Great video, Covid has been a real schism in the broader permaculture and homesteading... You put to words most issue that i have been strungling, from the woofer pseudo slavery to the weekend "boomers" ...
I see exactly what you see coming. I appreciate the background. I hope to prepare my land and my family for the future. Greetings from the Virgin Islands.
I absolutely love this kind of segment you both choose to occasionally share with us. It's a true breath of fresh air to know reality still rules in some heads around the world as opposed to just showing a bunch of pseudo hippies in search of enlightenment, never taking the time to consider their contribution to the capitalist world is part of the reason things are the way they are. I also believe a return to the original way of living our ancestors practiced is the only path to growth,resilience, fortitude and to start steering the world into a more sustainable path. Hopefully, making some TRUE friends along the way, sharing a little love, raising great human beings. Whilst being healthier! Thank you for today's episode, THE BEST! Bless you guys, have a great week. P.S-Never shopped at Amazon 😁 Abraço amigos e que se foda o Jeff bezos 💖
I'm limited in what I can write here because of Y.T. censorship. But firstly, I commend you, Maarten, on your actions to protect your family. I love what you are doing it and how you are doing it. However, having as your motivation the undefinable "climate change" is disappointing because it's an unproven theory. A buzzword that is used to mean anything [they] want it to mean. Bear in mind that "glοbal wαrming" was debunked over a decade ago. The measurable warming is negligible and has nothing to do with CΟ2. As for occasional weather extremes, they are normal as climate is naturally a chaotic and unpredictable system. Computer models can't even predict the weather a month hence so the future years are unknowable. The incidence of tornadoes, for example, in the USA has decreased over the last 50 years. A single large volcanic eruption can cause worldwide cooling for a decade. Nobody can predict what will happen. That said, you are in an excellent position to survive, regardless. But please do prepare for global cooling. It can happen. As regards the plαndemic, all I can say is do your research properly (ignore "the news" propaganda) and don't believe a word that any politician says. They are all in it for the money. None of them has any morals. And please, please don't let your kids get needled.
I stayed to the end. That was some speech... Straight to the point, direct and blunt and exactly what many people need to hear (myself included in some aspects, unfortunately). As a portuguese, I'm proud that you chose this country to live in and I also feel proud about what you said about us as a people. I hope we can all collectively match your expectations in the future as well, even for our own sake. I wish you the best of success and a very happy life.
Dear Marteen, hats off to you! Bravo.👏👏👏 As a Portuguese, I am humbled and thrilled you and your wife chose my 🇵🇹 and my society to live in peace, and to do your part towards change. You and your family are the type of folks 🇵🇹 so welcomes with open arms and humble hearts. Thank you🙏 I hope we never let you down. Be happy. Warm regards from Santarém. ❤🇵🇹❤️
Good day Maarten, been following you guys for a good while…that was quite the talk you gave. I appreciate your approach and reasons for undertaking such an endeavor. Yours and Leah’s goals are admirable and not just “the cool thing” to do it seems to me. Your respect for the country, village and people in your area is clear which I am quite sure is very much appreciated by them. Press on, create and live a fulfilling life as you see fit. Have a great week.
I fully understand where you are coming from. I have spent 32 years living and developing as you are now, except I am in Ireland. It's often a hard but satisfying road. I am still learning now. My children are grown now and for some years they left the land and the community to further their education and follow careers. I found that hard at first but they had make their own choices and I kept quiet about my feelings. My eldest son has now returned with his family and the youngest who was born into this situation is in the process of moving back. Both of them have made own their conclusions and are returning for the right reasons. As for me, the ground work to this way of life is done and I'm of an a age where I have to work smarter instead of harder. I feel privileged to live this way with benefits that come with it. The very best of luck to you and your family.
A well articulated and impassioned monologue! A lot of home truths delivered there. I like your UA-cam channel because you come across as authentic and avoid a lot of the clickbait habits that many fall into, and the channel is all the better for it. Keep up the good. work!
Hello from the island at the bottom of the globe lol. Love your thoughts on all this Maarten, I also love you and your family. Hang in there, work with joy in your heart and show collective appreciation. Thank you. Love and hugs.
Guys I have been watching your channel for ages. Keep up the resilience and your determination, I'm sure you will achieve your goals. It's unimportant what others think, it's only important how we feel about it. As a portuguese I wish I would be on that path already. Well done!
I always enjoy listening to others that approach subjects based on their own thoughts and experiences and although I dont agree at this time with all you said, I recognise how important it was for you and I ask politely for those areas I disagree with, the right to be wrong.I loved your conviction and passion as it comes from a good place.The earth is not dying, it is being abused and will eventually correct its situation either through its own actions or through the consciousness of people like you, who realise change is needed. Our leaders have one job to do and that is to better mankind, not worked out well has it? Insane behaviour from all of them,evil stuff going on.More and more are looking for your lifestyle so good on you and more and more of us need to speak up and out.
People like him is completely delusional, listening to all propaganda they are served. They can't contribute to a better world because they are so easy manipulated and they are lost. Really a shame
The Earth is undergoing rapid climate change. You are right that it is not dying but we have already entered destabilized conditions that will render many parts of the globe incompatible with human life. It is WE who are fragile and only some will survive.
Marten, you haven’t said much over the last year but today was probably the best words of wisdom i have heard on the internet in quite a while. I have followed your progress and what you have said today makes it all the clearer, you have totally got the right idea and the correct outlook to succeed, you may be playing the long ball but like your chat just then is that when it does it is common sense and wholesome, keep up the good work. We just need to stop buying shit and value what we have.
I just found your channel today and I am in deep respect of what you are trying to do. Thank you for putting your real self out there--I just wish people would listen.
Like we say in Portugal...quem diz a verdade, a mais não é obrigado (Whoever tells the truth, to more is not obliged). Short, blunt and to the point, you said what I've thought to myself many times, including got myself thinking how I wish I could do the same and how lucky you guys are. Keep it real and be safe.
Hey Maarten, this video made me laugh, think and get emotional at the same time. Kudos to you for speaking up about this very sensitive subject and for embracing that community that is close to my heart. Keep strong!! 💪💪💪
Een hoop kwaadheid in je. Laat het los en focus op je doel en een prachtig en happy off- grid leven met je familie. Ik woon op 32 hectare grond in west Alentejo plus minus 20 km van de oceaan in de campo en leef op dezelfde manier als jullie. De zogenaamde alternatieve blowende zuipende en stelende vrijwilligers met mooie gladde praatjes heb ik mijn rug naar toegekeerd. Wanneer ga je beginnen met de wereld verbeteren vraag ik dan. De lokale mensen te "vriend" houden is de key en zeker de oudere mensen. De oudere Portugese mensen hebben een enorme kennis op het gebied van oude ambachten.
I don’t agree Maarten shows a lot of anger - but to be fair, anyone who has woken up to the truth of what’s really going on has a right to be angry in a healthy way - especially those who have bought young children into the world and those young people who still want to have children and live out their dreams - if people weren’t angry nothing would change, the world should be Outraged, but sadly too many are still asleep or choosing not to see - they are the most dangerous people we have to do all we can to wake them up from this mass formation psychological dissonance, with our futures and freedoms at stake 🙏🏽❤️🇦🇺
@@heatherhall3452 The awakening happens to you. It cannot be learned or talked into. Nor can it be explained to those who are not awakened. It will not be understood. Live in the moment, show unconditional love and happiness and help those who sometimes need an arm around them. On the waterfront of a lake is a beautiful tree full of fruit. We see the reflection of the tree on the water, we talk about it with wise words, but we will never be able to reap the fruit from the tree.
Ik vond dat ik me nog erg heb ingehouden. Mijn ervaringen en gesprekken met deze spirituele hippies, hebben mijn doen beseffen dat ze veelal neerkijken op de Portugezen en hun kennis niet op waarde weten te schatten.
@@ourportuguesehomestead Maarten, mnr. Ek dink u boodskap is goed bedoel. Ek dink baie mense deel u sentiment maar is vasgevang in diie realiteit van die heedendaagse. Meeste mense gee ook nie om nie, maak nie saak hoe kwaad u raak nie. Nou my punt is, 'n mens ooreed nie mense en verander hulle denke deur hulle sleg te se nie. As 'n "verligte" persoon is ek verbaas u het nie die wysheid om dit te verstaan nie. Diktators dink ook hul standpund is reg. Niemand hou van diktators nie. Ek verstaan, u is passivol en die saak is baie belangrik. Hoe daai boodskap oorgedra word is ook belangrik. Ek eidig deur die boodskap te laa, "trek mense nader en moet nie vervreem nie". Mens maak nie vriende met 'n wapen in die hand nie. Alles van die beste en hoop meer mense word wakker. Goeie boodskap, net jammer van die slegseery "name calling" [ die is my taal, Afrikaans]
@@ourportuguesehomestead laat ze maar in hun kleine cirkel rondjes lopen met hun eigen gevormde waarheid. Mooi dat het besef is gekomen dat het niet jullie pad is. Tijd om verder te gaan, genieten van het moment en pluk er de vruchten van. Maak er een prachtige mooie dag van.
