ESCAPE TO PORTUGAL: Our Life Building a Self Sustainable Homestead
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- čas přidán 23. 07. 2024
- Hard work every day on the homestead, caring for animals is a daily task that cannot be ignored! Making the most of the 'cooler' day Bee cleans out the chicken and goat enclosures, ensuring they have enough water to get them through the hottest part of the day. Using natural cleaners like vinegar is a great way to reduce the use of harsh chemicals and also ensure the health of the animals is kept high. It's also time to start on the vegetable garden which has been on our to-do list for many months. We've got tonnes of soil to move from the flash-flood wash off last year which we can use in the raised beds along with twigs, branches, leaves and other organic matter as we use the hugelkultur method again.
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00:00 Introduction
00:20 Headed to the animals
01:06 Update after dog attack
02:00 Predator proof enclosure
02:40 CCTV
03:19 Feeding the animals
04:17 Broody hen
05:12 Cleaning out the horsebox
10:00 Cleaning out the chicken coop
11:10 Using natural cleaning methods
14:11 Nesting rooster
14:47 Keeping chickens cool in summer
16:24 Horsebox is finished
17:47 Hooking up the tractor
20:08 Moving tonnes of soil
28:29 We're building a self-sustainable garden
30:28 Unloading tonnes of soil
32:50 Making space for raised beds
34:23 Moving a raised bed
35:20 Why we won't get a dog
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Theo and Bee gave up their busy city lifestyles in 2014 to explore alternative living, and have lived in vans and boats since then without looking back! Along with their cat Ginjey Bear they have been driving around the world in their self converted Sprinter van. However, when the global pandemic hit they began converting their abandoned stone barn in Central Portugal to turn into a wonderful tiny stone cottage. Along the way, they have rescued a playful cat called Furrnando and have a wonderful flock of Chickens!
#homestead #selfsustainable
Bea is thriving there at Miracle Mountain , not just surviving like at the other homestead. I see more smiles and happiness for her here!
I agree. She has a beautiful smile. She makes me smile when I see her smile. ❤
That is so true !! Her smile is always contagious and makes me happy when watch these videos, I never miss them!
Is that going to be too much shade over your garden?
Get some fencing, make a big circle, and use that as a compost bin. Compost that straw and poo first.
Some CZcams channels are long at 20 minutes. Yours are short at 37 minutes. I could watch you guys, your animals and farm for hours.
A cheap and simple dust mask is worth it's weight in gold when cleaning out the chicken coop or the goat trailer. Might even save your life.👍
Hi Bee! You need to wear a mask when cleaning out the animal enclosures, especially the chickens. The dust from animal poo can cause a lot of lung problems. Also, you can absolutely use the old straw bedding for your plant beds! It will break down into compost as the plants are growing. The straw will also help hold in some moisture. ❤❤😊
Good morning, Bee and Theo. I loved to hear Bee talking to the chickens and goats as she cleaned their sleeping quarters… she is so loving and kind. You both did an awesome job of getting the raised beds in place. I enjoyed watching you work on your land❤️❤️
I love it when Theo refers to them as "the goaties" 😊
Gotta love a man who loves animals.
Oh, my heart! The joy in Bea’s demeanor over the gardens is palpable, & Theo’s reflected happiness is blissful. You two are an amazing team, with big hugs coming from Maine, USA. 😊
That raised bed around the tree is lovely, but you might want to pull it well away from the trunk. Smothering the tree roots under all that additional soil might end up killing the tree. Just a suggestion :)
I enjoyed the animal husbandry part the best. I used to work at a riding stable and I always found mucking stalls to be a very calming task. A donkey is a great idea to help protect the goats.
Or llama?
Bee, I love the care and attention you give to your critters, it warms my heart!!
A donkey should protect your goats and chickens. They have one across the road from us that lives with their sheep. No problems from wild critters we have around here, cougars, bear and dogs. Love watching you guys and your projects. Could watch all day.
FYI: an 8inch drywall mud knife will work great as a chicken poop scraper! Also if you just lay another board on top of the existing one they are using to poop on, you can pull it out and clean it and let it dry in the sun for a few minutes..
Love Bea' s new veggie garden creation! Good luck with it and with growing more of your own produce, just as you did on your previous property! Can quite understand Theo's aversion to barking dogs - great idea to get a gorgeous donkey guard for the goats! Xx
Bea, voice of experience here, reporting that you shouldn't pile mulch around mature trees (over 3 yrs old) because it suffocates them. they need to breathe through their bark and leaves.
