A piece of land, self-sufficient living, chickens, fruit trees, and a vegetable garden. Living together with like-minded individuals, focusing on what truly matters. For many, this remains a dream or a passing thought. But Mirande and Michel Nijland have actually taken this step.
(Please note that this text is translated by Open AI as I write my all my peas in Dutch)
I’m back in Portugal (yes!) and my camper is parked at Quinta do Vale Verde in the green and tranquil countryside. I’ve been following Michel and Mirande’s adventure for a while now on Instagram and simply couldn’t pass up the chance to visit their place. The couple left the Netherlands 1.5 years ago with the desire to live off-grid and be more connected to nature. They found their spot near the sleepy village of São Fiel.
The 3 hectares of Quinta do Vale Verde are lush, pleasantly messy, and above all, a very pleasant place to be. Mirande and Michel are transforming the old traditional farmhouse into a biodiverse paradise for humans, animals, and plants. The property mainly features olive and fruit trees, but new trees, bushes, and ground coverings are being planted rapidly according to permaculture principles. Ponds are being created, chickens roam freely, and there’s a small vegetable garden.
Michel tells me that he never really found his way in the Netherlands. Since settling down at Quinta do Vale Verde, he feels like the pieces of the puzzle have fallen into place, like he’s finally found home. And he’s not alone. Despite Mirande and Michel starting out here alone and living in a tiny house, Quinta do Vale Verde has become a mini-village. You can camp here and pay with money or help out with whatever needs to be done. This week, I’m helping with pruning the olive trees.
There are campers here who stay for a day to enjoy the tranquility, but also people who intended to stay briefly and never left. It’s a lively atmosphere with many children, pigs, and chickens that want to be cuddled. You might expect chaos, but it works; everyone takes their responsibility and pitches in to make this place complete.
At Quinta do Vale Verde, money, status, or the next new car seem farther away than ever. The small farm is located on the mountain “Gardunha,” which means refuge. And that’s what Quinta do Vale Verde is to me as well. Everyone here is somehow seeking a safe haven. Searching for a life away from the hustle and bustle, away from status and ego, closer to nature with more time for family. Many find that here, or at least temporarily.
And yes, me too. I wake up to the sun and the birdsong, shower under a waterfall, and I feel more at peace here than anywhere else. Fellow resident Elsa surprises me in the morning with freshly baked sourdough bread that she bakes every day for whoever wants it. There’s a communal pizza lunch, and we eat and talk for hours.
Yes, this is what it’s really all about.
