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Urban Roots

Posted on by emma

Community Garden beginnings in Tortosendo

Outside the city of Covilha, the town of Tortosendo is developing an exciting grassroots initiative in conjunction with a primary school, a housing association, a youth group, and the local authorities to transform a piece of unused land into a community garden.

Quero Ser Mais project director, Antonia Silvestre invited Mount of Oaks to deliver a training session on the basics of Permaculture design.

The full day workshop included a presentation of permaculture principles to a large audience. The major of Tortosendo opened the event with an inspiring desire for this project to be a pilot for something that could awaken the notion of community participation.

A mixture of small group work and facilitating discussion about clever design principles proved for an interesting morning session….

In the afternoon the youth group connected to Quero Ser Mais, the group who will take responsibility for the initial design of the garden took part in several activities that would draw out their ‘needs’, ‘resources’, ‘limits’ and ‘next steps’.

We employed the technique of ‘world cafe’ to increase discussion and idea sharing…

One of the aims of the session was to inspire the youth to create the connections between their environment and simple ways they could improve it. We brought along many examples of ways they can transform waste, produce or ideas into something more useful!

The sessions were dynamic and fun. We are looking forward to working with this group again – when they come to Mount of Oaks for a hand-on experience in the garden.

Under Renovations

Posted on by emma

Transforming the communal kitchen!

First steps in any renovation project begins with designs and dreams – the hope to transform the communal kitchen has been germinating for close to 11 years for Barbara. FINALLY work began to remove the current roof……

The outside washing dishes area needed to be dismantled too before tackling the main roof….

We were really blessed to have good weather while we were undertaking the dismantling and erecting of the roof!

Carefully they began to removed the heavy and cumbersome concrete sheets….

And before too long – the roof was gone and the wall exposed to the elements.

Next steps included brick and cement work. We asked help from a very experienced local builder Carlos to come and guide the process of raising the walls and preparing for the new roof to go on….

  

To bring the cement and the bricks from the ground the lads set up a great system…

We are raising the height of the roof and adding windows to bring in more natural light…..

      

Carlos, and his helper Marco came for 2 days and then left the rest of the work to Barbara and Eric to complete.

After the brick work the wooden structure to support the roof needed to be created…and then one lovely sunny Friday piece by piece the roof went on…..

Danny and Stuart came for lunch and were on hand to encourage the process.

We celebrated the fact that we got the roof on and sealed before the rains. Currently while northern Europe experiences a severe cold snaps and snowy conditions, we have RAIN! Lots of beautiful, necessary rain.

And so the kitchen is on it’s way….many more snaps to come detailing the progress of the interior to come….

Movement Workshops

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This summer, a dear friend who lives nearby, Meline, will organize 4 one-week workshops….. on her bio-energy dance practice,
a holistic practice of the body-consciousness, of the body in movement, a simple and accessible tool for personal development and fulfilment.


An exceptional natural setting in the heart of Portugal, creates a peaceful and kindly environment, with a healthy and vegetarian food to accompany in the best conditions this process of inner change.

You will find all information about the content of the courses and logistics here:

http://melinealua.blogspot.pt/

THE DATES

from 23 to 30 June
from 8 to 15 July
from 19 to 26 August
from 9 to 16 September

for any further information you can reach Meline

melinalua4@gmail.com
00351/ 925 201 706

Sowing Seeds of Hope

Posted on by emma

On Sunday, we took part in a joint activity with the local village council and a new association we are members of called BioEco (Association of Organic and AgroEcological Agriculture). The idea was to make a call to action and invite people to help regenerate a section of the mountain affected by the fire last summer.

February 18th was the chosen date and we all met at the Tourism Point in the center of Alpedrinha at about 10am. We were a group of about 20 people and several children. Our ages ranged from 21 months to 83 years!!! We were a mixture of Portuguese and a diverse group of those who have made this region our home – ranging from eastern Europe and Israel, to France, America and Scotland.

