Our First Full Year on the Quinta!
This week we’re officially celebrating our one-year “Landiversary” — our first full year on the Quinta! What a year it’s been. We were certainly thrown in at the deep end and got to experience the full force of Central Portugal’s extreme weather conditions, from the worst wildfire in Portugal’s history to Storm Claudia, which brought floods, landslides, and even tornadoes.
But we’ve also had the privilege of witnessing the beauty of our land as it changes and adapts to the seasons. From crisp, frosty mornings and pink winter skies, to vibrant green landscapes splashed with colour from wildflowers. We’ve watched different blossoms appear on the trees throughout the year and enjoyed the incredible abundance they’ve provided — over 20 varieties of fruits, nuts, and olives.
Although the long, dry summer created challenges for off-grid living, our spring-fed pool gave us blissful relief from the heat. And now, as we move back through autumn again (often called “second spring” in Portugal), the arid landscape left behind by summer is bursting with new life. At the same time, warm golden hues fill the trees as they prepare to shed their leaves for winter.
Looking Back on a Year of Progress
We were definitely over-optimistic in thinking we’d have a working glamping site by now. If you look back at previous posts, you’ll know there were many factors that slowed us down. But when we take a moment to reflect on everything we have accomplished across various projects, it’s clear we’ve still come a long way in just one year. So here’s a celebration of some of the progress so far (most of which Jeff has single-handedly created!):
Edith the Caravan
Our living area around Edith the caravan (which will eventually become guest accommodation) now has a decked space where our awning stands, giving us extra living space, plus an outdoor platform. Alongside this, we built a stoned sunset seating area and a cosy winter firepit made from reclaimed stones Jeff collected from a job he worked on.
A Working, Productive Veggie Garden
By spring this year, our veggie and herb garden really began to take shape — and it has been providing us with food ever since!
The Cabin
Our bathroom, utility room, and washing-up area for future glamping guests are all in place. This project is still a work in progress and needs cladding and a few finishing touches, but it’s fully functional. In October, we enjoyed our first hot baths and showers in nearly a year — absolute bliss!
Chicken Coop & Duck House
Using off-cuts from the cabin build, Jeff has built both a chicken coop and a duck house, so we’ll soon be welcoming some feathered friends to the Quinta.
A Year of Learning and Living
Looking back, although progress has sometimes felt slow, we’ve achieved so much in a year. All of the above has moved forward alongside the never-ending (but incredibly enjoyable) tasks that come with homestead life: land clearing, pruning, tending the veggie garden, harvesting fruit and veg, and generally navigating the rhythm of off-grid living.
We plan to start work on the first ruin early next year, beginning with the roof. Then, as the weather warms in spring, we’ll finally be able to set up our glamping site.
As always, we’ll keep you updated on our progress as it unfolds.
Our first year on this land has been one of the best — and also one of the hardest — of our lives. But it has taught us so much about resilience, perseverance, and the power of surrender.
