We became homesteaders in Portugal!

Who would have ever guessed that one day we would become homesteaders in Portugal, of all places?

It all started in 2015 when we decided to escape the rat race.

We had been living in Portugal for a total of over thirty years when we started feeling that it was time to move on.

After closing our company, we first spent three months on the Portuguese island of Madeira. Although part of the same country, we hoped to have a different experience. But things did not go as we planned, so we decided it was time to move on.

We then took off on what ended up being an 18 month-long trip, during which we spent time in Malaysia, Bali and Thailand, with a quick visit to the UK and Ireland.

Although we went looking around the world for a place to start a new chapter in our lives, the universe obviously had different plans for us.

We interrupted our trip, returned to Portugal, had to deal with two big house moves, the last one including a major house refurbishment.

After eighteen months of construction hell, we were ready for another house move and hopefully a trip to recharge our energies.

That’s when the covid-19 pandemic hit and everything changed.

There would be no car, aeroplane or train trips anytime soon.

We moved to this property, which we now call the Orange Bloom Homestead, three days prior to the first lockdown in Portugal, on March 18th of 2020.

Although we knew we were about to step into unknown grounds we were thrilled to take on the responsibility and challenge of running a small farm.

What we did not know was that we were about to start an incredible journey. 

We have been adjusting to the farm lifestyle, learning how to grow our own plant-based food, and gradually adopting a more sustainable lifestyle. 

I hope you enjoy this video of the day we moved to the Orange Bloom Homestead. We are happy to share with you such a special day in our lives.

Stick around as this is only the first of many videos to come!

We will be documenting and sharing our adventures as we learn how to grow fruit and vegetables, create simple yet delicious recipes with them and pursue a number of DIY projects.

Do leave your questions and comments below.

See you around!