Off-grid living in Portugal: Moving on after the fires. Wendy Howard’s Quinta Do Vale [Benfeita]
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Wendy Howard might be the personification of resilience. In 2008 she decided to escape the rat race and start a sustainable permaculture project in Benfeita, Portugal. Fast forward ten years and there is a blooming site where many aspects of the permaculture philosophy came together. Then disaster struck in the form of forest fires. In 2017, about half of the project got destroyed.
Wendy tells us about the inner guidance she experiences and how she still has a strong sense that she needs to be here, in Portugal. She is rebuilding everything, and after a grim winter, things are looking good again.
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Off-Grid Leven in Portugal: Verder na het Vuur. Wendy Howard’s Quinta Do Vale [Benfeita]
Wendy Howard is het toonbeeld van veerkracht. In 2008 besloot ze om ze om de jachtigheid van het ‘normale’ westerse leven te ontvluchten. Ze startte een permacultuur project in Benfeita, Portugal. Fast forward tien jaar en er is een bloeiende plek ontstaan waar veel aspecten uit de permacultuur filosofie bij elkaar komen. Toen sloeg het noodlot toe in de vorm van bosbranden. In 2017 werd ongeveer de helft van het project verwoest. Wendy vertelt ons over haar innerlijke kompas en dat ze nog steeds een sterke intuïtie heeft dat ze in Portugal moet blijven. Ze is alles aan het herbouwen, en - na een moeizame winter - is alles nu weer op aan het bloeien.
@tomedward8652 3 жыл бұрын
Someone living in a block of flats, eating industrially farmed food has far less of an impact on on the planet than this woman - I would argue. Just imagine if everybody decided to live on there own 4 acres of land. It would be a disaster for the planet. I know a lot of people will argue against this as this woman has good intentions.
@quintadovalepermaculture 3 жыл бұрын
If a large proportion of humanity returned to living on the land to take care of it, restore degraded soils, replant forests (as opposed to industrial plantations) and restore vibrant functional ecosystems, then that would be the fastest way to reverse the spiralling environmental catastrophe we're causing. Our purpose in life is not to keep ourselves separate from nature but to work with it to help nurture the incredible abundance it's capable of. And we have a lot of damage to repair ...
@tomedward8652 3 жыл бұрын
@@quintadovalepermaculture I agree that would be great but there are simply too many people on this planet to live as you have suggested. To do what you suggest would mean reducing the worlds population. Like I say if everyone decided tomorrow to live like this woman it would be a disaster. Imagine a farmer that currently uses a field to feed 100 people - it would now be given over to one person.
@tomedward8652 3 жыл бұрын
@@quintadovalepermaculture ......but, I do agree that we can certainly reduce our impact on this planet by eating less meat and reducing our reliance on palm oil plantations etc. So I do understand where you are coming from.
@dtom126 3 жыл бұрын
@@tomedward8652 I completely disagree. When you add up the insanely large carbon footprint of an individual living in western first world culture, the resultant impact upon global resources (including corporate mono agriculture and its impact on water supply, not to mention the resultant pollution by pesticide, herbicide, direct ingestion of said pollutants, their costs in health care, cost and environmental impact of transporting said goods to markets sometimes halfway around the world, etc. etc. etc.) You speak like a person who's never stuck a shovel in the earth. I think your argument is the same nonsense spewed by the like of Monsanto. Your perspectives, my friend, have been poisoned.
@tomedward8652 3 жыл бұрын
@@dtom126 -- the points you made are valid. But I still maintain that if EVERYONE suddenly decided to move out of Tokyo city centre, London city centre and moved to the countryside, started digging up the land and claimed 4 hectres to themselves the ecological impact would be devastating. Her life is an ideal life, much like you present. Instead we should focus on making current industrial food processes less cruel, require less pesticides etc. My mind has not been 'poisoned' as you state. I suggest you think about the reality of feeding 8 billion people. There simply isn't enough land to provide everyone on earth this much land. Humans progressed because we learned to specialise in one particular area. No man can be a 'Jack of all trades'.
@jaysal3518 4 жыл бұрын
Such an intelligent lady... it’s just too sad that the majority of the human race is too busy in the accumulation of material things to really understand what this lady is trying to show us all. Thank you for your wise words...
@TheMalone40 3 жыл бұрын
someone who walks the talk , huge respect for you Wendy and all you have done and the path you continue to tread . A continual inspiration to many , and a great teacher :)
@leliu5thelement448 4 жыл бұрын
She is living her true authentic sustainable life. She left the Matrix behind.