Thank you, I found this talk really interesting you should do more,I’ve been watching you from day 1 and love seeing what you have done and your family growing,it doesn’t matter what our who other think or do as long YOU know it’s right for YOU ,bless you all x
Thank you, it was quite scary to do and I’m overwhelmed by all the heartwarming comments so I might do more of these some time in the future :) cheers, Maarten
I am Portuguese living in Germany. I always liked your approach towards everything on this channel, and of course I like to see people who appreciate my beloved country doing things I love too. Furthermore, I already liked your channel, but after this video I like it even more. Finding people who think exactly like me makes me think I'm not alone after all. Bravo to you guys. I love the simplicity, of your channel how straightforward and honest you are in what you say, it's rare these days. Keep up the good work. Greetings
Yeeess! Thank you and well done Martin. I agree and support you whole heartedly. Initially I felt sad that you had to rant to get it off your chest, but if I'd had the courage to RANT louder 20 years ago, then perhaps my world would have been different. Thank you again for articulating my thoughts and feelings better than I could. We'll be waiting for next week's vlog as usual, take care, Elaine ✊
Thank you! Although I think the content of the video needed to be shared whatever the response, it is nice it’s overwhelmingly met with support. Gives me hope for the future. Cheers, Maarten
I watch your PiPs videos so I know you are also sincere people . I remember you got some comeback just for using food that would have otherwise have gone to waste . Its nice to see you here supporting Martin . I'm looking forward to seeing more of your endeavors
Good for you Martin. Honesty and integrity with no filter. It is hard to associate with those that lack either quality, but we are all in this boat together. Keep sharing your journey and progress when you can and you will influence more people to act differently. I look forward to the next rant! Take care
ON YOU kiddo!! Wonderful to hear your feelings and thoughts. Soo many people need to hear this. Thank you and many HUGS to the four of you and your animals!!
Excellent statement. I wish I was thirty years younger and could contribute more. It certainly needs us all to try a bit harder. Growing own food, keep bees, less use of car, walking, simpler lifestyle etc. I'm trying and this sort of commentary just helps me know I am not alone! Well spoken. Cheers, Ian
I admire your family's conviction to go after the goals you deem most important. I totally agree with your analysis of the direction things are going. Groeten uit Nederland
Straight talking and no hiding from uncomfortable truths - I like it. Everybody in the first world leads problematic lifestyles and doing our (yes I'm one!) recycling doesn't even put a dent in our carbon footprint, so total respect for walking the walk, not just talking the talk. Inspiring and refreshingly honest Youtubing - keep up the good work.
We can all take small steps that help our planet. Planning our errands to link them together in a single outing; turning off the water after wetting our hands to wash them, scrubbing, and then turning on the water to rinse; the time of day we water our gardens, not having a lawn, growing vegetables and fruits to consume in season and preserve to use out of season. Turning up the thermostat in summer and lowering it in winter matters too as we individually use less resources. All of us can do something and do it consistently to help. The little things we do, or don't do, add up collectively to make a greater difference.
@@nancibishof6462 Those little things are what this vídeo is NOT about. We need to make a big chance in our way of living, producing and cosuming. No make-up, we need surgery.
@@enriquerojas3149 Firstly, what I said does not limit further more extreme actions. It does matter that all individuals feel they can contribute to reducing use and waste and then act upon it. Those individual little bits add up and we have control over them actually coming into action. We can take actions that matter when governments don't. Your words ignore the actions of individuals and their impact rather than being inclusive of them as part of the solution.
@@nancibishof6462 The problem is that the world population grows over 80M people per year. And the world average ecological footprint, consuming resources and producing waste also increases every year. Of course I try to do all those little things, but I don't fool myself. Our climate and ecological world is gonna change dramatically in... maybe decades, maybe years.
@@enriquerojas3149 I don’t disagree. Nature will win by greatly reducing mankind’s numbers. It is already in progress with the climate changes impacting food production negatively causing famines. Unfortunately those that are making the the most negative impact are generally those suffering from it the least.
Bom dia Maarten, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us. We really do identify with your thoughts and philosophy. We also aim to be as resilient as we can be. We've found our local village to be so welcoming and generous with their time and produce, also their knowledge and experience when it comes to growing and pruning fruits and vegetables. We also enjoyed your take on the psuedo hippy stuff (bless 'em). Liane and I are in our mid to late 50's and we would like to see out our days here. Our children are all up and away (for now) that said, we think in a short period the stuff will hit the fan and they'll need some place to be safe and secure. We hope we can offer that to them. Yes it is hard work, yet it is very gratifying. Thank you.
Bravo in this honest and straight to the point about this subject! I respect your words and views and how you look to the future of your family and not have closed a closed mind about it!
Thank you for your talk, we agree with everything you say. We have a small Quinta in The Sao Mamed Serra's near Portalegre and have been In Portugal for over 28 years, we are English ,but from Kenya originally. Making a living is very hard here and as you say we have to learn from the resilience of the Protugese. But it's worth the freedom and healthy living , both for us and the planet. Keep it up.
The algorithm suggested this and before I got half way through I subbed and liked. Thank you. Your foundational values seem solid. Looking forward to watching you build a future for your family, the land, and community.
I am one of your subscribers living in Jamaica 🇯🇲 and as the Jamaicans say … “nuff respect” … “bless up yourself” … I agree 100% with what you expressed. Take care of yourself, your family and your community and I’ll keep watching… ❤️😄
This expression of your opinions with no holes barred has actually made me want to watch your videos more! It has made me think about my impact on the planet and I'm sure many others will feel the same. Huge respect to you and your family.
Bravo Marten, your walk the talk is well addressed. Thank you for your and Leas willingness to share your experiences. A weekly destressing reminder of what is important in life for a family and humanity. Thank you for setting the context of awareness and responsible behaviour. You and nature fucking wins. ❤️ much love to you and yours.
I really appreciate the backround and motivations talk. As a portuguese, I'm proud that you chose this country to live in. May we all learn to be more resilient. Salutations from Faro 💚
It's good to hear your story Martian. You are speaking from your heart and that can only be a good thing, I feel. The best of luck in growing your homestead. Love all your video's 👍😉🇮🇪🍀
The truly healthy lifestyle you and your family are living and sharing with many who care to watch is a super blessing not just for you and your family but it inspires those of us who desire and do the same. Be blessed and stay safe with your precious family!
Thank you for your living story You are right. The world was conducted to this insane stage and we don't see political leaders comited to change this way. I have 68 years, I live in a big city in Portugal, and if I could I will return for my lands in Norte of the country Your project is encouraging to me Thank you.
Antonio, do not let your age stop you from doing what your heart wants. If your health is strong enough to do the work then return to your land in El Norte. I am almost 80 and I will be moving to the country side the end of this year. I have the skills and the will and have learned to work with a bad back. We are here to live well according to our conscience and hope for the world. Perfection is not required.
@@realcalgal1150 Yes, I don't give up on my dreams. Fortunately I'm healthy and I can risk new projects. I am in a process of building a small house to live in the north of the country, at least in spring, summer and autumn, in the middle of nature, but close to essential amenities. This depends on the bureaucracy of municipal authorities. Thank you, be happy.
Happy to hear it resonates with you :) It can be scary to share some of our believes with how polarized the internet is these days, so your comment is encouraging
Maarten I think I have been following your videos virtually since they started this was the one I have enjoyed the most. I frequently asked myself how you came to be where you are. Now I know. And I empathize with your views and most probably would be doing something similar myself were I 50 years younger! I wish you and the family every happiness ans success in building lives for yourselves there. I will continue to follow your day to day activities with much increased interest now I know all this about you. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Maarten. Brilliant! And I am glad to hear more of your and Lea's background, and mindset. I agree with all of it. All of it..... I tend toward history et al, and as you were speaking, I was flashing back to immigrants coming to the US in the 1700s. "We need to get out, and we choose 'there' in hopes of a better chance." The learning curve was vertical. You learned to do and make and fake what you needed more than you ever thought you could do. And you always tried to see that your children had the best upbringing and options that you could provide. But you do the best that you can in the time you are in for yourself and your family, and the like-minded community around you. And yes, the world, as we know it now, is dying.... Or at least changing so drastically that we would not recognize it in a few decades. . But people will continue to survive. The losses will be tremendous.... At 70, I cannot start over. But I can do what I can as long as I can. Thanks for sharing this. Best to Lea.
Thanks for sharing. I am aware people have done before us, but there is more work to be done in the future. This hopefully doesn’t come across as if we don’t appreciate the work already done in the past.