You are not a nerd! You are a strong farm woman!!!❤❤❤ he’s a lucky guy to have such a wonderful beautiful partner like you !!!❤❤❤
Hi Bee and Theo, As a couple living in the U.K. Alison and myself absolutely love your videos and you have inspired us to do more. As a disabled couple we find ways of managing in everyday life and because of people like yourself feel inspired to set up our own channel called Loving life with our disabilities. Keep doing what you do so well. We love your channel. All the best Mike and Alison.
Your goats are in a fortress! Glad to hear the healing is going perfectly, y'all are great animal caretakers ❤
I'm afraid that if you leave the U-shaped garden bed around the tree, the tree will die. Trees are fairly shallow rooted, and smothering those roots closest to the trunk will snuff it out within a couple of years. In my Master Gardener classes, we were warned not to put anything more than a few inches (3-6 cm) of mulch anywhere under a tree within the drip line. We were shown how people attempted to "save" mature trees in a new home construction area. But spread the dirt excavated for the house around the trees, burying those roots by several inches. The trees die because they don't get the surface water or oxygen. Sorry for the long post, but hope you understand.
Agree. Also, the idea of the U-shape raised bed is so you have easy access all around.
In my Master Gardener program, we were told to think donuts around the tree trunks when using mulch or dirt. As leaving them up against tree can soften cambium and allow invasive critters into tree. Loved the Master Gardener program
Isn't it brilliant that a tragedy such as the floods you suffered post wildfire produced dirt that you now can use in your raised beds to become rich soil?? Talk about silver linings, eh?
Great job, Bee, cleaning out the goat & chicken areas. And of course filming, editing, and keeping us entertained w/your laughter & joy.
Theo, I'm so happy for you & Bee too that you've figured out a way to protect the goatees and your sanity by getting a donkey.
All my love to the most inspirational, hardworking team on YT.
Can't get enough of your humor, authenticity, & education. Seriously, I learn something new every episode.
✊🏼🫶🏼✌🏼
~Marirose NH USA
Yes I could hear the tractor, glad the goats are well protected
Theo did you know donkey's are really loud, our neighbour has one and every time he comes home the donkeys lets rip the noise it's so funny he thinks he is a guard dog. so happy the goat is on the mend, keep up the good work xxx
A big thank you to both of you for this video! You spread so much joy in what you do and you work so well together :-) I was really happy about today's video, you give so much love to animals and nature. Bea, you were a real joy spreader today, thank you for that ❤❤❤
This vídeo won me over in the first 30 seconds , with the image off affection towards the cat . ♥️🇵🇹
He is so cute on his tractor! And Beas pure joy at farm life in general is contagious! 🙌🏼❤️💚💙💜
Bee your video's are splend. You both are living your dream and it is amazing to watch you grow into your rolls. You are wonderful guardians of both the land and the animals. Each week Bee you are beaming more from your soul. You can feel your vibration just by watching. Thank you both. Theo, I'm glad your back is feeling better and you able to get around more. As always, your fan in Ontario Canada
Bea, you're a gentle, kindred soul and everybody loves you! Please wear a mask mucking out your animal enclosures, especially the chickens! Use their poo in your garden beds too!
Bea, you are simply GLOWING WITH HAPPINESS!!!! Makes me so very happy to see you so very happy. !!!!😁😁😁😁😁💕💕💕💕💕💕💕🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Raised Bed can't wait for Bee to be planting them 🍓🌹🌹🌹💐
Love Sue ❤❤❤🇬🇧❤❤❤
I agree with the comment about the U shaped bed; it will eventually kill the tree that you’ve placed it around. I’ve been gardening with raised beds for over 40 years…the point of the u shape is to give you maximum growing surface in a small space, and the inside of the u gives you easier/shorter distance to access for planting and weeding. Cheers, and happy gardening 👩🌾.
Bee, you are looking so well - love your short hair - can’t even remember what it looked like before. Lots of hard work caring for the animals! Great adding that extra fencing to protect the goats!🇨🇦
As a homesteader we found to keep most of our own dirt as we were surprised how much we needed a wheelbarrow full or a shovel scoop or two so we made a stock yard to save dirt, lumber stuffs, rock, sand, and tree parts for future use harvested from the land - incredibly useful to save and use your own resources
Bee you can stack the straw with manure give it a good soaking then turn it ver after a few days and water again it will start steaming as it breaks down into compost
I'd build at least 4 compost bins ( size of old pallets) and compost everything. Use all the old bedding as a starter then greens and browns to follow. Filling one of these bins will raise the centre of the compost to 130 -140 degrees. This will speed up the process of composting which will kill all pathogens, seeds and weeds. Doing a wonderful job and the animal husbandry is exquisite!.