@futurecaredesign 3 жыл бұрын
What an amazing interview Wendy, and I absolutely love the note that you end with. Yes, we are cells in a body and nature speaks to us if we only but stop and listen ❤
@irenekightley6066 4 жыл бұрын
What a lovely video Wendy. It's so nice to see you, your home and all the bits and bobs around you and hear you speaking about them. You're a brilliant person and a great pal. Thanks for being there. Irene
@quintadovalepermaculture 4 жыл бұрын
Irene! I only just saw your comment. Thank you! And thank YOU for all the inspiration you've given me over the years in the work you and Fabrice have done at La Ferme de Sourrou! @Finding A Better Way To Live you guys should for sure visit Irene and Fabrice in France if you ever get the chance.
@kokteonggan7499 4 жыл бұрын
You are on the spot! Great!
@RoryZ23 2 жыл бұрын
We only need a persona when we’re around other people. Such a true and important statement.
@patriciaamorim4843 4 жыл бұрын
Inspiring really! Such an amazing way of being
@neldadanilevica719 3 жыл бұрын
“We only need a persona when we interact with other humans. When you’re on your own in nature, with animals, there’s no need for any of that.” ❣️☀️🦋🌻🙏
@CindyVine 4 жыл бұрын
This is exactly what I am planning on doing!
@firstnamelastname-lr2vf 4 жыл бұрын
just make sure you do it legally............. all these constructions even in wood require planning permission or they are illegal and will be removed by the local councils at some point in the future............. Any campsite requires a huge amount of regulation out here.......... you can not just clean a field and open........... well you can but you will get closed down and fined.......... this permaculture is great but Portugal is not the place to let things grow wild............. all those structures burned in the fires on this farm should have 50 meters of the land cleared around them, by law!!........... for a reason.................. you could be sued by your neighbour if the fire passes your dirty land and burns their land.....
@robshipman8691 3 жыл бұрын
@@firstnamelastname-lr2vf Exactly were fed up with alternative lifestyle livers down here in the
@dtom126 3 жыл бұрын
@@robshipman8691 Whatsamatter buddy, are they bringing down your property values?
@LindaCasey Жыл бұрын
Brilliant!
@brunotorres7332 4 жыл бұрын
Fires of Pedrógão were a sad event. Glad you didnt give up I wish to do this in the future. Love the idea of growing my own food and build our own home in my back in Portugal. ❤ de um minhoto in the UK
@yevpt 4 жыл бұрын
Também sou um minhoto no UK e tenho o mesmo sonho de voltar a Pt para ter a minha quinta
@WonsOibaf 3 жыл бұрын
@@yevpt eu estou a pensar seriamente em adotar este modo de vida.. Deprimido do stress da cidade
@quintadovalepermaculture 3 жыл бұрын
Malta! Voltem para trás! O Interior precisa de si! Nós, estrangeiros, estamos a fazer o que podemos com os portugueses como si que já voltaram e as pessoas velhas que restam, mas presisamos de mais pessoas para reparar esta terra linda. O governo não nos ajuda. Estão demasiado focados no dinheiro, posição e aparências e não compreendem a ecologia. Depende do povo.
@SatoriFactory 4 жыл бұрын
"Thank you butterfly"
@megannifranklynschool 4 жыл бұрын
So sorry to hear about the fires.. xxx
@MariJ487 3 жыл бұрын
This is amaizing! Don't mind if there are any stupid comments, Gaia has approved you with it's tiny little yellow butterfly already... Mother earth is with you and so am I!!!
@levinatube 2 жыл бұрын
Beautiful project ,beautiful, strong wise woman. Very inspiring!
@deatraparks4739 3 жыл бұрын
thank you wendy--i want to live like this and i agree about what you said of living in the natural world--i would be blessed to have a friend like you--hope to see and hear more videos-blessing to you---deatra
@NickPescetto Жыл бұрын
Pretty awesome! thanks for sharing this!
@miqdadkhan9915 3 жыл бұрын
Absolutely mesmerizing ♥️
@adrianapiccoli5214 4 жыл бұрын
Thank Youuu! Lovebly person and place
@stevenrichardson6793 4 жыл бұрын
Wendy, you go girl!! I live off grid also in the Colorado Mtns. Really like your place and your attitude and "can do" spirit. Lots of love and support to you from Colorado !!
@oldschool1993 4 жыл бұрын
Yeah right- off grid and on the internet sending messages to someone on the other side of the planet. Gotta hate those evil industrialists who created all those communication satellites blasted into space in blazing environmental glory and all those computers and I-phones built in China and delivered in 1000 foot long bunker fuel guzzling container ships. You need to loosen your man-bun, it's cutting off circulation to your head.