Ola! Great job. I love that you are able to so clearly express your thoughts. My husband and I have been watching your channel since the beginning. I am a horticulturist and my husband a mechanic, so we watch many of your struggles on the land and actually know the answer already. You both figure it out and make the best of what you have. Congrats on your journey. Because of you have have begin sharing our journey. Maybe sometime when you get chance you will take a look. Thanks again for sharing. We love watching your family grow. Have a wonderful day, Leslie and Alan
One of the most impactful youtube video i have seen, if not the most... I live in an island which is becoming congested. Its a shame that i do not have the resources to finance myself to do what you are doing. But i am proud to say, that i am planting stuff to somehow do away from the food grid, little by little, and at least reduce wastes caused by food packages...keep it up guys
One of the most honest and truthful talks I have seen in a long long time which also recognizes the issues with the way many view this sort of lifestyle.
FANTASTIC! ! Finally someone has the balls to speak out and give the real reasons for being in Portugal and saying what some of us believe to be the reasons for moving to such a beautiful place that doesn't need to be changed to upbeat new life's but reverse back to past farmers ways that could teach us all a thing or two about survival on how to build now for a better future and not to ruin it by modern demands of quick services and distant buying. Congratulations and good on you for speaking out and sound greatly put 😊 your children have a very lucky and profitable future in front of them, of how you are providing for them now guiding their later movement to carry on your folocity if they want to. Well done ! We have watched everyone of your videos but this one made us smile and feel every word you said 🖒
Maarten, your passion is infectious & the life you and Lea are making for yourselves and your children is enviable. I wish you both the very best and that you overcome and manage with all that life throws at you. You remind me of the saying: "If all the animals on the planet disappeared, man would die off. However, if all humans disappeared, animals would thrive". Man and greed is the planet's greatest enemy. Bon courage amis....🥰
Best video you have made! Everything else you do comes off the back of these convictions👏🏽 I watched to the very end and agree wholeheartedly with everything you said.
This might have been a different video from what you usually do but so import and I really appreciate you being so honest and transparent. And I will for sure stick around in the future as well. Thank you!
Bom dia, thank for sharing your thoughts. You should do it more often! I’ve been watching and admire Your decision for a while. Abraço de uma portuguesa a toda a vosa família!
Thank you sooo much for being an authentic, real, intelligent, resourceful and honest human being. You and your family are helping me regain my hope in some humans.
I enjoyed you opening up and giving us viewers your background and stand on things. I may not agree with a lot of what you said but I defend your right to say it.
Thank you for sharing! It is the same here in the States. I so admire people like you who adapt yourself and look for opportunities to problem solve and get stronger to deal with living. Keep that faith in yourself, your family, and your community and you will be ok. Be well.
Thanks so much. Greetings from Cape Town, I do love your philosophy and I am making plans to start my own little homestead/farm in my ancestral village. Going back to my roots and their way of life as much as possible is my aim. With you all the way!
Thanks to share your ideas and the way you decided your new track. Congratulations and all the best and wish you succeed in your journey. The world is at the stage you have clearly mentioned. 👏👏👏
What a refreshing video, much respect Maarten. You have articulated much of what we feel. The move that you made to a simpler but harder life reflects a similar move my own father made 65 years ago, your political perspective is similar to my own, and I too was a postman ! We are motivated to make a move to Portugal 🇵🇹 too, inspired by the belief that Portugal has a society that values more than the greed and self interest is see in post brexit Britain. I was pleased to see PCP flags on the streets around the Castelo Branco district in February and March, that to me reflected class consciousness among the local people. I too was appalled to see a Covid sceptic UA-camr expressing his nonsense a couple of months ago.
Wow - thank you, Marteen. I feel your frustration. I am in CA but am too surrounded by far too many virus deniers. It's been heartbreaking and disappointing. I appreciate your very informed opinion. I admire your lifestyle. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, the planet would have a future if people decided to face the truth and had the integrity to do something about it.
Really enjoyed this video, I am here for the personality as much as I am here for the gardening or land reviving content. I feel that your personality hasn't always come through very much in prior videos and glad to see you found the right way to step forward in a passionate way. Your desire to learn skills so you can be more resilient does resonate with me, it reminds me of the renaissance man approach that I was first exposed to via the early retirement extreme book. Might be worth taking a look at it. It boils down to being skilled across many areas vs being a super specialist in 1 thing and needing to rely on others for everything else.
I've got 4 children myself, they are adults now. We taught them to think for themselfs through their growing up. I also adviced them to think global. So they all have studied and live their lifes now in Portugal, Colombia, Italy and Belgium. I'm happy they live their own life and not what you are supposed to do. Maarten goed uitgelegd, ik sta achter je man. En van deze zijde geen gezweef in de gedachten maar realiteit. Thanks for sharing these words with us.
I am one who watched right through to the end Marrten (sorry about spelling of your name) and I commend you for your choices. I was surprised to read you were in my home country for a year, though I am in the South East of Wales, hope you had a good experience when you were both here. Love the channel, really enjoying watching the four of you progress. Keep up the great work. John 👍
No worries about the spelling, my parents clearly didn’t think I’d leave the Netherlands when they picked a name haha (it’s spelled Maarten). I cycled all the way from the Netherlands (plus a ferry ofcourse) so I had the privilege to enjoy the beautiful nature your country has to offer.
As an old man in my 70s it is great to see you speaking out for self reliance. Keep it up! You are succeeding at doing a positive thing that will ensure your families survival and be a role model for your wee ones. Actually, the two of you will make it so you children will do well. You may not be happy with certain things that you try out but that comes with growing and homesteading as I've seen from others all over North America and Europe. I'm doing some of the things that you're doing in my own backyard. Must be my Flemish ancestry cuz I don't think there's any Dutch in me ancestors Tree of Life. Yep you're one of the Dutch who are/is much!
Thank you for saying what so many of us are thinking Marteen, and I so laughed when you spoke about the enlightened misaligned chakras! People really need to wake up and get a grip, and see the bigger picture. We are now living in a very very unstable world and the world we knew is disappearing fast! I'm in London, planning on leaving and aim for Portugal, but can't just yet as I have obligations and it's a retirement dream. I want to be self sufficient too and not depend on a government to feed me. Fingers crossed I will make it!
Thank you I watched your channel. You said some things that has been on my mind in the last few weeks. I always enjoy your sense of humour about things.
Well done., Marteen! This from an 84 year old homesteader for most of my life. I saw in the 1950’s where we were headed, and have tried since then to live in a way that had the least impact on our earth. I have had to be happy with that effort, but unhappy with the effect that my efforts have had on others. My three children at least are trying also, and have the skills and knowledge to grow most of their own food. I will have to be content with that!
Fantastico video. I am so happy to follow your channel and your journey. If I liked and respect you and your family before, now I admire too. I am glad you spoke the way you did.
I really enjoyed your talk. I hardly knew anything about you two and now I have such respect because you are highlighting a reality of where our world is heading to. Big hug to you both.
Amazing Marten i am so impressed . I have been watching you, since the very first vlog, always liked But never comented anything, but today i had to say something to you. Well done ! I am so agreed with you ! Its about time people starts to see the reality . Well done and stay on your believes . I realy admire you guys. I feeling proud to be Portuguese and people like you have choosen my country to live the so right and trully way you do. All the best😊 Ana (portuguese 58 y old living in Norway the last 30 years planning to come back soon for also a more trully and sustainable life)…
Thank you, Marteen! You really put my thoughts into eloquent and powerful words. I've been enjoying your videos having decided I'm heading for a similar way to yours right before I went down with my second burnout. I'm still recovering at home and your videos give me hope and confidence I will manage the plan I started a decade ago but lacked courage. I appreciate you and Lea's thoughts and values a lot- they have become rare these days- and Puck is a constant source of joy for me :)
Thanks so much for speaking up. How impressive you are; everything you said makes total sense and the truth of where we are today globally. I admire you, your family, good job.❤️👍
Well said. Thank you for your heartfelt comments. You have all my admiration for your willingness to lie out your beliefs. May your life and family continue to bring you all happiness.
Hi! Let me start by saying that I love your channel, and you have a beautiful family and I love to see people like you moving to Portugal. Good people! About this particular video, my comment is not a criticism or an attack on anything you said. We all make our own path, and maybe there is no right or wrong. I've disagreed with a part of it, and agreed with another. I agree with your goal and general purpose of it. I disagree on, let's call it, the methods you invoked to justify the "right path". I noticed some contraditions on your thoughs, specially about the vaccines (specially contrasting to when you said you joined the working class team. In a sentence those who won more with the vaccine are not the people, but the multimillionaire companies behind it). It won't be possible for me to explain it here, since is a complex subject, but maybe one day we could develop our thoughs. We all should join forces and despite our differences we should be united in this land of ours. It is good to get to know you a little bit more (we have similar goals). Fortunately there are more and more families coming to central Portugal, living off grid or not, each with different ideas, but all with the purpose of a better future, and it is good if we cross knowledge and help each other (I'm also not a person up to the pseudo-spirituallity sh*t, like you also make notice that you're not either). Maybe one day we have the chance to meet. I would love that (I also have a little kid about the age of yours, and it would be even greater for them to be able to interact, since we all have the same goals). Thank you for sharing this video and be honest about yourselves.
