Practical renovation in hot weather - ruined farm project EP33

The hot weather is here, with different challenges for off-grid renovation projects, especially for people of our age. Water and shade are both priorities in central Portugal, so we work to manage both in this week's episode.
#houserenovation #abandonedhouse #solarshower #treecare #activeretirement #outdoorkitchen
Episode 33 - Rhythm of the Heat - we adjust our daily schedule to work comfortably in the heat, keep hydrated, and stay clean in rising temperatures. We refresh the solar showers whilst preparing the proper plumbing, manage shade for comfort and better solar power generation, and take some time out to spruce up for guests.
We are Jane and Phil, watch us and share in our long-distance restoration of a ruined Portuguese farm house as we try to build an economic, future-proof home to visit, live in, and share with family and friends.
About us
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We are British professionals trying to navigate the visa regulations after Brexit, so we split our time between the UK and Portugal. That means long periods of planning, lots of travel, and a lot to do when we get to our abandoned farm. We are both in our sixties, some might call us baby boomers, others may see us as Generation X. Anyway, we are semi-retired townies with a bit of renovation experience behind us, but nothing on this scale. This is a new chapter, in a new landscape and culture, and with many open questions. We want to share our discoveries, challenges, triumphs and occasional disasters with you, and perhaps get some guidance, inspiration and solutions back from you in return.
About the Quinta
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We are breathing new life into a small, long-abandoned farm of about 2 acres (8,000 sq metres), on a gentle slope, with multiple buildings, loads of olive, fruit, oaks, pines and other trees, a stream, a well, and masses of potential.
The plan
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This project is what we are calling 'slow renovation' where the journey and the experiences are as important as the finished article. It also stands as an example of 'active retirement' whilst we have the energy and health to make it work. We will go off-grid where possible and aim to create a fabulous single-storey home that is future-proof for people of our age and will welcome friends and family. It should also retain original content wherever possible, embrace local methods and materials, and sit comfortably within the local environment. Of course, there is also the local community, food, wine, facilities and culture to dive into!
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