We pilled into a couple of vehicles and followed the major, Carlos who was driving the tractor that was carrying the seeds. We drove out of the village and up as far as we could into the mountain……

The Junta de Freguesia of Alpedrinha provided seeds of forage grasses, of fast installation and high production, to cover the soil devastated already next spring.

We had literally begun our walk from the parking place to the point where the major would distribute the seeds, when we saw a farmer and his goat herd. This was a significant reminder of why we were preforming this action – the animals that inhabit these lands need food!

Carlos had explained to the group that the rabbits, wild boar, sheep and goats that normally feed in the mountain are having a tough time, especially as there has been a scarcity of rain thus far this winter.

Carlo and Annabella distributed the seeds….

…so we all had a bucket or a bag full of grass and grain seeds….

 

We got a quick description of the area that we wanted to cover. This was all land commonly owned by the village, and used by local shepherds in the summer months. After which we began to scramble all over the mountain to spread the seeds…..

 

Can you see the seeds flying from Marcia’s hand?

Everywhere signs of the burnt trees, black charcoal…….

…..and yet signs of hope spring up from badly burnt trees…..

The scale of the fires can be seen clearly from below, but when actually in the mountain, you can feel the the post-fire scars.

Yes, there is vegetation thankfully growing back – we were amazed to see and taste some of the edible wild plants, such as wild brassicas and sorrels. But nothing like at the rate needed to support the life up there.

We had a lot of fun as well as enjoying the views and spreading the seeds!

For the younger members of the team it was a real educational opportunity. Seeing the burnt carcass of an edible chestnut tree with a breadth as wide as my arm span shocked this little man. His dad was explaining that it was hundreds of years old left him quieter than usual.

Thank you to the village of Alpedrinha for providing the seed and the support. And thanks to from BioEco for sharing the idea – may we see more such civil society actions to protect and restore the local biodiversity of this region.

Now all we need to hope for it RAIN – it has been a very dry winter so far!

Monthly eco-market launches!

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After the success of the monthly markets that started last year, mostly hosted on the private lands of people interested in promoting the organic movement, a new more permanent eco-market was launched in the village of Alpedrinha on Sunday, February 11th, 10am – 1pm.

The group behind the organisation of the market are newly formed association BioEco. The mission of BioEco is to promote organic agriculture – both production and consumption. The association has several working groups, and the group in charge of the markets is working closely with the village of Alpedrinha.

The location of the market was in the center of the village, next to the Tourism Point – so perfect for people to pass by and check it out. Some of the villagers popped into the market after mass!!!

It was a great success, both in terms of the numbers of vendors and folks who came to buy their local products.

Not only veggies were for sale, also juices, jams, natural cosmetics, herbal teas and soaps, essential oils and much more….

  

The markets play an important function, not only economically, but socially too. The animation of music and face-painting on the eve of Carnival brought a real sense of celebration to the gathering.

Eric brought a stall with Mount of Oaks products and really enjoyed the experience and sense of community with the other vendors and chatting in Portuguese, English and German!

One of the broad aims of the monthly markets is to promote the growing of more organic produce in the locality – when farmers see that there is a genuine market for their produce the are more likely to plant!

Linda, who is a member of the association, and passionate seed saver and heritage seed propagator did a great job of sharing seeds from her collection.

BioEco were also promoting an action the following Sunday, sowing seeds on the burnt areas of the mountain – to provide food for the animals. (See the next blog for an update of how that went!)

The NEXT market is Sunday 11th March – if you are anywhere in the region – feel free to pop along from 10am – 1pm. But remember, bring your own shopping bags!

Camping Kitchen Complete

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The evolution of the camping kitchen has been a slow process! It began life as a curved strawbale wall, constructed as part of a natural building course in June 2016….

There were all sorts of ideas about what we could do with the wall…project films onto it or make a storage for the camping equipment were 2 suggestions. In the end we realised the need for an outside kitchen for the use of volunteers and people who come to camp. So, Ba began a design….