I got a bit anxious watching Bee work with used animal straw without a mask. I know many bacteria help our immune systems, but not all! Same goes with the dry, dusty soil. Your adoring fans want you to stay healthy!!! Love from Massachusetts
Brilliant job, Bea you are a such hard worker, you two make a fantastic team. It's so nice to hear about the possibility of having a donkey. They are wonderful animals, very sweet and devoted.❤❤
My son is autistic too and same as you Theo dogs barking really distress him. Much love x
Bee your beautiful sweet smile is contagious. You are a delight
Bee you are a fabulous farmer. Blessings from Canada 🇨🇦
OMG Bee, you're looking absolutely wonderful...living on Miracle Mountain suits you so well. I'm so happy for you both, you're living the dream x
I love the way you talk to the goats it s like they know what your saying lol
Yes Yay for a donkey. I adore donkeys as well and they will bond with a human like a dog. They are a stellar guard animal. And i love the bray.
It's lovely to see your animals happy. I think getting a donkey is a great idea. We had a donkey when I was young. Her name was Nelly. Your vedge garden will be lovely when you complete it well done :)
Who needs a gym when you live on a farm? Wow, lots of work but look at how your improvements are helping the land recover!!!!! You two work SO hard and the results are fantastic. Great job on the new garden beds. We will be looking forward to watching that new development. I hope the shade from the trees helps protect fragile plants from the burning sun - I have to shade my tomatoes, potatoes, peppers and so on, so I imagine a bit of shade will do you a solid too. YES, the bedding in the bottom is brilliant recycling. Another wonderful video - thank you.
And Donkeys are affectionate and love a cuddle.... :-).
Hey hey guys doing today hope everything is fine I hope you guys drinking plenty of fluids and water and stuff alright we love you guys God bless you
Bee, I’ve been using Hugulcultur since 2009 and have created 3 massive areas for different purposes. The first one was initiated in the fall of 2009 and fully completed by the following summer. I no longer live there, but visit the garden and it’s still going strong 14 years later. I created 2 areas on my current property, one to create a healthy water filter (rather than having a lawn) and the other area, still in process a few years later, has an abundance of cedar from an old tree that was felled. It’s all doing beautifully. I’ve used straw in 2 of the areas and none in the cedar chip area. I actually love using straw (along with wood chips, mulch, autumn leaves, and other yummy matter). I think the soiled straw will be perfect. Just give it all plenty of time to cure and compost. I love allowing the curing to happen during our chilly, wet season. I’m in the Pacific NW of the US in Western WA where we get lots of rain for half the year. By February the mound is cooking and anything can pretty much grow there during the colder season. Good luck!
Just like a goat... all the outside area to poo and pee on ,but they poo and pee on the fresh bedding 😂😂😂😅😅😂. Loved this video. Brings back happy memories of growing up on a 1000 acre farm. Later owning a much smaller farm. I loved the time with all the animals. Now I'm a Great Grandma with 4 little rescue Chihuahuas and a couple of outdoor kitty's that decided this was home. Love , hugs and prayers from Kansas USA
Great to see Theo’s back is feeling better and that Bee is taking the reins again and can’t wait to meet your donkey!
I do believe e that straw with goat poo should be composted for at least a year before being mixed in a garden bed. I'm glad Mathilde is healing well.🙂👍👍🇨🇦
Yes you can use the straw in your garden beds, the goats are herbivores so their poop is not detrimental to humans. I'm sure you have a compost heap as well.
That’s good to know!
Love your new garden! And your sweet animals. Theo, it might be easier to load your trailer from the side. 🤗❤️🐝
I lovvvvvvvve the donkey idea, they are wonderful animals and have such strong personalities ❤ glad to see your raised bed garden starting up again Bee 🙂👍
Oh my goodness I love how you secured the goats. All your babies are living their best lives. Good job, both of you. Oh, I got so excited about your raised garden beds. How neat and very happy for you, Bee. The straw and goat and chicken droppings are perfect for your garden. Also some black cow manure is the best. I get happy when I see a new video out. You should make longer videos. I love it. Theo, you're a rock star looking at you. One would not know your autistic. Proud of you both. Until next video, God bless 🙌
Great Video!!! Looking forward to the planting. 😊😊😊💕💕💕🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
What was your favourite part of todays video? Let us know!
