WE MESSED UP (again) OFF GRID LIVING 

Noticed that you got a visit from Nick at Project Portugal, he will be very helpful in the future with his wealth of knowledge and experience. Hoping that the land dries out a bit so you don't get stuck every time the vehicle is moved.

Greetings from Vancouver island on the west coast of Canada 🇨🇦 , As a retired 76 year old, I enjoy living vicariously through your channel. Congratulations on all that you have accomplished so far I look forward to seeing the expansion of your land.

I wish you could get a local company to lay some sort of gravel for a drive for you,in return for some free advertising! Love you and your journey.

When pruning the olive trees you have to get the height down so it's easier to harvest and open/prune the middle out of the tree so it looks like a crown this enables the sun to get into the middle of the tree to ripen the olives also makes it easier to harvest, if you hard prune now and get a neighbour to go round the base of the trees with his tractor when you see them doing there's this helps the tree so much in 2 years you will have a really good crop of olives even after 1 year you should see a big improvement 👍👍🤞🤞

Wish I was your neighbor I'd love to come by and help. I've been developing a property for 33 years. I've learned so much the hard way. It would be so nice to pass on some of the lessons to such a worthy couple. Keep going your making wonderful memories as you learn

I am truly awed by your resourcefulness, not to mention your cheerful demeanour even when you 'mess up' . You are a delight to watch and I find myself cheering you on every step of the way.

You two are always such a breath of fresh air.

Laura and Dan, God Bless Ya! "Viking Dan" was epic! The trials and tribulations will make you stronger in the end. You both handled it with such grace. :-) I pray it all goes swimmingly well!

The rain has been a blessing in disguise for me too. If I had worked on my ruin in the summer everything would have been ruined. I now have new drainage to cope with the rain in the future.

You can't always wait till your ready or sometimes you'll never be ready I'm sure you will be amazed at how fast you will be able to grow and remember when things seem overwhelming just look back at how for you've come not how far you plan to go!!! Good luck and God bless 🙏

nothing on can be more fulfilling than working on land literally....awesome stuff 💯

Have you seen the Indie project? They live off grid and made a beautiful home with their barn

One of Bill Mollisons principles was to do nothing for the first year in terms of permanent infrastructure. You watch the land and have a notebook. Where floods, where collects leaves etc anything you can write down and start building up a picture..Have a plan over 3-5 years of things you then want to build towards and enjoy the process. Reach out to Richard Perkins perhaps? Great guy! And if you google Bill Mollison permaculture lectures, someone was good enough to record and upload them from the early 90s. 16 hours of lectures on everything for design of the land, buildings, trees, animals etc. Its a gold mine of info.

Just remember if your plastering walls you need to use a lime render to let the walls breath otherwise your wall will get damp as they cannot breath .

I love watching you guys developing skills and approaches to solving problems Great stuff keep it up

Love it! You're doing so well. Also the bell tent looks so cosy with the crackling fire :)

Hey Dan and Laura I'm so at peace with you both, so just take your time and be safe and enjoy each other company, build a good memory, enjoying your videos man. 🇯🇲🇯🇲

No entiendo su idioma pero me gusta verlos como trabajan en su granja su huerto proyectas amor por la naturaleza. Saludos desde México

You two are an inspiration and no doubt, you will succeed.

Your both amazing! Stay positive and enjoy your life!!!

Oh, man, I feel for you guys! I also admire you. Tough things some times, but things will get easier with time, and you will gain a lot of great experience. Good for you!

Living on top of each other is overrated, also a large veranda all round the property,barn will give you shade and really valuable outside living space

Considering how much rain you've had, you're doing really well getting on with your projects, despite all the set backs! I look forward to your videos because I know I'll have a good laugh. Thank you ☺️❤️

Here in Australia we have what they call maxtrax to get 4×4 out of Boggs and i suggest you get some better off road tyres

Hi I live in the US Buffalo NY I love you guys your hard workers and Dan is very handy Never give up 0n your dreams keep going you will have great memories. I'm hooked love when a video pops up. Blessings

Invest in a winch , it will come in handy for many other things as well as getting the truck unstuck

Adorable as always. I thought at first you two were ridiculous but in very sweet way. Now I see you as more relatable than all the hyped up tubers. Your gentle and thoughtful vibe is a balm in this hectic world. It’s especially amusing when you do the sales pitch for some clever device. Good on ya for getting the sponsors. Now try for some truck tire promo!