👏👏👏 you are in the right track ! You learn, you teach your kids skills that will be so valuable for them whatever lifestyle they choose and your land is giving back all the hard work you both do. Keep going, keep being resilient .
Having just watched and listened to this video Maarten, You have Cath and my respect and gratitude for your honest and direct share of your values and reasons for your and Leah's choice. Refreshing and so full of wisdom. Admire and agree with you (apart from the vax) Cath was trying the same thing for the same reasons in the Pyrenees in the 70's. She left with her two very young children because "it was like living with a bunch of boy scouts, playing by a bonfire" She tried again in the 80's in Wales but relationship was not good and she fled with her children her life and what remained of her sanity. Circumstances play a big part in what we can choose but the biggest and most rewarding is taking risks for what we believe. Your foresight and humble hearts, love for the future for your family and the planet is wonderful. We wish for you continuing joy, fullfillment and peace. Cath is 70 now and lives to her upmost with the same values and belief that she had from a young teenager. Seen the changes for the worse happen which she was outcast and ridiculed for siteing. Doomsayers say alot but not all Do.! Bravo again to you and Leah ✌ Watching from the tropical weather of heavy rain to full on heat numerous times a day...Wales! 🤔 👍 People probably not interested 🙄 in this, my comment but just sharing, that with belief in your reasons for choices helps fortify the like minded and anyone who doesn't feel empathy has the freedom to disagree. Respectfully, hopefully!
Keep the faith - you are healing and nurturing where you can. Thank you for sharing and for being true to your values. Your children are lucky to have such good examples of how to live on this hurting planet.
I admire you and your wife for having the courage to do something about your beliefs keep it up what others say don't matter live your life your way good luck stay safe
Thank you for this video. It was clear and lucid. I guess whatever one chooses to do with their lifestyle and its impact on others must be genuine. There is no room for pretence. At the very least, if you are a ‘total consumer’, don’t pretend to be something else, but you are adversely affecting the world. If you are a ‘lifestyle groupie’…..well that is generally pretty transparent and ultimately leads to failure in the fairly short term. For those committed to changing our patterns of consumption and lifestyle permanently, it is the toughest path to follow. But it is the most socially responsible and viable one. And for those like me, all we can do is regret not seeing the early signs in the late sixties when we were still young enough to have personally changed our trajectory. You have my admiration for both the choice and the effort required in a truly reinvented life.
Thank you for saying what you did.. I admire your thoughts and lifestyle.. It may be hard at time's but you will have a happyness in life that many of us could never dream off. Sending my best wishes to you and your family.
Continue assim fiel aos seus princípios, e obrigado por escolher o meu país para viver a vida que almeja e para educar os seus filhos. All the luck of the world
Thank you for sharing your story. It was thought provoking and I loved the way you spoke about the future of your children, offering a different way of living, whilst still preparing them to function in today's reality. Blessings, -Kate
Geweldig goed verhaal, Maarten!, Even though you may feel like a doomsayer, your integrity and heartfelt emotion is contagious. I would buy a pot of ‘Doomsday Maarten’ honey anytime. I think it would make a great brand.
I respect you both even more!!! I was listening carfuly to Leah in her ironical tone 😊 and now YOO are out in the open! I agree with every word and think you are brave and realistic as well. 🙏
Bedankt Maarten voor je speech. Het wordt de laatste jaren steeds duidelijker dat de huidige manier van leven eindig is. We vernielen de planeet steeds sneller. De stap om uit deze vicieuze cirkel te stappen is echter behoorlijk groot. Ik vind het knap dat jullie dat gedaan hebben en wat jullie tot nu toe bereikt hebben! Succes!
I loved this from start to finish !! Ty had a big smile my face at the end. You have a beautiful family and I'm so glad like us you've chosen Portugal till you die. Enjoy everysingle moment making beautiful memories. Ate la proxima ☮️💟💪
Although I agree with many of your sentiments and I'm not going to mention Bezos, I really think Amazon itself is saving a lot of wasted energy and unnecessary trips. I can't count the number of wasted trips to UK hardware stores trying to find something before having to give up and ordering online. US stores are an improvement with a much wider selection but sometimes a longer drive. How many cars have been taken off the road because you can just sit at home and order from Amazon? Still undecided if we are going to end up in the South of France, Galicia or Portugal, but hopefully in the next year or two. Most of us can't change the world but we can still make a small difference and I enjoy watching you and family doing what you can.
What a wonderful video, and explanation of your thoughts, your life. Thank you, Maarten, for your honesty. It's so refreshing in today's social media. I love your channel ever more! Bravo! 👏🌞🌈
What a pity that you framed all the people who live their lives in a different way you do. Also for critical, awake people it seems you have a lot of judgements. Loved to see you building your place in Portugal, but now it feels like something came in between and makes it difficult for me to keep watching you. Wish you all the best.
It was a privilege, encouraging, and meaningful to hear you share about what you are doing, why you are doing it, how you see the world, and how you and your wife will proceed going forward. I am an almost 70 year old first generation Polish American and teaching University level European History - still teaching actually. I admire and appreciate what you and your wife are doing. ~~~~~ You give me hope in this difficult and problem filled world we inhabit, where the deaf and blind lead the deaf and blind. I hope there are many more like you, I hope many of you find each other, I hope for your children's sake and my grandchildren's sake you can change the world. ~~~~~ Even to change a small part of the world will be a good and great thing. May you all be well and have strength for the journey.
Loved your talk on fossil fuel. We here in America are struggling with the Gov ineptness to understand what they are doing is killing our way of life. I am 80yrs old and cannot do anything but pray saner minds will prevailed. Thank you I applaud you for speaking out!
Well done. Good luck with settling into your Portuguese community, with preparing your children for what may come, and acknowledging the truths about the climate. I applaud you.
Bravo Marrten! Being in the winter of our lives (68 & 74) I have regrets about some of our past choices. However we live a low key life in the countryside in Brittany France & do our best to grow our own, compost everything & save water in an underground tank which we pump to water plants in the summer . We have frugality down pat from choice as well as for economic & environmental reasons. I think it takes a lot of courage to do what you have both done. Continue to follow your heart ❤
Geweldig verhaal. Ik ben 59 jaar, en werk al mijn hele werkzame leven als verpleegkundige. Ook gedurende die vreselijke covid periode, waarin ik dingen heb meegemaakt, die ik niemand toewens. Ik heb zelfs mensen gehad die terwijl ze stervende waren nog steeds ontkenden dat covid bestond. Ik ben zo blij met jouw nuchtere en niet zweverige verhaal. Jullie video’s maken mij blij, omdat ik ook de moeilijke momenten zie, waarin ik mijzelf zo herken. Ik geniet ervan om in mijn kleine tuin nu ook wat groenten te kweken. Maar als ik het allemaal over zou mogen doen, zou ik toch andere keuzes hebben gemaakt. Ik voel mij langzaam leeglopen, en ik moet nog zo lang werken! Een hele lieve groet van mij, Hetty uit Veenendaal.
I know this is a little bit different from usual, and some might not agree with us. But I would ask you to stay kind in the comments.
Great video, Covid has been a real schism in the broader permaculture and homesteading... You put to words most issue that i have been strungling, from the woofer pseudo slavery to the weekend "boomers" ...
@@sjhop what are you insinuating?
I see exactly what you see coming. I appreciate the background. I hope to prepare my land and my family for the future. Greetings from the Virgin Islands.
I absolutely love this kind of segment you both choose to occasionally share with us.
It's a true breath of fresh air to know reality still rules in some heads around the world as opposed to just showing a bunch of pseudo hippies in search of enlightenment, never taking the time to consider their contribution to the capitalist world is part of the reason things are the way they are.
I also believe a return to the original way of living our ancestors practiced is the only path to growth,resilience, fortitude and to start steering the world into a more sustainable path.
Hopefully, making some TRUE friends along the way, sharing a little love, raising great human beings.
Whilst being healthier!
Thank you for today's episode, THE BEST!
Bless you guys, have a great week.
P.S-Never shopped at Amazon 😁
Abraço amigos e que se foda o Jeff bezos 💖
I'm limited in what I can write here because of Y.T. censorship. But firstly, I commend you, Maarten, on your actions to protect your family. I love what you are doing it and how you are doing it. However, having as your motivation the undefinable "climate change" is disappointing because it's an unproven theory. A buzzword that is used to mean anything [they] want it to mean. Bear in mind that "glοbal wαrming" was debunked over a decade ago. The measurable warming is negligible and has nothing to do with CΟ2. As for occasional weather extremes, they are normal as climate is naturally a chaotic and unpredictable system. Computer models can't even predict the weather a month hence so the future years are unknowable. The incidence of tornadoes, for example, in the USA has decreased over the last 50 years. A single large volcanic eruption can cause worldwide cooling for a decade. Nobody can predict what will happen. That said, you are in an excellent position to survive, regardless. But please do prepare for global cooling. It can happen. As regards the plαndemic, all I can say is do your research properly (ignore "the news" propaganda) and don't believe a word that any politician says. They are all in it for the money. None of them has any morals. And please, please don't let your kids get needled.