@timblackwood1531 3 жыл бұрын
@@oldschool1993 Tbh u are using the same system and technology to make your comment! That's called double standards where I come from. 🤔
@oldschool1993 3 жыл бұрын
@@timblackwood1531 Tim, where I come from a double standard is condemning something and using it's products at the same time. I don't pretend to be an "off grid rebel", I fully support the achievements of mankind that provide us with our comfortable lifestyle and protect us from nature.
@nickwortley4878 4 жыл бұрын
Amazing I am thinking exactly the same we are a cell on a living organism wow bless you good look ,I am buying property in PORTUGAL very soon wish me luck
@flymakena 3 жыл бұрын
What a beautiful strong sweet woman.I send you love and strength💪💓💪💓
@user-ff1cg2em1q 4 жыл бұрын
You are an amazing and strong woman. Fire is always scary. All buildings are made wisely. Thank you for sharing your experience. Greetings from Russia.
@FindingABetterWayToLive 4 жыл бұрын
Wow russia! How did you find this video?
@user-ff1cg2em1q 4 жыл бұрын
@@FindingABetterWayToLive We live in an eco-village. And we are interested in the experience in other countries.
@FindingABetterWayToLive 4 жыл бұрын
@@user-ff1cg2em1q Amazing :)
@quintadovalepermaculture 4 жыл бұрын
@По полю босиком thank you! Greetings to you in Russia from Portugal.
@Lat41 2 жыл бұрын
Inspiring story and woman. Cheers from Alaska.
@EZENS. 3 жыл бұрын
Bless her heart , such a beautiful being...
@southhillfarm2795 4 жыл бұрын
Wonderful lady. God speaks to her and helps her understand in the way she can accept. Thank God.
3 жыл бұрын
Amazing video
@manuelmachado1276 4 жыл бұрын
thank you
@Lotuslaful 4 жыл бұрын
Love this
@catchagrip1322 4 жыл бұрын
.2.4kw is spot on!! i thought less. Weldone on that one!! Like the idea of cob building but unfortunately i discovered they need maintenance and even at that can only last 15/25 years.. {so i believe} sand/clay bags used to build with seems a far better approach. I have to say though, you're bathroom looks wonderful, most people haven't a clue about this way of life. I'm glad i stumbled across it during my time in Portugal, Get this frecking corona lock down lifted now and i'll be right back there. Thanks for sharing your lovely home with us.
@jednmorf 4 жыл бұрын
Cob lasts forever
@AdianGess 3 жыл бұрын
Wow brilliant thanks
@Lotuslaful 4 жыл бұрын
How did you find your land? I’m looking now I appreciate and feel similarly Thank you for sharing
@kokteonggan7499 4 жыл бұрын
Great! You are doing well. Lady. Bye2 from malaysia
@flymakena 3 жыл бұрын
Totally sane and logically passionate.
@chriscodrington5464 2 жыл бұрын
Beautiful person beautiful working out Lifeways.
@HimachaliFamilyinIreland 3 жыл бұрын
Nice thoughts 👌
@perunut4656 4 жыл бұрын
I like the water wheel design. I've seen a lot of other designs on the web, but I'm thinking a traditional water wheel isn't going to require as much maintenance? I.e. No build up of sediment, debris etc. Yes lower power, but still a reasonable amount
@carvalhofenix188 3 жыл бұрын
Gracias,,,
@kimmurphy6864 4 жыл бұрын
Hi Wendy. Blessings to you from Tennessee in the USA. I find you so interesting. So many people could learn so much from your wisdom. It would be wonderful if you would create a KZfaq channel and let us experience a tiny bit of your world. You have created an amazing place to live. I would love it if I was able to come do volunteer work for you. I have to live in peace in which a great part of that is silence other than nature and it seems to be extremely peaceful up on the side of that mountain. 😁😁😁
@kokteonggan7499 4 жыл бұрын
Great comment! The world need more people like you. Thank you so much.
@quintadovalepermaculture 3 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the comment Kim. This is my KZfaq channel, though there's not a lot on it. Filming and editing videos takes time I don't have at the moment.
@k0mm4nd3r_k3n 3 жыл бұрын
Honestly I think the flushing compost toilet is about the best invention this centenary!
@k0mm4nd3r_k3n 3 жыл бұрын
Wendy Howard is a genius.
@alainboudreau7222 2 жыл бұрын
Merci Madame... :')
@jednmorf 4 жыл бұрын
Hi have a look at paul stamets website he designed a mycelium barkchip waste water cleaner you grow mushrooms and it filters your waste to clean water.
