We Left the UK to Build Our Own Off Grid Home

Mentioned in this video:
Luke and Sarah's Off Grid Life: ‪@lukeandsarahsoffgridlife‬
Nick's Channel: ‪@projectportugal‬
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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.

[@manjularamanujan3624]

After seeing Nick helping both of you, I started watching Project Portugal. Amazing person! His wife too. All four of you are inspiring.

[@jennya2439]

Nick is a legend!!!

[@DanSmith-v4l]

Everyone needs an Uncle Nick. He has so much knowledge and is willing to share it and encourage others.

[@michalf6460]

love the begining specialy ! the dog jumping, the music, the slow paste, the sounds, the closups

[@FrankieOffGrid]

☺️☺️

[@katiadp2145]

It's looking great the wall,uncle Nick super hero !!!

[@julieking4828]

My dad was a brick mason. As a child I helped mix mortar and cement in his industrial size electric mixer. Every time you mix mortar it brings back fond memories. I love your videos and seeing your pets.

[@welshlyn9097]

No you didn’t 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@FiuMcFadyen]

Those two dogs sitting side by side waiting for Dad to come home tug at the heart strings…and he’s only been gone for the day ….love all your animals ❤❤❤

[@davidcuttle4340]

They say it’s only mad dogs and Englishmen , but your all doing a great job to increase my viewing pleasure. Again keep up the good work.

[@reflexologista]

Hi guys ! I follow you almost since beginning. Such a beautifull way you are following. I left South Portugal to South East Asia for 6 months, then I'll move to South America. I am 51 soon and so much to do before getting too old 😉. If I was your age, I would have done the same. Congratulations for all the seeds your are spreading in the brains of the people who watch your videos. Lot's of love to you all (including animals and plants) ♥️ Claude

[@FrankieOffGrid]

Thanks so much Claude, enjoy all your adventures ☺️

[@spicynomad]

do you have a channel?

[@DavidPaulNewtonScott]

I have land in the Philippines I will be living in Portugal and the Philippines 6 months each. Regarding South America the place I would fancy is Chile I hate rain so portugal and Chile are great. I suspect Chile would be dirt cheap to live in.

[@junco477]

Great to see Luke, Sarah and Molly, then Nick. Gorgeous wall for the drive.

[@soniaayachealmeida7111]

Hello, I loved seeing Diogo jumping looking like a deer on the grass 😂 🥰. The entrance will look beautiful. Hugs from Brazil 🇧🇷 💚💝💐🥰

[@marlenegearon4709]

Great video. It's nice to see the wonderful friends helping friends. Wouldn't it be wonderful if you could find a huge beach umbrella to move along as you are working in that horrendous heat ?!!! After the driveway is done it would be cool to have some unique solar lights at the entrance of the drive.

[@spicynomad]

its funny, i found sarah and luke the other day and 10 other portugal builds and when they said they were going to see frankie i had to rewind. i was soo excited. im now up to 30 something channels in portugal alone all different approach to getting the homestead running.❤❤

[@MTknitter22]

You all were wise wise to go there and enjoy the beautiful FREEDOM of that type rural lifestyle. Hard work like that is so rewarding and good for you even tho at the time, it’s “oh my gosh this is hard!”

[@michelrosier468]

Nick is the master, the teacher, pay attention because the man is educating you lot

[@merlin5lt1]

Very nice to see your dogs & cats enjoying the farm.

[@uppanadam]

Cat sees long grass too play and imagine in!! Dad chops down grass!! Cat not speaking too either of you for three days straight!! LOL!! P.S....love the chilling music!! Had a full six hour session in the kitched today myself!! So I'm just relaxing with a glass of wine watching your videos and watching you guys work your butts off!! LOL!!

[@carolbulmer8253]

Hi, Carissa and Iwan. Lots of hot and busy work in this video. I particularly enjoyed watching Diogo this time. You have done a super job socializing him. It’s good that Luke and Sarah can use your hay for their goats. The driveway wall is looking really good, thanks to Nick❤️ See you next week❤️❤️

[@panagiotakonstantopoulou962]

Hi Carissa, you can pick and stuff those courgette flowers with rice, pine nuts, feta cheese, parsley, olive oil and dill, salt&pepper to taste. Popular dish in Greece in the summer. And it doesn't need long in the oven, 35-45 minutes.

[@FrankieOffGrid]

Ooh will definitely give that a go!

[@panagiotakonstantopoulou962]

@@FrankieOffGrid You'll love it!! Forgot to include 1 onion, diced and fried in olive oil and add to rice mixture. Also 2-3 fresh tomatoes grated: add 2 cups to rice mixture; the last cup add with 1 cup of water to pan so they don't stick. To avoid further sticking I would layer 1-2 courgette slices to the bottom of the pan. When finished with stuffing add a plate on top so they don't start bursting apart. Sorry a bit long-winded I know. But it is delicious.