I just love your approach to life, see how it goes and sort it out as it happens. I have spent a good few years over my life trying to plan and arrange for future projects and ideas and most of the time it had to change so now i'm more like you and see what crops up, I just wish I learnt it at your age and not mine.

Another day on the farmstead, a charm'n video. Good luck with your residency efforts and future projects!

it is very difficult to fight against wet places in the pasture you need paddock grid plates but these are very expensive what you can do is put your car on the highest point on your land or between the trees find the dry spots and mark it and the wet places too Pollard willows are trees that you usually see along the streams. Farmers use them because they drink a lot of water and the land stays drier the wood is also perfect for keeping the house warm

Another fabulous video L&D. I really look forward to seeing them every Wednesday. I really love your wood burning stove too.

Thanks! It's so nice to see your beautiful Bell tent at night. I still would love to hear Laura's music!

Loved hearing your story of how you got to Portugal and your plans going forward. We live on a farm surrounded by animals and pets. Looking forward to all of it. Take care and stay warm!

just so you know, I love your content and I like watching your skillful building. Very impressive Dan. Your work ethic of "see how it turns out" shows you two are not afraid to try things. I also love that you repurpose things and are into bartering. Perhaps the neighbor who "feeds" you produce, could use your help with a project on his farm ? Your musical choices are very nice, and the way you compose your videos are an interesting mix of what you are doing on your homestead. all so nice! Thank you for sharing your journey, .Annmarie in Oregon

We are moving out in a few months. And you guys are so inspiring. I love watching these. We were going to get a german shepherd but decided against it so its nice to see there are a few strays out there that we can help x

Grew up on a boggy farm in Kentucky. My dad would put 4-500 lbs of 57 stone over the axel of the truck for extra traction. Worked well mostly but beware it's either extra traction or extra stuck

Enjoying your journey and the story about the shopping delivery, keep pushing on

You canntry airing down thebtires for more traction when things get that muddy. And when you can afford it, you might want to swap the tires for a more off-road version so you can run them a slightly lower pressures to help move around the land more

The tent setup looks very cozy❤❤

Your tent looks so cosy and inviting

That was great you two you need to install perforated drain pipe in the lower section of the property to rid excess water use a way to capture it to use at a dry time I noticed you have a lot of fires in the area during summer so keep grasses down a tractor would be a big help used one that runs and take those tires off of 4 wheel and put on off road tires you have car tires on it find a good used set on line better then the ones you have on now keep the faith you two are beautiful and blessed find how to build on line and practice do most your self to save money and don't prun your trees back to far mainly skirt them up can't wait for next video

Should put straw bales in line with the trench to filter out the dirt from going into your beautiful clean water. Saw that on other sites and makes a lot of sense, and stops soil erosion.

Wow, move into the tent, it has beautiful ambience & looks so cozy but spacious.

I remember my grandparent tell me this lots of rain in the winter lots of crops/harvests in the summer. Use to live in Lamego north of Portugal, now i'm living in Lisbon. This last winter was one that have by far most rain in last 10 years.

Keep going. You two are great!

Hello, I'm Portuguese, I'm glad you chose my country for your adventure. The olive trees can only be pruned in November and December, when the olives are harvested, because you can kill the trees. Best regards😉

I was excited for a new video! Gosh, I’m sorry you got stuck again! Too bad you couldn’t build a gravel driveway. That may be essential at some stage. And that dog is so cute! Might be nice to have a pet around to keep you guys company😊 Take care!

I'M HAPPY WITH YOUR HAPPINESS. TRY TO PLACE STONES THE SAME AS THE THINGS PLACED, THE WHEELS DRIVE.

From Ohio United States. You’re doing it right. Put your money and energy into the land. The roof over your head is just that. That roof can’t feed you it can only keep you dry. I’m 67

Love you guys...Keep going..one step at a time.All will fall into place with time

The cottage will be plenty big enough for the both of you. Assuming you'll be spending most of your time outside anyway!! Compared to the van it will be huge 😀

Those lunges really help those jeans fit well! It's hard to drain a wet soggy ground like the lower section of the land. French drains MAY help but are a LOT of work to get in.