@hassanashwas6719 3 жыл бұрын
I know the feeling
@shanewilliams5326 4 жыл бұрын
I would really love an in depth look into how her toilet works. Does anybody have anything they could share on this please?
@quintadovalepermaculture 3 жыл бұрын
Sorry. Only just saw this comment. All details at www.vermicompostingtoilets.net
@nimrodtomoren 2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the lovely interview, I'm on my way to Portugal to do something similar. I wanted to ask - is there any real way of preventing a fire from coming in and burning everything down again next time? We know it's an inevitability that in the next 2-5 years there will be at least another great fire in most areas in Portugal
@lynnalexander9674 Жыл бұрын
I was a neighbour of Wendy's and lost everything. The hills are blanketed with eucalyptus and pine, right up to the roads frm greed. It will go up again
@tiamaria2241 2 жыл бұрын
The butterflies🥰...
@ZafAdventures 4 жыл бұрын
I think often in same way...
@canyonhaverfield2201 3 жыл бұрын
At film time 6:21 a host describes - 'there's like literally' .. Not to seem overly-critical..yet I want to offer this suggestion -- Lets stop using so many unnecessary words in describing simple issues. Just say- 'here we have the compost layering system' Believe me, as we whittle down to a direct unfettered explanation, more attention. & appreciation is allowed to bloom. Thank you for this beautifully narrated tour. The explanation of the water wheel was a fine example of being direct & clear..I wonder why the Pelton Wheel & common windmill doesn't get attention
@tomlathouwers4172 3 жыл бұрын
''let's stop using so many unnecessary words''.. Continues to write a whole story that no one asked for.
@ironfistarrival 4 жыл бұрын
May I know how much did you buy that land ?
@bubbabooboo2512 4 жыл бұрын
Cool person.
@DJ-uk5mm 3 жыл бұрын
I like to visit and volunteer 😀
@Thejaguarprincesa 3 жыл бұрын
💚🦋💚
@stewartashling9893 3 жыл бұрын
You have a beutiful place
@jenhul1 3 жыл бұрын
In reply to @Tom Edward, I made a very quick and dirty calculation and came up with the very hypothetical figure of 1.8 ha per person if everybody would move onto arable land. I took the figure for arable land in ha and divided by the world population. How much do you need to sustain yourself? My estimate is that you can get by with 250 m2, based on my experience from growing veggies. In suburbia a lot of backyards can be transformed into kitchen gardens and use sustainable systems. Everybody will not move out from the cities, so that´s another reason that Wendy Howard sets an example to us. Some arable land should be reversed to forests again, we need avery tree we can plant. So in summary I'm of the opinion that it's possible on a scale larger than the odd permaculturist.
@QuiChiYang2 4 ай бұрын
That toilet is genius. The worms don't get killed by the human poop & urine?
@flymakena 3 жыл бұрын
Exactly,it's in your head guiding you,I've been an agnostic all my life but now believe that guiding voice could very well be God...it's not your chattering conscious mind it's apart from that.
@kingwah9009 4 жыл бұрын
I'm in love 😍
@donaldmichaellumsden2714 2 жыл бұрын
I like this person . I surface once in while , Just to let people know i'm still alive ( with a sheepish grin ) ( : DML
@seminolestringband 3 жыл бұрын
I'm about to burst !!😞🧘⚡🔥😆
@adelaidaa2568 3 жыл бұрын
I wonder, did she take her kids with her? Were they living there too?
@snowjohnson8095 3 жыл бұрын
I know this people they live in my area and i have done some jobs for them
@robshipman8691 3 жыл бұрын
You get around you said exactly the same on a Dutch couples channel...
@VK-qo1gm 3 жыл бұрын
@@robshipman8691 very observant
@flymakena 3 жыл бұрын
If you need a woofer...
@Lb02 3 жыл бұрын
God is real, he loves each and everybody.
@simplyscottish7656 4 жыл бұрын
...living in a midden
@abdulahmadi4512 3 жыл бұрын
wow. great WOMAN. RESPECT. If you need good, kind neighbour Just send me a message. Myself need a land and old house to start my own organic garden, orchard ...
@eldadesign Жыл бұрын
Does she know few words in Portuguese?...
@Kitiwake 3 жыл бұрын
Where's her husband?
@MariA-bu2jv 3 жыл бұрын
How do you know that she’s married?
@SiRcErOn_YuLmEr Жыл бұрын
Pine trees and eucalyptus trees should be removed from the Portuguese landscapes. They're too dangerous because of the gigantic fires they can generate.
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