You are lucky to have escaped the circus and I commend your courage and honesty.
Made me think about ways I can continue to improve 💚💛❤️🇵🇹
I stayed to the end. That was some speech... Straight to the point, direct and blunt and exactly what many people need to hear (myself included in some aspects, unfortunately). As a portuguese, I'm proud that you chose this country to live in and I also feel proud about what you said about us as a people. I hope we can all collectively match your expectations in the future as well, even for our own sake. I wish you the best of success and a very happy life.
Dear Marteen, hats off to you! Bravo.👏👏👏 As a Portuguese, I am humbled and thrilled you and your wife chose my 🇵🇹 and my society to live in peace, and to do your part towards change. You and your family are the type of folks 🇵🇹 so welcomes with open arms and humble hearts. Thank you🙏 I hope we never let you down. Be happy. Warm regards from Santarém. ❤🇵🇹❤️
Good day Maarten, been following you guys for a good while…that was quite the talk you gave. I appreciate your approach and reasons for undertaking such an endeavor. Yours and Leah’s goals are admirable and not just “the cool thing” to do it seems to me. Your respect for the country, village and people in your area is clear which I am quite sure is very much appreciated by them. Press on, create and live a fulfilling life as you see fit. Have a great week.
I fully understand where you are coming from.
I have spent 32 years living and developing as you are now, except I am in Ireland.
It's often a hard but satisfying road. I am still learning now.
My children are grown now and for some years they left the land and the community to further their education and follow careers. I found that hard at first but they had make their own choices and I kept quiet about my feelings. My eldest son has now returned with his family and the youngest who was born into this situation is in the process of moving back. Both of them have made own their conclusions and are returning for the right reasons.
As for me, the ground work to this way of life is done and I'm of an a age where I have to work smarter instead of harder. I feel privileged to live this way with benefits that come with it.
The very best of luck to you and your family.
That’s a future to look forward to :) thanks for sharing.
A well articulated and impassioned monologue!
A lot of home truths delivered there.
I like your UA-cam channel because you come across as authentic and avoid a lot of the clickbait habits that many fall into, and the channel is all the better for it.
Keep up the good. work!
Good morning. Here in Portugal we say: "whoever tells the truth does not deserve punishment". well done. 👍👌🙌
What if sb tells you 'I've raped your daughter' and its truth?
👍
👍
Great saying, wish more people would be truthful these days, instead of total fear of hurting feelings.
Muito bom, excelente tradução 😁
Hello from the island at the bottom of the globe lol. Love your thoughts on all this Maarten, I also love you and your family. Hang in there, work with joy in your heart and show collective appreciation. Thank you. Love and hugs.
Guys I have been watching your channel for ages. Keep up the resilience and your determination, I'm sure you will achieve your goals. It's unimportant what others think, it's only important how we feel about it. As a portuguese I wish I would be on that path already. Well done!
I always enjoy listening to others that approach subjects based on their own thoughts and experiences and although I dont agree at this time with all you said, I recognise how important it was for you and I ask politely for those areas I disagree with, the right to be wrong.I loved your conviction and passion as it comes from a good place.The earth is not dying, it is being abused and will eventually correct its situation either through its own actions or through the consciousness of people like you, who realise change is needed. Our leaders have one job to do and that is to better mankind, not worked out well has it? Insane behaviour from all of them,evil stuff going on.More and more are looking for your lifestyle so good on you and more and more of us need to speak up and out.
I really like your comment. Very respectful and measured.
People like him is completely delusional, listening to all propaganda they are served. They can't contribute to a better world because they are so easy manipulated and they are lost. Really a shame
very well said and so more polite than i would have managed
The Earth is undergoing rapid climate change. You are right that it is not dying but we have already entered destabilized conditions that will render many parts of the globe incompatible with human life. It is WE who are fragile and only some will survive.
The rulers are manipulating weather. It's a war method, not as visible as with guns. They also use geoengineering
Marten, you haven’t said much over the last year but today was probably the best words of wisdom i have heard on the internet in quite a while. I have followed your progress and what you have said today makes it all the clearer, you have totally got the right idea and the correct outlook to succeed, you may be playing the long ball but like your chat just then is that when it does it is common sense and wholesome, keep up the good work. We just need to stop buying shit and value what we have.
I just found your channel today and I am in deep respect of what you are trying to do. Thank you for putting your real self out there--I just wish people would listen.
Like we say in Portugal...quem diz a verdade, a mais não é obrigado (Whoever tells the truth, to more is not obliged).
Short, blunt and to the point, you said what I've thought to myself many times, including got myself thinking how I wish I could do the same and how lucky you guys are.
Keep it real and be safe.
Hey Maarten, this video made me laugh, think and get emotional at the same time. Kudos to you for speaking up about this very sensitive subject and for embracing that community that is close to my heart. Keep strong!! 💪💪💪
Een hoop kwaadheid in je. Laat het los en focus op je doel en een prachtig en happy off- grid leven met je familie. Ik woon op 32 hectare grond in west Alentejo plus minus 20 km van de oceaan in de campo en leef op dezelfde manier als jullie. De zogenaamde alternatieve blowende zuipende en stelende vrijwilligers met mooie gladde praatjes heb ik mijn rug naar toegekeerd. Wanneer ga je beginnen met de wereld verbeteren vraag ik dan. De lokale mensen te "vriend" houden is de key en zeker de oudere mensen. De oudere Portugese mensen hebben een enorme kennis op het gebied van oude ambachten.
I don’t agree Maarten shows a lot of anger - but to be fair, anyone who has woken up to the truth of what’s really going on has a right to be angry in a healthy way - especially those who have bought young children into the world and those young people who still want to have children and live out their dreams - if people weren’t angry nothing would change, the world should be Outraged, but sadly too many are still asleep or choosing not to see - they are the most dangerous people we have to do all we can to wake them up from this mass formation psychological dissonance, with our futures and freedoms at stake 🙏🏽❤️🇦🇺
@@heatherhall3452 The awakening happens to you. It cannot be learned or talked into. Nor can it be explained to those who are not awakened. It will not be understood. Live in the moment, show unconditional love and happiness and help those who sometimes need an arm around them.
On the waterfront of a lake is a beautiful tree full of fruit. We see the reflection of the tree on the water, we talk about it with wise words, but we will never be able to reap the fruit from the tree.
Ik vond dat ik me nog erg heb ingehouden. Mijn ervaringen en gesprekken met deze spirituele hippies, hebben mijn doen beseffen dat ze veelal neerkijken op de Portugezen en hun kennis niet op waarde weten te schatten.
@@ourportuguesehomestead Maarten, mnr. Ek dink u boodskap is goed bedoel. Ek dink baie mense deel u sentiment maar is vasgevang in diie realiteit van die heedendaagse. Meeste mense gee ook nie om nie, maak nie saak hoe kwaad u raak nie. Nou my punt is, 'n mens ooreed nie mense en verander hulle denke deur hulle sleg te se nie. As 'n "verligte" persoon is ek verbaas u het nie die wysheid om dit te verstaan nie. Diktators dink ook hul standpund is reg. Niemand hou van diktators nie. Ek verstaan, u is passivol en die saak is baie belangrik. Hoe daai boodskap oorgedra word is ook belangrik. Ek eidig deur die boodskap te laa, "trek mense nader en moet nie vervreem nie". Mens maak nie vriende met 'n wapen in die hand nie. Alles van die beste en hoop meer mense word wakker. Goeie boodskap, net jammer van die slegseery "name calling" [ die is my taal, Afrikaans]
@@ourportuguesehomestead laat ze maar in hun kleine cirkel rondjes lopen met hun eigen gevormde waarheid. Mooi dat het besef is gekomen dat het niet jullie pad is. Tijd om verder te gaan, genieten van het moment en pluk er de vruchten van. Maak er een prachtige mooie dag van.
Thank you, I found this talk really interesting you should do more,I’ve been watching you from day 1 and love seeing what you have done and your family growing,it doesn’t matter what our who other think or do as long YOU know it’s right for YOU ,bless you all x
Thank you, it was quite scary to do and I’m overwhelmed by all the heartwarming comments so I might do more of these some time in the future :) cheers, Maarten
I am Portuguese living in Germany. I always liked your approach towards everything on this channel, and of course I like to see people who appreciate my beloved country doing things I love too. Furthermore, I already liked your channel, but after this video I like it even more. Finding people who think exactly like me makes me think I'm not alone after all. Bravo to you guys. I love the simplicity, of your channel how straightforward and honest you are in what you say, it's rare these days. Keep up the good work. Greetings
Yeeess! Thank you and well done Martin.