You both are so positive. I’m sure you will work everything out. 😊

I REMEMBER WHEN I WAS YOUR AGES, I WISH I HAD A MINDSET TO GO OFFGRID. WOULD HAVE SAVED ME SO MUCH GRIEF. HOMES IN THE CITY ARE A DRAG! YES THAT BARN WILL BE PLENTY OF SPACE. IT MAY PERHAPS BE JUST HIGH ENOUGH FOR A LOFT TO SLEEP. THE HEAT RISES AND THAT KEEPS UPSTAIRS WARMER FOR SLEEPING IN WINTER. 4 POSTS AND A BEAM , AND RAFTERS N FLOORING IS EASY. UNCLE NICK CAN HELP WITH THOSE PLANS, AND FLOOR IDEAS..WERE ALL ON A BUDGET. THE OLIVE BRANCHES WAS A GREAT IDEA FOR GETTIN UNSTUCK. ROAD BASE GRAVEL IS THE BEST BUT IM SURE ITS NOT CHEAP... ITS ALL A LEARNING CURVE. BE BLESSED, ENJOY EACH DAY OF YOUR 20S, THEY GO TOO FAST.

Weather is getting nice I see, almonds in bloom yet? You bought the right vehicle there, I have got a ranger as well... regards Rickard from Sweden 🚐🎸🇸🇪🛻

Sua fazenda está ficando espetacular 👍👍👍🇧🇷

See you having fun with your truck, first time I ve seen a 4x4 stuck. A long plank under each side works wonders. O, the tool is called a Devon shovel.. I don t know how far back am watching as finished last of my crop sowing so thought I de check some of your other videos out. When it rains it rains and when it doesn t, that s when you wish you had a bigger holding tank . I had mine dug a bit bigger from 100 gall to 35,000 so now I feel happier. Don t try sowing anything in summer like England, as you ll loose it as to dry and too hot. You need all in now the you can sow again in Sep. Have fun and enjoy the warth now as no more rain untill March.

Theo of the Indie Project did an excellent job of showing their barn conversion from digging up the floor to pointing the stones. Took about a year. They might be your neighbors?

All the best hope you are well and safe dream will come true

If your truck gets stuck keep a couple of wood pallets with you to use for traction and to jam under the wheels.

Dan and Laura, when your van gets stuck in the mud again, maybe cut down some branches and foliage to put under the tyres for traction, also select 2nd gear for better grip when going forward. Best wishes Dave.

Hey homesteaders, it might be worth investing in a set of traction boards (Maxtrax are a good brand) They come in different sizes and vary in price and quality. Could come in handy.

As for your previous videos... Any isolation should be applied outside the walls, if you dont - it may cause black (no eatable) mushrooms inside. And the better way is to use mineral isolation. It can be covered with plastering or siding

It would be great if, at some point, you put normal tiles on your roof and included quite a few transparent ones, for light inside. There is an advantage in not having windows, it's better for security, when you travel and leave the farm by itself.

you two have a lovely accent. learning has to start somewhere, just keep grinding and don't forget to enjoy. no shame in being clumsy, hard work will fix that

You two are a blast to follow! Love your videos that you put out. The trench you dug out worked! Can't wait to see you next week! Take care! Your Michigan subscriber ❤

Some of your stuck truck problem is simply down to having road tyres. Glad to see that you know that more right foot is exactly NOT how to get unstuck!

You are both amazing I hope you get your animals soon.❤️❤️

I live in Pennsylvania, U.S. I enjoy watching your videos. I wish you both success in building your life and home together.

I'm waiting for the next video. Take care of your health in the rainy season weather

25 years ago we bought an old barn in France still fixing it up now some of the things you are doing remind me of want you did me and the misses good luck to you both ..geordies on the move

If you are feeling cold, try investing 12 volt Diesel heater, they are fantastic and very cheap to run.

Love your work all the way from Sweden

Much respect from Maui!

Different tires might help bud....good luck with the mud. Love watching you guys! Good to see young people with some guts!