Then during the natural building course in April 2017 the foundations for the rest of the structure were prepared and the other walls of straw bales and cord wood went up……

So already by this stage MANY beautiful, creative, inquisitive hands had shaped the building. We used the kitchen over the summer, and people enjoyed it – but we knew it was not finished….

…it was missing a waterproof roof and the final lime wash for example.

In mid January work restarted – necessity of protecting the walls and the wood from possible rain was one of the reasons – and the second was WE needed to use it as the temporary communal kitchen!

Eric and Barbara began by removing the temporary tarp roof, treating the wood for bugs and then lime washing the walls – keeping busy on COLD days!

Then came the new roof – which needed to be cut into various shaped to fit rather unique shapes!

And the final pieces on the top required Ba to climb with a make-shift harness and surf on the roof!!

Marcia and I removed all the contents of the stone kitchen – taking some to the camping kitchen and storing the rest in what was the old guest room. We celebrated the achievement of the move with a well earned cup of wine.

We are enjoying the space a lot – in the mornings the sun warms cold faces as we prepare breakfast, or wash dishes. The place is cute and we are looking forward to it being used by guests and volunteers later in the year.

Next big project is the renovation of the stone kitchen which starts this week……

Friends help to manage our forests!

Posted on by emma

We have some pretty huge mimosa trees growing at either end of the land and while they remain we cannot plant other trees around them. One of our main missions this month has been clearing and cutting, preparing posts and making wildlife corridors!

We had two days when we invited local friends to come and help out – we were so grateful for the professional skills and the joyful way that peeps interacted with the forests and eachother!

Many of the huge mimosa’s have been there for years – and some had become so big they were pretty dangerous!

Apart from the chain saws, we cleared and made huge piles of the tree tops – which we will bury with earth at a later date.

Of course, no work day is complete without a yummy lunch and a good old chinwag!

There will be a surplus of wood for keeping us warm next year, and lots of material to build temporary structures for shade in the summer. What a blessing the mimosa can be, as much as it is an invasive species!

As part of the design for the land, the forests are a really important source of material, home to birds and wildlife, fungi and a place where beautiful soil accumulates. We will be planting more trees, such as chestnut and oaks, and bushes such as strawberry tree in the Autumn.

For now, thanks to all those who helped!

Natural Building Courses 2018

Posted on by emma

We are delighted to announce the dates for the Natural Building Course that Barbara will teach in 2018. 3 exciting course will be located at Keela Yoga Farm.

 

Dates for the Introduction to Natural Building Courses at Keela Yoga Farm

  • 9 – 16 June
  • 1 – 7 July
  • 4 – 11 August

The courses are designed as an introduction to natural building. Participants have the opportunity to learn and experiment with a variety of different building techniques which will then be used in a practical setting on a real building.

There is a progression in the teaching and practical methods that allow participants to grow in confidence as the course continues. This course is designed with the ‘non-professional’ builder in mind and is aimed as an introduction course.

An introduction to natural building will be facilitated by Barbara Leite; a pioneer of the Mount of Oaks community since 2006. She has over 9 years experience in Permaculture Design and Natural Building, with all the mistakes and successes that go with starting from scratch!

All courses will be held at the off-grid permaculture community Keela Yoga Farm, in Central Portugal. Course participants will have the opportunity to practice daily yoga, meditation and other related activities held on site. A day trip to visit some natural buildings at Mount of Oaks community is also offered on the day off.

 

Come and learn about:

…Gravel Foundation, french drainage and stem wall with gravel bags

 

…Strawbale walls

 

….Adobe bricks and light earth slabs

 

……Wattle and daub walls

 

….Cob with glass bottles and cordwood,

 

……Earth and lime plasters

 

….Lime-wash painting with natural pigments.

What can you expect from this course? 