I agree and support you whole heartedly.
Initially I felt sad that you had to rant to get it off your chest, but if I'd had the courage to RANT louder 20 years ago, then perhaps my world would have been different.
Thank you again for articulating my thoughts and feelings better than I could.
We'll be waiting for next week's vlog as usual, take care, Elaine ✊
Thank you! Although I think the content of the video needed to be shared whatever the response, it is nice it’s overwhelmingly met with support. Gives me hope for the future. Cheers, Maarten
I watch your PiPs videos so I know you are also sincere people . I remember you got some comeback just for using food that would have otherwise have gone to waste . Its nice to see you here supporting Martin . I'm looking forward to seeing more of your endeavors
Baie dankie! Telling us this made me think seriously about where we are going and what we are doing now to be prepared.
A hard talk on the realities. Self sufficiency in terms of energy, food and mental growth is the right track, i too believe.
exactly, love this one. self sufficiency on mental health)) and growth, lol, amazing
Good for you Martin. Honesty and integrity with no filter. It is hard to associate with those that lack either quality, but we are all in this boat together. Keep sharing your journey and progress when you can and you will influence more people to act differently. I look forward to the next rant! Take care
ON YOU kiddo!! Wonderful to hear your feelings and thoughts. Soo many people need to hear this. Thank you and many HUGS to the four of you and your animals!!
Excellent statement. I wish I was thirty years younger and could contribute more. It certainly needs us all to try a bit harder. Growing own food, keep bees, less use of car, walking, simpler lifestyle etc. I'm trying and this sort of commentary just helps me know I am not alone! Well spoken. Cheers, Ian
I admire your family's conviction to go after the goals you deem most important. I totally agree with your analysis of the direction things are going. Groeten uit Nederland
Maarten, well said, I admire your thoughts and conviction.I hope you and your family find what you are looking for.
Straight talking and no hiding from uncomfortable truths - I like it. Everybody in the first world leads problematic lifestyles and doing our (yes I'm one!) recycling doesn't even put a dent in our carbon footprint, so total respect for walking the walk, not just talking the talk. Inspiring and refreshingly honest Youtubing - keep up the good work.
We can all take small steps that help our planet. Planning our errands to link them together in a single outing; turning off the water after wetting our hands to wash them, scrubbing, and then turning on the water to rinse; the time of day we water our gardens, not having a lawn, growing vegetables and fruits to consume in season and preserve to use out of season. Turning up the thermostat in summer and lowering it in winter matters too as we individually use less resources. All of us can do something and do it consistently to help. The little things we do, or don't do, add up collectively to make a greater difference.
@@nancibishof6462 Those little things are what this vídeo is NOT about.
We need to make a big chance in our way of living, producing and cosuming.
No make-up, we need surgery.
@@enriquerojas3149 Firstly, what I said does not limit further more extreme actions. It does matter that all individuals feel they can contribute to reducing use and waste and then act upon it. Those individual little bits add up and we have control over them actually coming into action. We can take actions that matter when governments don't. Your words ignore the actions of individuals and their impact rather than being inclusive of them as part of the solution.
@@nancibishof6462 The problem is that the world population grows over 80M people per year.
And the world average ecological footprint, consuming resources and producing waste also increases every year.
Of course I try to do all those little things, but I don't fool myself. Our climate and ecological world is gonna change dramatically in... maybe decades, maybe years.
@@enriquerojas3149 I don’t disagree. Nature will win by greatly reducing mankind’s numbers. It is already in progress with the climate changes impacting food production negatively causing famines. Unfortunately those that are making the the most negative impact are generally those suffering from it the least.
Bom dia Maarten, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts with us. We really do identify with your thoughts and philosophy. We also aim to be as resilient as we can be. We've found our local village to be so welcoming and generous with their time and produce, also their knowledge and experience when it comes to growing and pruning fruits and vegetables. We also enjoyed your take on the psuedo hippy stuff (bless 'em). Liane and I are in our mid to late 50's and we would like to see out our days here. Our children are all up and away (for now) that said, we think in a short period the stuff will hit the fan and they'll need some place to be safe and secure. We hope we can offer that to them. Yes it is hard work, yet it is very gratifying. Thank you.
Thank you. All makes perfect sense and I'm sure you and your family will thrive in this environment.
Most inspiring , I wish you and your lovely family all the very best for your future. Hugh.
Bravo in this honest and straight to the point about this subject! I respect your words and views and how you look to the future of your family and not have closed a closed mind about it!
Loved it! It seems I'm hearing myself in so many things you said! Thank you for sharing
Yes!
Thank you for your talk, we agree with everything you say. We have a small Quinta in The Sao Mamed Serra's near Portalegre and have been In Portugal for over 28 years, we are English ,but from Kenya originally. Making a living is very hard here and as you say we have to learn from the resilience of the Protugese. But it's worth the freedom and healthy living , both for us and the planet. Keep it up.
The algorithm suggested this and before I got half way through I subbed and liked. Thank you. Your foundational values seem solid. Looking forward to watching you build a future for your family, the land, and community.
I am one of your subscribers living in Jamaica 🇯🇲 and as the Jamaicans say … “nuff respect” … “bless up yourself” … I agree 100% with what you expressed. Take care of yourself, your family and your community and I’ll keep watching… ❤️😄
This expression of your opinions with no holes barred has actually made me want to watch your videos more! It has made me think about my impact on the planet and I'm sure many others will feel the same.
Huge respect to you and your family.
Bravo Marten, your walk the talk is well addressed. Thank you for your and Leas willingness to share your experiences. A weekly destressing reminder of what is important in life for a family and humanity. Thank you for setting the context of awareness and responsible behaviour. You and nature fucking wins. ❤️ much love to you and yours.
I really appreciate the backround and motivations talk. As a portuguese, I'm proud that you chose this country to live in. May we all learn to be more resilient. Salutations from Faro 💚
It's good to hear your story Martian. You are speaking from your heart and that can only be a good thing, I feel. The best of luck in growing your homestead. Love all your video's 👍😉🇮🇪🍀
The truly healthy lifestyle you and your family are living and sharing with many who care to watch is a super blessing not just for you and your family but it inspires those of us who desire and do the same.
Be blessed and stay safe with your precious family!
Thank you for your living story
You are right. The world was conducted to this insane stage and we don't see political leaders comited to change this way.
I have 68 years, I live in a big city in Portugal, and if I could I will return for my lands in Norte of the country
Your project is encouraging to me
Thank you.
Antonio, do not let your age stop you from doing what your heart wants. If your health is strong enough to do the work then return to your land in El Norte. I am almost 80 and I will be moving to the country side the end of this year. I have the skills and the will and have learned to work with a bad back. We are here to live well according to our conscience and hope for the world. Perfection is not required.
@@realcalgal1150 Yes, I don't give up on my dreams.
Fortunately I'm healthy and I can risk new projects.
I am in a process of building a small house to live in the north of the country, at least in spring, summer and autumn, in the middle of nature, but close to essential amenities.
This depends on the bureaucracy of municipal authorities.
Thank you, be happy.
nice to see the directness from holland. i watch this episode for the 3rth time i think, and this is what makes your channel different and intresting.
Happy to hear it resonates with you :) It can be scary to share some of our believes with how polarized the internet is these days, so your comment is encouraging
Maarten I think I have been following your videos virtually since they started this was the one I have enjoyed the most. I frequently asked myself how you came to be where you are. Now I know. And I empathize with your views and most probably would be doing something similar myself were I 50 years younger! I wish you and the family every happiness ans success in building lives for yourselves there. I will continue to follow your day to day activities with much increased interest now I know all this about you. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for following our journey from the start. We hope to share lots more in the future. Cheers, Maarten
Again, I add how wonderful to hear and see you say what it is you are doing and why! I do appreciate you both and what you are doing. Love to you all.
Thanks, Maarten. Brilliant! And I am glad to hear more of your and Lea's background, and mindset.
I agree with all of it. All of it.....
I tend toward history et al, and as you were speaking, I was flashing back to immigrants coming to the US in the 1700s.
"We need to get out, and we choose 'there' in hopes of a better chance." The learning curve was vertical. You learned to do and make and fake what you needed more than you ever thought you could do.
And you always tried to see that your children had the best upbringing and options that you could provide.
But you do the best that you can in the time you are in for yourself and your family, and the like-minded community around you.
And yes, the world, as we know it now, is dying.... Or at least changing so drastically that we would not recognize it in a few decades. . But people will continue to survive. The losses will be tremendous....
At 70, I cannot start over. But I can do what I can as long as I can.
Thanks for sharing this. Best to Lea.
