstead Caution about Zip Ties/Cable Ties. The cut ends are very sharp and should be turned or rotated around the post in position not sticking out for a bump on human legs, arms, body. If rotation isn't an options, carefully heat up ends with portable torch then bending ends away/over with needle nose plies.

[@geralonso1997]

para pintar mejor rodillo de espuma o tela dependiendo superficie fina o rugosa que quieras tener, gastas menos pintura u cubre mejor, para no lastimar las manos rodea la lija con un estropajo de esos con espuma, para atar los mástiles mejor alambre galvanizado 0.2mm 0.3 mm con unas tenazas, las bridas de fibra las degrada el frío y el sol rompiéndose al año , un saludo y buena fortuna en el proyecto

[@martinsbaraglia]

MDF está compuesta con resina y otros químicos para unir la mezcla con el acerrin de madera, al lijarlo deberían usar mascarilla para evitar particulas en las vías respiratorias. Solo un consejo no quiero que suene a crítica. Sigan subiendo material los amo me encantan. Abrazo fuerte

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Gracias Martin, no sabía eso cuando estaba trabajando con el MDF pero ahora varias personas me han comentado lo mismo y lo tendré en cuenta la próxima vez! No lo tomo como crítica para nada, aprendo muchísimo de los comentarios que hacéis y siempre los agradezco! Un abrazo!

[@laundrydayagain1128]

We used an old wooden blanket chest we found in house in Portugal for the compost loo but that is also going a bit mouldy over winter at the bottom. Im thinking about tiling with some very cheap tiles from Leroy after removing the mould. Also neat tea tree is v good to prevent mould. Would love to know where you got the plastic bucket with lid. We have looked everywhere for one.

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

That's funny, I have an old chest too which I considered using, maybe that would have been better! Tiling could be a good idea. I found the bucket on Amazon, searching for 'compost loo bucket'. Not sure what country you're in but on Spanish amazon they have it.

[@laundrydayagain1128]

@@LittleSpanishFarmstead Great we can get it in Portugal then.

[@CrankyBubushka]

I am a new subscriber and have to say i love crochet also :)

[@tanjadugalic156]

Great vid!

[@mgoldfield5821]

Always a bright spot when you post, Harriet! Love watching what you and Mauro are up to. And you have a cat now! What is that cat’s name?

[@MauroGestoso]

Botijo. It's a Spanish clay container used to cool down water.

[@suesparks4301]

Love watching you guys, all great stuff And you are funny!! Finally subbed now 👍 greetings from Castellón and I would like a day visit when the weather warms up a bit... y menos para hacer en nuestras castia. 😁 My Spanish needs a little work too 🙈

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Hola Sue! Bienvenido! 🧡

[@suesparks4301]

@@LittleSpanishFarmstead Hola y muchas gracias!! We are only 6 months in and not permanent as yet... just me and my mum most of the time, whom I look after and so am always busy busy! I can't wait to get to planting small crops as I do love any organically grown food. You are a very inspiring and charming young couple and I do hope we get to share skills and produce down the line... Good luck and keep posting 😁👍

[@ninemoonplanet]

MDF is definitely not a good idea. You may need to add plastic (I abhor plastic) film on the interior surfaces to keep moisture rot out. Stain may slow the growth of mould, but not forever.

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

I know that now 😭 Hopefully will last us a bit of time and we'll do v2 better!

[@deborahlee8135]

It's important to use a mask when cutting or sanding MDF. Love the composting loo.

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Oh I didn't think of that. Thanks for the heads up!

[@deborahlee8135]

Yeah, it can be nasty. Probably the worst composite material. 👍

[@janohdegroot989]

I think I would make a wooden plank with drilled holes 🕳 for the legs of the bed and bench to protect the tent floor. Be good 👋

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Ohhh yeah that's not a bad idea!

[@happysing9070]

Nice

[@SilverLady61]

you will want to empty the liquid frequently to avoid condensation on the MDF.

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Yes we do! And to avoid overflows....

[@huertoyflores1439]

Hola harriet primero me desoriente porque cambiaste el nombre del canal pero siempre miro tus videos hermoso proyecto!!!

[@judithwilton1383]

MDF will swell when it gets wet. It will not be very hygienic with cleaning over time.

[@jamescarpio2636]

Guys MDF is not to be used in any wet area no matter how much you seal it You need plywood or better marine plywood

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

I know that now 😭 Hopefully we helped someone avoid the same mistake from this video!

[@mompuff6857]

Many KZbinrs call solar companies & review their products & you get to keep their product for free!! Great way to have extra solar panels etc!! Please contact KZbin to set you up!! If people like the products you review & buy them from your KZbin site you make some extra money when they buy them from your site!!! 🤗🤗🤗

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

EcoFlow gave us a portable power station to try out earlier this year and it's been super useful!

[@educrearte]

Felicidades! En qué provincia se encuentran?

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

En Castellón :)

[@MauroGestoso]

Thank you for not showing my awful drawings. 😅

[@mgoldfield5821]

😂😂

[@punjabseth260]

👌🏻👌

[@anitaklamer3360]

Why didnt you put the stuff in the right barn-room where you put the pipes? It seems to be covered and has a door. Rain wont do your cement any good🤔

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

The other room has no floor space, and no shelves. The floor is just rocks, it's pretty full of rubbish anyway, and I couldn't have stacked those bags up in there. I am hoping covering the bags helps with the rain. I can't do any better than that until we have more storage space 🤷‍♀️

[@LynnBoergermann]

Pine burns very hot due to all the sap

[@coby6417]

🌟👍🍀💐

[@briandavis28]

Fence may be a fire hazard, cut your cable ties flush or they will cut you when walking by it.

[@columbar]

Eso de regar las plantas (y mojando hojas y frutos) con el pipi como que no lo veo...

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

sí sí, siempre lavamos las hortalizas antes de comerlas, no pasa nada 😂

[@duded471]

Hopefully I'll b there next wk, u need a hand? I'm a master carpenter and qualified plumber. I set up homesteading. If u would like the help?

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

That's a kind offer - I work almost full time though so a bit tricky to have guests at the moment but will update everyone as soon as that changes!

[@rocioguerrerogarcia5485]

Me gusta mucho vuestro blog pero soy española y los subtítulos están en inglés y no entiendo nada por favor español

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Hola Rocio he puesto subtítulos en castellano en todos los videos, cuando haces clic en el icono de subtítulos, hay una opción para cambiar el idoma de los subtítulos, espero que eso te ayude

[@rocioguerrerogarcia5485]

En español

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Tiene subtítulos

[@wilksontour7981]

Have you changed your title name ?

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

yeah, previously it had our location in it, which I decided to remove and call ourselves something more descriptive!

[@madhatter909]

Great job on the shower. I'd shower in it.

[@wilksontour7981]

Have you changed your name my husband is sure you were called something different?

[@LittleSpanishFarmstead]

Yes we did, we wanted to take the location out of the channel name and social media handles so we thought of something else!

[@null574]

Google "mdf board carcinogenic", I use construction plywood. Breathing that dust is not good.