[@yolieslife1111]

I love your new style of videos. It is so nice that you have a community to help each other with work projects

[@glennathornhill8994]

I love to see that no matter how hard you work there is time to play and interact with your animals. Lovely life balance!

[@Winnie-hq5hs]

Me too. Makes me happy☺️☺️☺️

[@CarolinaSanz-qy3hz]

I LOVE how you help one another. It's beatiful to see this kind of Life and Friends.

[@deborahwhite2339]

The homestead is experiencing progress. You guys are doing a great job. Super Hero Nick is a great help and teacher. The doggies and kitties are so sweet.🙂👍👍🇨🇦

[@bevtrue6937]

So much hard work but great progress. Thank you, Nick and co. for your help. Huge progress.

[@maureenlowther7621]

The homestead is looking good it was lovely having help to build your wall you guys are doing an amazing job.❤️❤️❤️

[@teresarubel2182]

Great seeing the progress you make. Happy coincidence for me having subscribed to the channels of both you & Sarah/Nick.

[@Winnie-hq5hs]

Nick is Superman😊 And Joau is out of the cage. Hope the cone is off by now❤ Thanks for the nice video. The driveway looks great.

[@CynthiaEvans-i2f]

Nick is a great friend to you, and he knows his stuff.

[@daffs0]

Great video Love how you all help each other need more of that in this world D is like a kangaroo when he goes in the long grass 😂 Thank you for sharing 😁

[@magicwendy210]

lovely video, nicks singing was cute 😁 the drive walls are looking good

[@MarianneInmarsilia]

It’s hot here in southern France, but looks much warmer there right now….courage ! Your Uncle Nick is amazing

[@idafisher8327]

I love how you all help each other.

[@mariadange06]

Ubiquitous Nick built a wonderful stone wall with his two apprentices 👍🏻 Joey-Diego's hip is practically healed hopping about 🦘❤ Glad Luke & Sarah got to feed their goats with your hay.

[@ruthconstantino6861]

So many wonderful helpers! Awesome rhat you could pass your hay to Luke and Sarah for their fussy goats. I, too, am waiting to hear if they liked it 😄. If you have more you don't need, maybe the Blake (Molly, Sandra, Alex) family of Quinta Fonte da Pipa channel might like some for their herd of milking mamas their next trips into CB? I'm asking the universe for a baby hay bailer for you and your future mini tractor 🤲🏼🌟. Amazing job on your driveway walls. No wonder uncle Nick is so fond of and much enjoys working with you: Iwan has long been a mix master👷🏻‍♂️ and his best apprentice, and Carissa moves boulders and is his other best apprentice💪🏻👩🏻‍🌾!

[@stknmggs1788]

Love Molly, Luke and Sarah!!!!

[@marybates-pu3bq]

Hi Carissa and Iwan. Another lovely video. Now that was a lot of hard work. Rewarding though as you can see what you have done. Lovely seeing a fair bit of little Frankie and of course Diogo. Poor Jual still looked unimpressed, but at least he was outside. Albi is a little mischief maker. It has been hot here too this week. Last rained Sunday and next rain is Sunday. it is unseasonably warm at mo esp as we don't really hit summer till the solstice next week. My garden thermometer has been around about 28-29 degrees c, although 1 day did get to 30. My 3 furry bums have had the sense to stay out of it... an unusual thing. Anyway lovelies time i went to sleep. It is 4.39am and now the light has appeared. see you next week x

[@FrankieOffGrid]

Thanks Mary, I’m glad you enjoyed it ☺️ summer has arrived for you too then, it’s been very hot the last couple of days, mostly the furries stay in the shade but occasionally I find them sunbathing and think they must be crazy 😆 João has his cone off today and it’s very happy about it 💛 hope you get some more rain, I don’t think we’ll get any until September now unless we’re lucky and get a summer storm c

[@kathymashburn1974]

It was so good to see Luke and Sarah with you guys! I'm sure the goats will appreciate the hay! And your Uncle Nic is so helpful! The retaining walls are looking great!

[@amcab1625]

Great progress on the homestead! Great community you have around you.

[@arjanvogel6444]

Thanks for your vid 😇💟💟💟 Love and bless you guys in divine light, nice to see Luke and Sarah with you, Nick is a trooper he just keep on going in the hot sun 😎 but I think he is going to use you guys for building his garage ,for what hoard what so you help him to what a great friends you have .

[@ruthnoronha8206]

Like and Sarah are one of my fav channels to watch. My Saturday with coffee pleasures. Her loving tender approach to all living things big and small. Sweet people.