Thanks for sharing. I am aware people have done before us, but there is more work to be done in the future. This hopefully doesn’t come across as if we don’t appreciate the work already done in the past.
Thank you Maarten. Well worth staying to the end of the video and continuing to watch you channel. Much respect to you and Lea.
Ola! Great job. I love that you are able to so clearly express your thoughts. My husband and I have been watching your channel since the beginning. I am a horticulturist and my husband a mechanic, so we watch many of your struggles on the land and actually know the answer already. You both figure it out and make the best of what you have. Congrats on your journey. Because of you have have begin sharing our journey. Maybe sometime when you get chance you will take a look.
Thanks again for sharing. We love watching your family grow.
Have a wonderful day,
Leslie and Alan
One of the most impactful youtube video i have seen, if not the most... I live in an island which is becoming congested. Its a shame that i do not have the resources to finance myself to do what you are doing. But i am proud to say, that i am planting stuff to somehow do away from the food grid, little by little, and at least reduce wastes caused by food packages...keep it up guys
One of the most honest and truthful talks I have seen in a long long time which also recognizes the issues with the way many view this sort of lifestyle.
Exept that there were no truth i his delusional speech
@@annashealthylifeeverything8583 So you're an anti vaxer then?
@@oldbloke204 so you are antilife then?
@@annashealthylifeeverything8583 So is that a yes then?
You really should look at the numbers and not all the social media bs on this topic.
Grow up.
You have no idea what you are talking about. I don't like having conversations with stupid people
A genuine standing ovation; I follow your project from time to time with interest
FANTASTIC! ! Finally someone has the balls to speak out and give the real reasons for being in Portugal and saying what some of us believe to be the reasons for moving to such a beautiful place that doesn't need to be changed to upbeat new life's but reverse back to past farmers ways that could teach us all a thing or two about survival on how to build now for a better future and not to ruin it by modern demands of quick services and distant buying. Congratulations and good on you for speaking out and sound greatly put 😊 your children have a very lucky and profitable future in front of them, of how you are providing for them now guiding their later movement to carry on your folocity if they want to. Well done ! We have watched everyone of your videos but this one made us smile and feel every word you said 🖒
Maarten, your passion is infectious & the life you and Lea are making for yourselves and your children is enviable. I wish you both the very best and that you overcome and manage with all that life throws at you. You remind me of the saying:
"If all the animals on the planet disappeared, man would die off. However, if all humans disappeared, animals would thrive".
Man and greed is the planet's greatest enemy.
Bon courage amis....🥰
Best video you have made! Everything else you do comes off the back of these convictions👏🏽 I watched to the very end and agree wholeheartedly with everything you said.
This might have been a different video from what you usually do but so import and I really appreciate you being so honest and transparent. And I will for sure stick around in the future as well. Thank you!
Bom dia, thank for sharing your thoughts. You should do it more often! I’ve been watching and admire Your decision for a while. Abraço de uma portuguesa a toda a vosa família!
Thank you sooo much for being an authentic, real, intelligent, resourceful and honest human being. You and your family are helping me regain my hope in some humans.
I enjoyed you opening up and giving us viewers your background and stand on things. I may not agree with a lot of what you said but I
defend your right to say it.
Thank you for sharing! It is the same here in the States. I so admire people like you who adapt yourself and look for opportunities to problem solve and get stronger to deal with living. Keep that faith in yourself, your family, and your community and you will be ok. Be well.
Bravo.👏👏👏👏 Thanks for having the courage to say what needs to be said. 🙏🙏🙏
What a fabulous rant. I agreed with everything you had to say. Keep positive, keep learning and wishing you all the very best....
Thanks so much. Greetings from Cape Town, I do love your philosophy and I am making plans to start my own little homestead/farm in my ancestral village. Going back to my roots and their way of life as much as possible is my aim. With you all the way!
Greetings from a fellow African. Good luck!
Thanks to share your ideas and the way you decided your new track. Congratulations and all the best and wish you succeed in your journey. The world is at the stage you have clearly mentioned. 👏👏👏
What a refreshing video, much respect Maarten. You have articulated much of what we feel. The move that you made to a simpler but harder life reflects a similar move my own father made 65 years ago, your political perspective is similar to my own, and I too was a postman ! We are motivated to make a move to Portugal 🇵🇹 too, inspired by the belief that Portugal has a society that values more than the greed and self interest is see in post brexit Britain. I was pleased to see PCP flags on the streets around the Castelo Branco district in February and March, that to me reflected class consciousness among the local people. I too was appalled to see a Covid sceptic UA-camr expressing his nonsense a couple of months ago.
Wow - thank you, Marteen. I feel your frustration. I am in CA but am too surrounded by far too many virus deniers. It's been heartbreaking and disappointing. I appreciate your very informed opinion. I admire your lifestyle. Thank you!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us, the planet would have a future if people decided to face the truth and had the integrity to do something about it.
Bravo - well said . I enjoy watching you build your new life. You and your family are an example for all of us.
Really enjoyed this video, I am here for the personality as much as I am here for the gardening or land reviving content. I feel that your personality hasn't always come through very much in prior videos and glad to see you found the right way to step forward in a passionate way. Your desire to learn skills so you can be more resilient does resonate with me, it reminds me of the renaissance man approach that I was first exposed to via the early retirement extreme book. Might be worth taking a look at it. It boils down to being skilled across many areas vs being a super specialist in 1 thing and needing to rely on others for everything else.
I've got 4 children myself, they are adults now. We taught them to think for themselfs through their growing up. I also adviced them to think global. So they all have studied and live their lifes now in Portugal, Colombia, Italy and Belgium. I'm happy they live their own life and not what you are supposed to do. Maarten goed uitgelegd, ik sta achter je man. En van deze zijde geen gezweef in de gedachten maar realiteit. Thanks for sharing these words with us.
I am one who watched right through to the end Marrten (sorry about spelling of your name) and I commend you for your choices. I was surprised to read you were in my home country for a year, though I am in the South East of Wales, hope you had a good experience when you were both here. Love the channel, really enjoying watching the four of you progress. Keep up the great work. John 👍
No worries about the spelling, my parents clearly didn’t think I’d leave the Netherlands when they picked a name haha (it’s spelled Maarten). I cycled all the way from the Netherlands (plus a ferry ofcourse) so I had the privilege to enjoy the beautiful nature your country has to offer.
As an old man in my 70s it is great to see you speaking out for self reliance. Keep it up! You are succeeding at doing a positive thing that will ensure your families survival and be a role model for your wee ones. Actually, the two of you will make it so you children will do well. You may not be happy with certain things that you try out but that comes with growing and homesteading as I've seen from others all over North America and Europe. I'm doing some of the things that you're doing in my own backyard. Must be my Flemish ancestry cuz I don't think there's any Dutch in me ancestors Tree of Life. Yep you're one of the Dutch who are/is much!
Thank you for saying what so many of us are thinking Marteen, and I so laughed when you spoke about the enlightened misaligned chakras! People really need to wake up and get a grip, and see the bigger picture. We are now living in a very very unstable world and the world we knew is disappearing fast! I'm in London, planning on leaving and aim for Portugal, but can't just yet as I have obligations and it's a retirement dream. I want to be self sufficient too and not depend on a government to feed me. Fingers crossed I will make it!
Thank you I watched your channel. You said some things that has been on my mind in the last few weeks. I always enjoy your sense of humour about things.
Well done., Marteen! This from an 84 year old homesteader for most of my life. I saw in the 1950’s where we were headed, and have tried since then to live in a way that had the least impact on our earth. I have had to be happy with that effort, but unhappy with the effect that my efforts have had on others. My three children at least are trying also, and have the skills and knowledge to grow most of their own food. I will have to be content with that!
Fantastico video.
I am so happy to follow your channel and your journey.
If I liked and respect you and your family before, now I admire too.
I am glad you spoke the way you did.
I really enjoyed your talk. I hardly knew anything about you two and now I have such respect because you are highlighting a reality of where our world is heading to. Big hug to you both.
Amazing Marten i am so impressed .
I have been watching you, since the very first vlog, always liked But never comented anything, but today i had to say something to you.
Well done ! I am so agreed with you ! Its about time people starts to see the reality .
Well done and stay on your believes .
I realy admire you guys.
I feeling proud to be Portuguese and people like you have choosen my country to live the so right and trully way you do.
All the best😊
Ana (portuguese 58 y old living in Norway the last 30 years planning to come back soon for also a more trully and sustainable life)…
Thank you, Marteen! You really put my thoughts into eloquent and powerful words. I've been enjoying your videos having decided I'm heading for a similar way to yours right before I went down with my second burnout. I'm still recovering at home and your videos give me hope and confidence I will manage the plan I started a decade ago but lacked courage. I appreciate you and Lea's thoughts and values a lot- they have become rare these days- and Puck is a constant source of joy for me :)
Thanks so much for speaking up. How impressive you are; everything you said makes total sense and the truth of where we are today globally. I admire you, your family, good job.❤️👍
Well said. Thank you for your heartfelt comments. You have all my admiration for your willingness to lie out your beliefs. May your life and family continue to bring you all happiness.