Your tracks need serious roadbase rock put in and compacted, taking vehicles into the mud is crazy. You will continue to get stuck until you fix the access issues. Goodluck!

Thank you for sharing!

Look up over-landing. They make a plastic board to go underneath your tires when you get stuck

Try super glue & cotton wool. It bonds plastic together pretty good. Plenty of glue on top of the cotton wool

You guys should look into building with straw bales and mud, you have plenty of good mud there, it's great material for house

Thanks! This should be helpful to people wanting to go offgrid 👍

stummbled across your chanel by accident, love it been watching it 2 days now, good luck

Enjoyed this video of your journey.

Great video again guys. OMG the music to the bogging disaster was soooooo funny. An expandable digeridoo? Come on now... get yourself a bog standard one and try again! 🤣 *pun intended*

cant wait till next week😭😭😭😭 i literally open youtube to see if u guys upload🤣 btw ur music choices rock

Hello, I think you guys are awesome, love your way of live and your vibe. Found you totally by change here on RU-vid. You're doing what I'd love to do. Good luck on your journey, I'm sure you'll do great. Going to keep following you! :) BTW, even though I don't live in Portugal, I am Portuguese :D

a small advice might help, when the truck sucks again like this put bigger stones under the wheels, the one i used were very small

ohhh...ps.... waterproofing tarp or cloth is easy n cheap. im canadian and in canada we used silicon.seal...like from construction stuff for sinks ect...diluted with tinner...dont need much.... fill bucket 1/4 ...with mix.... dunk n soak (spay) the cloth completely ...let it soak for full coverage....pull out...hang on clothing line outside for 24 hrs ...untill all thinner evaporates... tadaaaa done. ... it will waterproof any cloth ... even linnen old bedsheets can become waterproof.tarps! ...jackets...pants ect.... does not smell or feel! plastic...stays soft n flexible...doesnt flake after while like with jacket / shoe spaycans you can buy...works reallly well, budget friendly and especially for large cloth..like tents /tarps 4 shelter..rain workclothing. ..maybe repeat 1 time a year to garantee....works for canadian winters ...snow rain frost....thinner is cheap , silicon also.... check youtube... waterproofing tarp...

In your rain barrles... buy or build a cheep means to keep the water moving. A solar paddle wheel,. Get a water filter that pumps, the tanks water above the take, say a 30 gallon catch, then gravely, force the water thru a water filter, keep it clean...and always check water quality every 4 day...just like a swimming pool..I would tap the water by pumping it thru electricity charged plates that zap and kills every germ or virus. The pre water filter into the tanks, should be alot better.. have fun...Amazon has home Vince making kits... you get 30 to 40 or 50 gallon MEGA heavey plastic bladders, you mix it up . They it do it thing. Then filter the wine. Oh wine bottles are cheep.. u could start putting up small batch wines. And sell them. Paint the wine bottle...

Does your barn have the habitation license? I really enjoyed your Q&A. You are both really cool people. 😀

Muy bonita la tienda de acampar 👏👏👏

Hope you are saving all the olive leaves for tea - an amazing alkaline tea

😁 cool! thanks. the waterdrop was a nice bonus for me. i was gonna need for something like that but hadnt tackeled that topic yet in my play... so yeah.. cool... checked the tech.specs n price . perfect. double cool. sorted! 😁

You need aggressive mud tires and a lift kit(optional) if you want to use that pick up as farm work truck. Right now it has road biased tires and not off road tires.

As a Master Plumber, have the water tested for bacteria. Believe me, if it has a high bacteria count, you may have a minor illness, or it may be fatal. Take care. 🍁

you get what you pay for. Living out in the middle of nowhere in central Portugal is isolating, boring and a grind. Everyone watching this and thinking "I want to do that too" should make a trip driving through the area in both the extreme heat of summer and the endless gray rainy days of winter with zero to do unless you drive for several hours to see any type of culture. Add to that the prices have skyrocketed on all properties. How many shows like this are there? It's over crowded

I have told you to buy a 4x4 Tractor quickly to pul you out of these towing situations. Look for a good used 4z4 Tractor and make sure you get a set of Heavy duty Chanins for all wheels..

Great video. Thank you.

love the videos, i'm from Portugal and what you guys are doing is great

All the best for your future 👍