Yay, a donkey, just what I thought last week, or a llama, or better still, 2 donkeys! Love to see the garden starting up again.
Yup, the old bedding is great in a raised bed. We have sheep and alpaca bedding in ours (the bed is 24inches high) along with the other bits and bobs with soil and compost on top. Presto! Veggies love it.
BUT put the bedding on the bottom! It'll compost down there...
You can definitely use the bedding in the raised beds, its ideal
You’re both looking happy and strong. Life is good!😊✨💜💙✨
I love to see how much you care for your animals, as I am an animal lover myself. Thank You for sharing this awesome video.❤
That straw would be great in the mulch pile along with any leaves. Cleaning up after animals always gave me mental peace. Great to see you enjoying yourself!
Ahhh, Bea, I LOVE your coffee mug in the last clip!! Your garden is going to be fabulous - the hard work you both are doing for the raised beds will soon pay off! Can’t wait to watch the veggies growing! A donkey will be epic (though it’s noise will be loud, too). I look forward to Sunday mornings so I can catch up with whatever’s new on Miracle Mountain…and I’m never disappointed! 👋🏼 for now, from Diane in our hot and sunny northeast Georgia mountains, USA. ❤ y’all!!
Before you add a donkey ( and great idea too, there great alarms and very noisy creatures) You may want to build your permanent fencing, giving them all lots of space to move around. Secondly, Miracle Mountain is a live and thriving ( because of Bea and Theo ) It's like, this property was always waiting for them to come home. Bea, you bring your energy, and the property feeds you joy and love. It's all so perfect.💜💙💜
I am glad things are going so well! I don't know how, but Bea made mucking out the animal enclosures look almost fun. lol. I also loved the shots of Theo driving the tractor. The view from the trailer of Theo's back really made him look like a farmer with the hat. Loving the videos!
Hi guys how you both doing its great to see you bee how you feeling in yourself lately I suffer with depressions and anxiety myself its not nice just hope you both take care and would love to visit you guys when I'm hiking through Portugal few months time 😊
Big hugs to you! Every day is a new day with its struggles, it’s a constant battle ❤️
Dear Bee, you don't have to feel like a nerd being excited about watching the tractor shovel dirt because sometimes it's the simple things in life that bring us the most joy. Dear Theo, I have PTSD and I have Sensory Overload issues with certain sounds, also. So I totally understand your issue with dogs barking. Can't wait to see the joy it brings both of you to watch your garden produce much good food. If you want to use the goat poo and straw in your garden, you should add that a few weeks before you do our planting to give it a little time to break down. You could also wait and add it to your garden soil in the winter. That way it will give it plenty of time to break down.
Miracle Mountain is truly a miracle. Great job in putting it together. Will you be building a large barn for your animals ? Be Well ! Stay Healthy ! 🙏🙏 Harriet, Jim and Yuki Richmond, Va.
Hi Bea.
That hay bedding from the goats and chickens is great for tour raised veg beds. Very rich in nitrogen. My only advice would be is get Theo to send it through the chipper/mulching machine first. Just once. Not only will it become workable but it will compost a lot quicker.
Good luck.
Alan, South Africa.
"Barking dog" ... I empathized with you, Theo. I, too, am disturbed by it. God bless.
Totally understand the stress from barking dogs. Mules, burrows and pony’s can also act as guards for the goats….. take care!
Love watching you guys working on what will be a absolutely beautiful farm.
Bee, seeing you in the trailer reminded me of the Portuguese ladies on their way into town. We used to call them out for having a date day.
Please remember how kind u r , it definitely shows with how your animals react to you x bless u
I love watching the 🚜 at work.
I hope you’re all okay and well. It’s been a few weeks which is not like you guys! Miss you!! ❤❤❤❤
I have been watching you guys like 1 year ago but life happened and then I was not able to watch you guys but recently stumbled upon your video a week ago and have watched 1year of your video in 2days, and have been looking forward to new videos since then, love you guys ❤️
Keep up the good work 👍
❤❤❤😊
What an operation,such organization of chores and special time.What a Blossoming estate you made !
Blessings and good health
I think there is a type bacteria or/and fungus that can be inhaled when working around chicken poo dust that can make you sick , maybe a type respiratory infection that could be really bad , just fyi, but anyway I love your videos and I love the mountain and the difference you are making there is outstanding! I pray you both have a wonderful life and enjoy every day on this mountain. It is beautiful!