Hi! Let me start by saying that I love your channel, and you have a beautiful family and I love to see people like you moving to Portugal. Good people! About this particular video, my comment is not a criticism or an attack on anything you said. We all make our own path, and maybe there is no right or wrong. I've disagreed with a part of it, and agreed with another. I agree with your goal and general purpose of it. I disagree on, let's call it, the methods you invoked to justify the "right path". I noticed some contraditions on your thoughs, specially about the vaccines (specially contrasting to when you said you joined the working class team. In a sentence those who won more with the vaccine are not the people, but the multimillionaire companies behind it). It won't be possible for me to explain it here, since is a complex subject, but maybe one day we could develop our thoughs. We all should join forces and despite our differences we should be united in this land of ours. It is good to get to know you a little bit more (we have similar goals). Fortunately there are more and more families coming to central Portugal, living off grid or not, each with different ideas, but all with the purpose of a better future, and it is good if we cross knowledge and help each other (I'm also not a person up to the pseudo-spirituallity sh*t, like you also make notice that you're not either). Maybe one day we have the chance to meet. I would love that (I also have a little kid about the age of yours, and it would be even greater for them to be able to interact, since we all have the same goals). Thank you for sharing this video and be honest about yourselves.
My thoughts precisely. Thanks for your comment.
👏👏👏 you are in the right track ! You learn, you teach your kids skills that will be so valuable for them whatever lifestyle they choose and your land is giving back all the hard work you both do. Keep going, keep being resilient .
Having just watched and listened to this video Maarten, You have Cath and my respect and gratitude for your honest and direct share of your values and reasons for your and Leah's choice. Refreshing and so full of wisdom. Admire and agree with you (apart from the vax) Cath was trying the same thing for the same reasons in the Pyrenees in the 70's. She left with her two very young children because "it was like living with a bunch of boy scouts, playing by a bonfire" She tried again in the 80's in Wales but relationship was not good and she fled with her children her life and what remained of her sanity. Circumstances play a big part in what we can choose but the biggest and most rewarding is taking risks for what we believe. Your foresight and humble hearts, love for the future for your family and the planet is wonderful. We wish for you continuing joy, fullfillment and peace. Cath is 70 now and lives to her upmost with the same values and belief that she had from a young teenager. Seen the changes for the worse happen which she was outcast and ridiculed for siteing. Doomsayers say alot but not all Do.! Bravo again to you and Leah ✌ Watching from the tropical weather of heavy rain to full on heat numerous times a day...Wales! 🤔 👍 People probably not interested 🙄 in this, my comment but just sharing, that with belief in your reasons for choices helps fortify the like minded and anyone who doesn't feel empathy has the freedom to disagree. Respectfully, hopefully!
Keep the faith - you are healing and nurturing where you can. Thank you for sharing and for being true to your values. Your children are lucky to have such good examples of how to live on this hurting planet.
I admire you and your wife for having the courage to do something about your beliefs keep it up what others say don't matter live your life your way good luck stay safe
Thank you for this video. It was clear and lucid. I guess whatever one chooses to do with their lifestyle and its impact on others must be genuine. There is no room for pretence. At the very least, if you are a ‘total consumer’, don’t pretend to be something else, but you are adversely affecting the world.
If you are a ‘lifestyle groupie’…..well that is generally pretty transparent and ultimately leads to failure in the fairly short term.
For those committed to changing our patterns of consumption and lifestyle permanently, it is the toughest path to follow. But it is the most socially responsible and viable one.
And for those like me, all we can do is regret not seeing the early signs in the late sixties when we were still young enough to have personally changed our trajectory.
You have my admiration for both the choice and the effort required in a truly reinvented life.
Thank you for saying what you did.. I admire your thoughts and lifestyle.. It may be hard at time's but you will have a happyness in life that many of us could never dream off. Sending my best wishes to you and your family.
Thank you for this! keeping it real, thank you for the reminders. you guys are so inspirational!
Continue assim fiel aos seus princípios, e obrigado por escolher o meu país para viver a vida que almeja e para educar os seus filhos. All the luck of the world
Thank you for sharing your story. It was thought provoking and I loved the way you spoke about the future of your children, offering a different way of living, whilst still preparing them to function in today's reality. Blessings, -Kate
Geweldig goed verhaal, Maarten!, Even though you may feel like a doomsayer, your integrity and heartfelt emotion is contagious. I would buy a pot of ‘Doomsday Maarten’ honey anytime. I think it would make a great brand.
I respect you both even more!!! I was listening carfuly to Leah in her ironical tone 😊 and now YOO are out in the open! I agree with every word and think you are brave and realistic as well. 🙏
Bedankt Maarten voor je speech. Het wordt de laatste jaren steeds duidelijker dat de huidige manier van leven eindig is. We vernielen de planeet steeds sneller. De stap om uit deze vicieuze cirkel te stappen is echter behoorlijk groot. Ik vind het knap dat jullie dat gedaan hebben en wat jullie tot nu toe bereikt hebben! Succes!
Thanks Martin. Your channel is fascinating.
Yours as well! I watch both of you!
I loved this from start to finish !! Ty had a big smile my face at the end. You have a beautiful family and I'm so glad like us you've chosen Portugal till you die. Enjoy everysingle moment making beautiful memories. Ate la proxima ☮️💟💪
Although I agree with many of your sentiments and I'm not going to mention Bezos, I really think Amazon itself is saving a lot of wasted energy and unnecessary trips. I can't count the number of wasted trips to UK hardware stores trying to find something before having to give up and ordering online. US stores are an improvement with a much wider selection but sometimes a longer drive. How many cars have been taken off the road because you can just sit at home and order from Amazon? Still undecided if we are going to end up in the South of France, Galicia or Portugal, but hopefully in the next year or two. Most of us can't change the world but we can still make a small difference and I enjoy watching you and family doing what you can.
What a wonderful video, and explanation of your thoughts, your life. Thank you, Maarten, for your honesty. It's so refreshing in today's social media. I love your channel ever more! Bravo! 👏🌞🌈
What a pity that you framed all the people who live their lives in a different way you do. Also for critical, awake people it seems you have a lot of judgements. Loved to see you building your place in Portugal, but now it feels like something came in between and makes it difficult for me to keep watching you. Wish you all the best.
See you 👋👋
@@ourportuguesehomestead how disappointing! Mr self-righteous. Your channel suddenly makes me feel sick.....
@@philp8134 bummer 🤷♀️
It was a privilege, encouraging, and meaningful to hear you share about what you are doing, why you are doing it, how you see the world, and how you and your wife will proceed going forward. I am an almost 70 year old first generation Polish American and teaching University level European History - still teaching actually. I admire and appreciate what you and your wife are doing. ~~~~~ You give me hope in this difficult and problem filled world we inhabit, where the deaf and blind lead the deaf and blind. I hope there are many more like you, I hope many of you find each other, I hope for your children's sake and my grandchildren's sake you can change the world. ~~~~~ Even to change a small part of the world will be a good and great thing. May you all be well and have strength for the journey.
Loved your talk on fossil fuel. We here in America are struggling with the Gov ineptness to understand what they are doing is killing our way of life. I am 80yrs old and cannot do anything but pray saner minds will prevailed. Thank you I applaud you for speaking out!
Reality check: there are no green energy sources.
Well done. Good luck with settling into your Portuguese community, with preparing your children for what may come, and acknowledging the truths about the climate. I applaud you.
Bravo Marrten! Being in the winter of our lives (68 & 74) I have regrets about some of our past choices. However we live a low key life in the countryside in Brittany France & do our best to grow our own, compost everything & save water in an underground tank which we pump to water plants in the summer . We have frugality down pat from choice as well as for economic & environmental reasons.
I think it takes a lot of courage to do what you have both done. Continue to follow your heart ❤
Geweldig verhaal.
Ik ben 59 jaar, en werk al mijn hele werkzame leven als verpleegkundige.
Ook gedurende die vreselijke covid periode, waarin ik dingen heb meegemaakt, die ik niemand toewens.
Ik heb zelfs mensen gehad die terwijl ze stervende waren nog steeds ontkenden dat covid bestond.
Ik ben zo blij met jouw nuchtere en niet zweverige verhaal.
Jullie video’s maken mij blij, omdat ik ook de moeilijke momenten zie, waarin ik mijzelf zo herken.
Ik geniet ervan om in mijn kleine tuin nu ook wat groenten te kweken.
Maar als ik het allemaal over zou mogen doen, zou ik toch andere keuzes hebben gemaakt.
Ik voel mij langzaam leeglopen, en ik moet nog zo lang werken!
Een hele lieve groet van mij,
Hetty uit Veenendaal.