Course overview

Have you ever dreamed of living off-grid but you haven’t a clue where to start? Then we have just what you are looking for.

Join Ellis for a no-nonsense practical guide to sustainable off-grid living. This is a 4-day hands on experience where  you will learn the basics to get you started on your dream.

Over the 4-days topics covered will be:

• The pros and cons of different energy (solar, wind, hydroelectric)
• How to design and install a basic solar energy system – learn about what you need, best places to purchase, how many panels, different types of batteries, inverters and chargers.
• Water management – where to find it, how to store it, water pumps, etc
• Eco-building – learn tips on how to build simple structures using the wood and mud available on your land. You will learn how to make a rammed earth mud wall (be prepared to get muddy) and different options for toilets eg dry compost toilets, sceptic tanks etc.
• Land management  – learn some basic tips on growing sustainably including creating compost and growing techniques.

What’s included in the price?

We want everyone to benefit from this course and are  therefore offering it on a sliding scale from 320€ minimum to 550€. Pay whatever you can between these two amounts.

• 20 hours of practical hands on guidance (see above for course overview)
• Opportunity to ask as many questions as you need throughout the 4-days
• Shared accommodation
• 3 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 3 dinners (all vegetarian or vegan)
• Tea and coffee throughout the day
• Film night
• Outdoor swimming pool (unheated)
• optional yoga

Please note the course begins on Friday at 10am and Ends on Monday at 4pm. 

If you would like to stay at our venue longer then you can book additional nights for 35€  per person per night (you can either make your own food or eat with us for a small charge). Please let us know if you decide to do this when you book.

We are off-grid and if we have many grey days you might need to take showers or heat up the water on the fire. This is all part of off-grid living.

What you will need to bring

• walking boots
• work gloves
• work clothes
• pen and notebook

Air Transfer

We can arrange airport pick up for an additional fee. The nearest airport is Faro.

More about Ellis

Ellis has been building for over 40 years. He had a small building business in the UK before moving with Camilla, his wife, to Portugal in 2016, where they bought 6 hectares of land which had only one ruin on it and no water bore-hole or electricity. Ellis was able to access water through a water mine in the rock, design water storage and he set up a solar power system.

Ellis renovated the ruin by cutting out windows in the thick mud  walls and adding a roof and an extension which he built using rammed earth, this building is now our yoga shala. As well as other temporary structures he has also built a passive house which consists of one rammed earth wall and three insulated walls.

Their initial plan was to run retreats on their land, however when covid lockdowns hit in 2020/21 their plans changed and prompted them to focus more on growing vegetables and planting fruit trees. This is still very much in its infancy stage, however they were able to live off the veggies from the garden for the entire summer of 2022!

What you will discover is that Ellis is an encyclopedia of knowledge which will be very beneficial to you. He is constantly being asked to run a course for people so he can share his knowledge, and here it is!  We hope you can join us!

 

For enquiries and to book

email info@ruralescapesportugal.com or WhatsApp Ellis directly +447767795999