The land search has been slow in the last couple of months. Largely because extracting sufficient information from agents, to determine if the land is worth traveling several hours to view, is like pulling teeth. Beyond frustrating, as I have explained before. Each of the two trips I have done recently from the North East to the Centre, took weeks to prepare. During this time, I have been momentarily excited, then crushingly disappointed. For example, one area I liked (where there is the bonus of a broader like-minded community doing like-minded projects) turned out to be the epicentre of a 500 million Euro solar development. I met a heroic man running a yoga retreat there, who had initiated local resistance, which has since become a national movement, as there are many areas that have fallen prey to grant-funded solar projects – a good retirement plan for individuals and a big earner for corporates.

Whilst driving around the area on previous trips, I had noticed a few large solar ‘farms’. One covered three sides of a big hill and others stretched for kilometers at a time. But I had no idea as to the scale of the planned development, until I found potentially suitable land which, synchronistically, was located on the other side of the road to the yoga retreat! As my fingers hovered over the keyboard ready to type an offer, a divine ‘prod’ nudged me to research the solar. Thank goodness I did. An eye-sore of thousands of hectares is in the making, accompanied by supporting high voltage electrical infrastructure, violating the beautiful landscape. The real tragedy is that it is completely unnecessary. Free energy tech’ has existed since at least the time of Tesla, but kept from humanity because of vested interests of the unholy alliance of bad actors who control our world behind the scenes. And that’s just recent history. There is evidence of free energy tech’ going back thousands of years, most likely brought to us by our cosmic cousins.

Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the spectrum, I am pleased to say that I have been making significant progress in learning about the world of Syntropic agro-forestry, a successional system of agriculture designed to support nature in doing what she does naturally, which is to move towards abundance. It does not require the use of soil additives (organic or inorganic) or long-term irrigation. It is an ancient system used by indigenous races, that is experiencing a revival and is being adapted to different climatic regions, including the Mediterranean. (I wrote about it in my previous blog.)

First off, I did a 2 month immersive online course, with a ton of study material and 8 weekly classes. It was super interesting, but it was also mind-boggling for someone with zero cultivation experience. My land management skills extend to restoring and maintaining pasture for horses! So, I was thrilled to discover that immediately after this, the leading light in Portugal was running a 5 day workshop at his experimental farm. I booked a place immediately - to my surprise, as I have had a life-long antipathy towards any form of structured learning (a hangover from being bored rigid at school, and during undergrad’ and post grad’ studies). This was first workshop, ever. And I am very glad I went.

The journey to the Alentejo region was nearly 6 hours, punctuated by a stop to view land on the way. I arrived tired and hungry, and found myself several kilometres down a treacherous dirt track, full of giant craters. I thought I might break my car which, by this time, looked like it had driven through the Sahara desert. Then, I arrived at a river! Yes, a river. I had no idea how deep it was, or what the surface beneath it was like, and I didn’t have any suitable footwear to test it. I was livid that the hotel had not thought to mention this on their website. I messaged them. A confusing exchange followed

(not helped by translation). It transpired that there was an alternative access along another 5 kilometre dirt track, that did not involve crossing a river. But it was 16 kilometres away! My patience evaporated, and I insisted they come and find me. The owner duly arrived and got an ear full…..Oddly enough, 6 days later, my departure wasn’t trouble-free either. I walked out of the hotel after breakfast, only to find a front tyre was flat as a pancake. Bummer!

The 5 day course was hard work, with very long days that finished around 8 pm. It was part classroom, part practical. 16 participants came from very different backgrounds, though we shared a common purpose, namely, to understand nature better and support it’s return to full abundance on our own land, as per the original pristine design. So, it was interesting to swap notes and network.

Conditions on the farm, however, were basic. A compost loo, which had no door (I am not a fan of compost loos – there are more elegant eco solutions for pee and poop) and an outdoor kitchen and classroom. The dirt track to the farm (which was located on a 500 hectare estate) was down a long and bumpy dirt track, as is ‘de rigour’ in the region. On the flip side, the food was excellent. Vegetarian meals, prepared by a couple who lived nearby on the estate, were creative and used luscious organic fruit, vegetables and herbs picked each morning on the farm, all of 20 metres from the kitchen and prepared on the spot. The epitome of nourishing.

Most importantly, it was inspiring to see the agricultural method I had been studying, up close and personal. Seeing and experiencing changes everything. The system had been sensitively adapted to suit the climate of the region, and further modified to align with various micro-climates on the farm. And it was all being scientifically monitored. The instructor was special. His relationship with the land, the trees and the plants was omnipresent, and it was obvious (to me, at least) that he considered the life all around him to be his ‘family’. I can understand this as, in the past, the animals on my farm were my family and I grew to understand them and their needs, at all levels of being.

Creating food abundance for myself is now a palpable reality. More than that, I look forward to working with my (future) land to restore it’s fertility and water retention capabilities and, in so doing, build a thriving eco-system for flora, fauna and humans. I still don’t know nearly enough and have no direct experience, so I will use the consultancy and implementation skills of a professional, learning through the process, enabling me to gradually take stewardship of the project.

Meanwhile, on the domestic front, I am in the process of putting my house on the market, so I can move further south, to be in the area where I am now looking for land. When I bought the house a year ago (because I couldn’t find anywhere to rent), I craved stability after 5 nomadic years. Now, I am itching to move. Living in a traditional Tras Os Montes village in the north east of Portugal, with 35 residents over the age of 65, has been an immersion into the culture and traditions of rural life in one of the poorest parts of the country. There is no better way to learn about this, than to live with the people. I have also observed their relationship with the land, which is enlightened in some ways and ignorant in others (knowing what I know now). And at times, village life has been testing. One tradition I certainly won’t miss, is the piped Portuguese (crooning-style) music that is currently playing at full volume through three speakers outside my house. 4 hours a day, every day, for two weeks leading up to the village party (the second in a year). I am wearing ear plugs as I write. Meanwhile, adorning the street outside my living room, are the equivalent of Christmas lights. They are so bright that I have to wear sunglasses at night. Sadly, the villagers are impervious to my protestations. But this is Portugal!

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