Theo is the G.O.A.T. What a great partner /team mate
Little confused about the garden under a tree in the shade. Donkeys really bond with their owners. You'll love that. Great companion animals too. ❤
Great progress. Watching the ‘Farm’ chores with Bea was fun. I love a girl/woman that has no problem getting dirty. Theo looks so happy when he’s on the machinery. I think that was his plan all the time, more land, more toys… I mean, more tools. I would visit someone with donkeys to make sure their braying isn’t a trigger for Theo. Love the way things are going and thanks so much for sharing.
Bea, you are stunning and beautiful and your energy is wonderful inside and out. Theo, you are wonderful as well and I'm so glad that both of you seemed happy and well. Be safe peace and love
63 yr old widow from NC USA here. I love you videos, you and Theo are so fun ! Envy your huge private property. What ever become of the little rental you fixed up? Still renting it out?
I love your New look Bea, you're rockin' that beautiful pixie cut! What you and Theo have accomplished together is AMAZING, stay encouraged you're inspiring Us all!❤😊
Use soiled straw and start a compost pile. A three sided structure so compost doesn’t scatter, no roof. Then just turn it an every few weeks. I have loved watching your journey. I am a sixty nine year old widow who spends ninety seven percent of my time alone. Your videos keep me company.
Hi Bee and Theo, hope you are both well and happy, of course you are, anyway Bee definitely use all the old bedding from the goats and chickens, its like gold, composting material that's already fertilised, what more could you want, you could also rake out the whole pen collect it and begin a compost heap not too far from the pen, no poop smell near the house. Theo looks like the typical farmer in that tractor, he's even got the hat. You mention a guard donkey, won't it need a friend donkey? Happy gardening Bee, see you next time, cheers!!🥰💕👌👍👍💪💪🐐🐔🐓🐾🐈🐈⬛🪰🌱🥚
2 of my favorite hard workers. Devi and David of Do and Be Different work very hard as well.
Loved that you took us along while tending to the animals Bea… and your sense of humor 😂 love it! I hope you lived up to the goats’ rigid standards of house cleaning!
Seriously - that U bed will likely smother the tree.
You should build a composter, layering the goat straw, wood chips, chicken coop poo, and soil. The resulting compost would be great to mix in the garden beds and thinly top-dress your orchards.
The chicken poo needs to be composted well, as full strength it can burn plants.
Bee you already have a cough, please use face mask when cleaning out the chicken & goat enclosures as I totally agree with other people on here & all that dust? Do you have asthma?💜 Loving the idea that the animals are closer & you have CCTV keeping them very safe!! The way you speak to the animals shows you are compassionate & kind plus you are a Vet Nurse I recall? It is SO wonderful to see you so happy on Miracle Mountain which is an incredible property, you both are so lucky to have it & each other!! Love from Australia 🇦🇺💜💙 #Teamwork
😷when mucking and cleaning any animal enclosure a mask is needed to protect your lungs.
Im sure you have been waiting a while for your Potager Kitchen Garden. Putting the raised beds closer to the driveway will help the trees as it wont be sitting so much on the the tree root area. You want the trees to stay healthy.
Some marigolds will help in case there there are little animals that like to dig and the flowers will add color🌼
The Grandbabies and I always enjoy the videos.
EVERY camera angle of that scoop and dump, haha. Love to watch life on the farm.
I am so jealous! I've wanted a Donkey for years. I can hardly wait to meet him/her.
❤❤❤❤ if I were a chicken 🐔 or a goat 🐐 I would love ❤️ to live with you guys xx you are so kind xxxx
Bea I’ve got to say what ever u r doing for ur self keep it up u look absolutely radiant keep it up girlfriend many blessings to u n Theo from North Texas ❤
I put cardboard under the perch , it can all go in the compost, but it’s a time saving trick 👍
Chicken waste is some of the Best fertilizer you can have!! Plenty hot! Use a little at a time until you get the best results! Enjoy !!!❤
Donkeys love having a best friend, so two donkeys would be great!
Bea you have done a wonderful job on this video. Watching you enjoying your animals and the new homestead property.
Definitely use it. they used to use the heat that was generated to make a hot bed to get salads going early...in UK! Just put a layer of really well rotted compost as top layer.
We sure love how you two work together that way for it’s so beautiful to see God bless you both throughout your life out there ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