[@jayneward6649]

Awe, well done Nik on the wall for Frankie off grid 🎉❤ good you give all your cut down over grown grass to your friends for their goats & the wood chipping will certainly help keep moisture round your plants, all in a good days work 👏👏🌿🌿🌷🌷🌞🌞

[@cathythompson8734]

Excellent team work!

[@herbertgonswa3503]

Hi guys, this is a slow work , a lot of try and look, but it`s looking amazing. Nick is the stone witcher. Greatings from Hamburg

[@sheilajoseph9953]

Good wall building, it was funny seeing Albi and Diogo, walking over the cement on wall, no doubt leaving a paw print. ❤

[@HeidiPriest]

Carrisa what is the first music track you used, gave my goosebump, so nice to see luke and sarah visiting for hay, and bonus Nick to, having watched Iwan helping him on the other channel❤, great for you to have family staying❤

[@meglange3595]

So very nice to see all of you, friends/neighbors, sharing and helping one another. And family too. Makes the work so much more enjoyable and leaves lovely, lasting memories of good times. The little animals in wheel barrows are just icing on the cake 🤗. Have a wonderful week!! 🥰🌿♥️🌿🥰

[@charlenequinilty7252]

Good to see Luke and Sarah and Nick. So good y’all are friends and can help each other.

[@peterwhite9261]

Carries, and Iwan, you are so lucky to have Uncle Nick to help teach you this skill. I felt for you all working in that hot sun. It really looks good so far.❤

[@juanitakauffman6336]

Love to see neighbors and family helping out. I know you both help others too.

[@rhondadorey1723]

Nick is such an artisan with everything he does. What beautiful driveway walls you guys are building. With the gates it will be an impressive entrance! Great work.😊

[@taylorgontkovic4543]

So glad to see yall beginning able to get the drive done..Making alot of progress in such a short time yall moved onto the property..So many projects getting checked off..So Glad Uncle Nick is there and showing/ helping out.. It's going be so grand when you can drive 🚙 to your home..🏚...🥕🥔🍅🌽, 🐈🐕🐓😁♥️🥀

[@afrlala3593]

Great job. Happy to see this improvement.

[@joycecollins1515]

Is Nick your real uncle? Do your parents get to visit often? I saw Luck and Sarah visited. Is Cindy close to you also? Loved this video. Shows how you’ll are like a family working together and helping each other out. What the world needs more of. Stay healthy and safe you two.

[@Diego_Leon]

good video, I love how all of you who are in similar projects in Portugal help each other and that's nice, I hope you have a good summer down there, a hug... take care of yourselves

[@celiapereira5223]

Lovely video guys 👍💯 loved seeing Luke and Sarah and of course super Uncle Nick all having a good time 🤗

[@AleeshaSattva]

I love the pace of your videos. Beautifully put together!

[@FrankieOffGrid]

Thank you lovely ☺️

[@Winterbiker333]

Nick helps everyone! Top man! 👍💪

[@FrankieOffGrid]

He’s a good lad!

[@tinanieborg787]

Hey Guys, thanks for another nice video, i love to see how you guys help eighother, like it should be everywhere, we are all family. greetings from the Netherlands

[@eileenstec7862]

Love how you all help each other.

[@susannah1948]

Awwww nice to see Luke and Sarah with you…….

[@gardentours]

You're getting ahead. Nice to have friends who come and help 👍💕

[@kathleenpitt1981]

I just rewatched and noticed the strainer you were using for the sand. Good improv! I like Nick and Ewan wearing similar hats.

[@ruthconstantino6861]

I also loved seeing Luke, Sarah, and Molly collect hay with you. Haha, it looked like Albi was going to stow away to meet Luke & Sarah's other animals. Great to have your Dad & Lynn helping out with you, too, absolute troopers.

[@lorawiseman8847]

I'm glad you've had family to visit in the last two videos. Your driveway is coming along. It's great you have help from Nick. I saw Iwan on Nick's channel yesterday. So good the help goes back and forth.

[@sandycummings7972]

You two are hard workers hats off to you.wishing you all the best xxx

[@livinginthealgarveportugal3357]

Lovely job we have ours yet to do….so gruellingly in the heat of the summer 🌞🇵🇹

[@Neilhuny]

That's a fine wall! Can I just mention to others that "Uncle" Nick is a fond honorific for a lovely friend - he's not really their uncle The animals are great - they get SO involved with you all, which I guess might be a pain at times, as well as a pleasure. I was impressed with Carissa's hard work, particularly moving that large cuboid granite block. Then Nick came in and showed how to do it with less effort (roll it on the short sides was, I think, the tip?) Anyway, he made it look very easy and I'm certain it wasn't!.

[@projectportugal]

Well said Neil and Thankyou 😉

[@WildWoodlandsSW]

Nice to see your projects,and everybody pulling together.