  • The course will consist of daily theory classes, with introductions to all of the aforementioned building techniques using local and natural materials (A complete PDF manual will be provided at the time of registration). However, this is predominantly a hands on learning course and it will mostly be practical in order for participants to really get a feel for each material and technique.
  • Participants will gain the ability and skills to design and build their own small natural build.
  • Three meals a day including tea, coffee and snack breaks.
  • Daily Yoga Classes
  • On the day-off, an optional day trip to the Mount of Oaks community will be included in order to see some of their existing natural buildings, have a tour and lunch for an extra cost of 15€/person.

There is no need for any previous experience as a builder, an engineer or an architect. (If you do have previous experience, please come with patience because there might be others who don’t).

We expect to learn with each other and have a unique experience of life within a community setting. During the course we will work together, eat together.

This course is limited to a maximum of 8 students in order for participants to have maximum practical experience throughout the week.

Cost:
500EUR – 8 day Natural Building course including camping (in your own tent or van), 3 delicious vegetarian meals daily (seasonal and locally sourced) and daily yoga and meditation
450EUR – 3 EARLY BIRD places for the first 3 people to register
Caravans, tents and tepees are also available for hire. Click for options at Keela Yoga Farm for accommodation
Please complete the application form to book.

Course participants will learn a lot of different building techniques, and if you wish to put these into practice and perfect your skills further, you can contact us about staying on after the course as a volunteer at Keela.

 

Kitchen Renovation

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For those of you who have visited here, the common kitchen will be a familiar sight and the center of much of the activity on the land.

As it stands today, it is in much better shape than when Barbara, and a group of other pioneers found it in the winter of 2006!

Then it had a hole in the roof….Eddie was able to poke right through!

the floor was a mud bath and it needed a chimney…..which they made from an old oil drum banged by hammers into shape!

shelves and storage was improvised in the more creative ways….

All of those things were sorted and if you go look at the old blog posts from the ‘old’ blog, posts from the early days, you will find images of what it looked like in different seasons…..

However the NEWS is that we are working on renovating the inside and putting on a new roof! Work started last year, taking everything out, and make a temporary kitchen outside the building. Then the plastering of the walls, with cob, for which we had some french female help!

Barbara worked on many versions of the design for the inside – and came up with ones, she and we are happy with. Work on the roof will hopefully start next week.

The plan is to have a pantry area, as well as storage for bulk items, a sink inside and tiles on the floor! It will be a massive transformation for the space, and the uses it can have.

If you would like to contribute towards the costs of the building materials, please drop us a line, or follow the instructions here. We are using as much reclaimed materials, building with pallet wood for the doors of the cabinets (which Ba will make), and bits and bobs we have picked up on the way – however the wood we need to buy and the roofing materials are not cheap – so every little helps!

We will keep posting updates on the work to keep you up to date!

Thank you, much love, all at the Mount of Oaks!

Permaculture Experience Programme

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We have launched the dates of 5 blocks for the coming year, where folks can come and learn theory and practice the skills needed for off-grid living, informed by permaculture principles.

 

Dates for the 6 week blocks are:

Block 1: 26th Feb – 8th April

Block 2: 23rd April – 3rd June

Block 3: 25th June – 5th August

Block 4: 27th August – 7th October

Block 5: 15th Oct – 25th November

 

For the full volunteer pack follow this link to a PDF. There is a description of what you will learn in each block.

During the PEP you will be immersed in learning about sustainable and simple living; practicing skills connected to the garden and the structures; opportunities for consulting the resource library; chances for personal development in the midst of a loving community – and free time to enjoy the interesting walks, avail of the growing network of like-minded people in the area, or simply take a step out of your day to day routine. Our educational philosophy is a mixture of us sharing our knowledge, formally and informally, depending on the task – but we are often about ‘learning by doing’.

You will be required to fill in the application form and the liability form.

Get in touch for if you have any queries after reading the information pack!

We are excited to host these programmes this year!