liveable and we can finally start doing some of those crazy projects we dreamed of being able to do. We could have dug a small nature pond or planted a few fruit trees, but no, instead we decided to build another house!!!
Holly and Callum arrived after many weeks nursing their ancient campervan around France, Portugal and Spain, and it was a minor miracle when they made it up the long and winding road to the Freedom Farm.
A very remote slice of paradise away from almost everything, a place where you can enjoy nature and your own thoughts without the interruptions of modern life and technology.
Now back in Madrid and looking back on our stay, I would say that I took away a lot of practical knowledge from Max and Nic. Practical knowledge in terms of permaculture solutions for having hard terrain (no dig garden and hugel mounds) and how to get around not having access to water. It was a good insight into some of the considerations that you need to make when you set out on a off-grid venture and I feel like I have a much better idea of what to expect once I take the plunge and get myself out to the countryside!
This week we all squeezed into our car, with the trailer filled to the brim with shovels, pick axes, and pre-made sandwiches and headed out to El Gozo in Caspe to offer our assistance to a sister permaculture project in need of some helping hands.
It is easy to get carried away describing the beauty of the Farm and the valley; the views across to the mountains, the olive and almond groves, dotted with the ruins of fincas from time gone by. What makes this place really special however, is how, amongst the spectacular landscape, Max and Nic are working to make their own place from scratch. We have really appreciated their down to earth and relaxed nature, and their thoughtfulness in sharing their space and introducing us to their way of life.