[@notme35]

Just because we hardly ever can...... We have been around 30 every day for the last week in the uk. Great vid xx

[@stewartrogers494]

in harvesting grass ........ have you considered raking it onto a tarp bye hug pills and dragging it to were on the land you need ........not very labour intensive slides easily ........... also maybe hepped onto a two latter structure as a hay mound great for storage and drying as not to heat...........S

[@mesutozsen903]

Eline emeğine sağlık bu güzel video için kolay gelsin hayırlı işler....👍👍👍👍

[@richardteychenne3950]

That is going to look gorgeous, what an achievement by you both, with a little 💪💪💪, from a good friend. Well done Nick.

[@ilonakatalindako-tolman5545]

It is really flowing well, it will give a new entrance filling to your area🎉when its all done😊

[@carmenmariacortesmarin2664]

A lot got accomplished, and it sure was hard work! I'm very happy for you guys. I saw Iwan helping Nick. Some sweating seems to be spreading around with Nick and Iwan.

[@KovietUnionDefector]

Get a UV torch to search for scorpions in your housing areas...a great tool and ideal for your situation ;)

[@leannedwardsdesignandpaint7591]

Good to see progress on front drive way and I am so jealous of what you have and where you live but I can dream costs nothing to dream

[@nataliadealmeida79]

Têm muita sorte com o Nick ele faz para os outros como se fosse para ele

[@TheGoodlifeoffgrid]

I remember when you started this great job I’ve got to do when I get back to my land start making my entrance at the moment I’m sharing an entrance with my neighbour which I don’t really like doing. Take care great job😊

[@Isas_Journey]

Hello Carissa and Iwan, great video and loved the work of the wall, must have been quite challenging working with all different sizes of stones. I'm stunned to see other people leaving the UK, we just did the same and you guys are such an inspiration! 😍

[@Thomas-pq2qz]

Confined to my bed at the moment.Pretty crook.Your activities are a lift to the day for me.Thank you so much.

[@amelitadechavezlaceste5095]

good evening couple❤❤❤

[@ginashiel105]

Great to see progress!

[@JudySnyder-dv5ld]

I'm sure you know, but you can dip the male squash blossoms in batter and fry them. Some people put a little cheese in them before they batter and fry them.

[@ChristineKelly1000]

Carissa you are a MACHINE.😊

[@loweU0805]

Awesome build 😊

[@rosbeaton637]

It is great to see the community spirit and neighbourliness so well at work. It is a lifestyle that was being lost but that is being beautifully rekindled by so many brave and adventurous people in Portugal❤❤❤Well done! The wall is looking so good.

Nice video, excellent music choice, really enjoyed it. Thanks...

[@R1chiesART]

Have you thought about building a swale/ swales?. They run along contour lines starting at the highest point of your land and gradually decrease in distance as you come down hill. Just a thought to keep it green all year round...

[@patrickmatthews495]

2.22 I think that could be Ragwort, which on checking , you might consider then to remove and burn before it seeds even more ??

[@jimxcy]

Living the dream all the best from Derby UK.

[@anamagalhaes7571]

Olá gosto dos vossos videos e da música que escolhes. Também gosto de Jazz. 👏👏

[@joycecollins1515]

Really nice wall also.

[@kevinnye5132]

Did your parents realise they were holidaying in a Gulag Clarissa 😂, talk about sing for your supper , hard hot work 😉 but I guess they enjoyed it and good to see the entranceway coming a long nicely 👍🏻.

[@loweU0805]

I love what you guys are doing❤

[@Thomas-pq2qz]

I was alluding to an incident(second hand)in which my nurse,who was Portuguese and a wonderful nurse who always managed to do whatever without hurting.Some arteries are hard to reach. She was looking drawn and worried one day when I asked where she came from.When she said Portugal my heart went out to her as the papers were showing the Eucalyptus fires raging and she had family there. Hence perilous Portugal.

[@FrankieOffGrid]

The fires are a worry for sure, especially in some areas where there forests are more dense. Another wonderful thing about Portugal, as you have also experienced, is how lovely and gentle the people are.

[@fijitimeislandlifevlog]

Hi from Fiji 🇫🇯 we almost bought in the Azores but instead made the insane move to Taveuni - intrigued to see how you progress, the very best of luck ❤

[@meggiefraser6697]

Absolutely love the jazz music....lots more please. You're doing an amazing job

[@lumendrops]

What a lovely way to live; you must both be "old souls" to have the wisdom to do so!

[@jimbond1430]

Great progress, looking beautiful!

[@MatveySerebrennikov]

Хорошая работа, ребята!!!😊

[@jimwalker76]

Luke and Sarah, ❤. So much progress on the walls. Diego jumps like a fox. 😂