Finally we (m60/f56, bavarian) found a nice piece of
land near Idanha-a-Nova, Portugal, waiting to sign the contract. We like to renovate the stone ruin but also build something new with eartbags to live in and create a
pond or two for
water retention. Is somebody around with experiences in earthbag buildings? Where can we get cheap/used bags and clay?
We are in Portugal since April 2016, living in a little rented house with garden. Summer is nice, always sunny, but also pretty hot. So I think cooling the house is very important and we
should think about this important fact while we plan and construct.
What are your experiences with
gardening? We are all new to this, just decided to left the rat race for a more responsible life with mother Earth.
Our small garden (100sqm) produced in 4 months ONE tomato and two lettuces. There are still some sorghum plants, trying to survive. The soil is very poor and hard as stone. We have a lot of water, tried to mulch and gave some organic fertilizer to the soil, but no chance. On the property soil looks better and we hope to get positive results there.
What are your experiences with the
local authorities? Is it ok just to build or better to ask them for permission? After the words of our local agent everything is very easy, but I don´t think it is. No
rose without thorns.
And finally we would be happy to get in touch with people in the surrounding to share our preferences for a
sustainable lifestyle, our love for nature and our pies.
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