In this exciting episode, Hotkeys takes a major step forward in the Portugal property renovation journey! For the first time, we reveal the preliminary architect’s plans for rebuilding our abandoned farmstead. Join us as we discuss the layout, vision, and challenges of transforming this ruined house into our off-grid dream home.
But that’s not all! We also tackle a key part of our land management – processing cut olive trees into wood chips. These natural wood chips are perfect for creating pathways around the farmstead, helping to control weeds and improve accessibility while staying eco-friendly.
Our channel follows our story – Jane and Phil, a British couple in our 60s, working part-time to renovate a ruined farmhouse in central Portugal. We share the realities of self-build projects, off-grid living, and sustainable renovation, offering valuable insights for those considering relocation, retirement abroad, or an active lifestyle change.
Subscribe to Hotkeys Portugal for weekly updates on our journey, practical renovation tips, and a first-hand look at the joys and challenges of building a home from the ground up!
#PortugalRenovation #OffGridLiving #SelfBuildProject #SustainableLiving #RetirementAbroad
Thanks again to the hugely talented Dave Curtis for his song, “Sesta”, check out @c_rtis on Instagram to see his other work.
Episode 61 – The Planning Pathway
00:00 Welcome to Portugal
00:39 Sun terrace
03:04 Woodchip pt1
05:29 Logs
07:51 Fabric and chips
09:57 Woodchip pt2
11:48 Chipper clogged
15:36 Path
16:46 Edging
18:34 Slab edges
20:18 Path level
21:36 Architecture – main house
27:31 Architecture – access
30:33 Architecture – tiny house
32:09 Review and close
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27 Comments
Wow it looks fab x
Hi you two. No matter what angle we see your land it looks beautiful. Love the seating circle, the pathways & the plans for the house. We built from scratch & first set of Architect's plans were perfect. It's exciting, bit nerve-wracking, but good fun, enjoy the journey. We can't wait. Hugs ♥️
Great progress with cleaning up of the Olive tree area. The path look great with the wood chips lined with terra-cotta roof tiles. The future plans look lovely, especially with making that outside office area in glassing it in would be lovely to sit in when it rains and Lovely outdoor kitchens nice outdoor seating areas. Sounds lovely. I’m sure it looks great too. Thank you for sharing.❤
Well done guys 😊
I’m loving the path! The edges really make it look pretty. Good idea Phil.
Exciting days ahead.😊
Wonderful plans❤
Looks very promising. Only caveat I have is the amount of south-facing glass the plans show. You’re going to boil alive in the summer unless you have overhanging roofing,
Very modern plans
Love the new path way and using up old tiles for the edging looks great, love your plans for the buildings, the verandas will look fabulous too, ooh I shall look forward to your buildings and progress xxx
under some of those trees would b ideal spot for raised beds,away from intense summer sun .🙂
The plan for the renovation looks fantastic, the terraces at the house will certainly be used often!!👍🏾
Hi guys! Congratulations on your work. The house project you showed us is fantastic! If the architects want to preserve the old structure as much as possible, would you reconsider keep the bread oven that really is very nice? If you think that it would make the guest room too small, is it possible to move it someplace else if there is a concrete base? Just a thought.
Love it. Where are the workshop/tools/garden stuf bilding?
Looks amazing. Love the “orangery” and the verandahs and ramps (as an older person myself). If you have to remove the olive tree for optimal functioning of the tiny house then you should definitely do it. Can you propagate a cutting from the tree and replant somewhere else? You seem to have many beautiful trees which you take great care of so removing one that’s in the way is a wise move.
Since watching you both ,i'm impressed ,You both doing a wonderful job on that land ,i smiled when you build your bed ,as dad said to me ,when i left home ,make your bed lie on it ,What you going to do with the land ,watching for sometime ,Lovely
beau projet
A arvore, que penso ser uma oliveira, pode mudar de local, as oliveiras são muito resistentes os Newbys fizeram isso
With all that slim wood you could also make biochar and have super fertile areas of land forever. Perhaps you could experiment with soil amendments in areas in the future and see what grows better xxx
Sometimes you have to sacrifice a tree or two but never feel bad as you are planting more and doing other things for nature .
We enjoyed your video and hearing about your plans. Good luck! Boa sorte!
Going to be super interesting following along with your journey as the project unfolds 👍. I’m presuming you’re taking all the buildings down & pouring a new insulated floor with damp proof footings , recycling the best of the stone for interior feature walls.
Hopefully the planning process goes smoothly & does not get tied up in Portuguese bureaucracy.
Thanks for sharing your story 👍
Big project, big budget, good luck.
Boa noite Jane e Phil adorei o último vídeo de vocês, gostei do planejamento para a nova casa, tudo bonito e de bom gosto. Também gostei do reaproveitamento das lascas de madeira ,foi uma ótima ideia e Jane adorei a sua dancinha. Tenham uma boa semana, até ao próximo vídeo, abraços😊
Great work 🙂
Love your paths its looking very tidy. Plans look amazing but a bit modern for me, i'm more jaks junk 😅
Ola Phil e Jane!! Muito bonito esse projecto que o arquitecto elaborou! E estão a pensar muito bem a colocar tudo ao mesmo nível, como se diz por cá, "já não caminhamos p'ra novos!!" ! 😁 Aqui estarei para ver novos episódios da vossa rotina!😀Bjinhos