#66 Where does the Water go?
May is a wet month so far, which is a good way to see how the water management is going to perform. I take the weekend off for a little road trip through Val Stura (not Val Maira as mentioned in video). I'm preparing the basement floor for the concrete slab, but a few more measures need to be taken to lead rain water away from the cabin.
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Music in this video: View by Steven Gutheinz
0:00 Road trip
3:37 Cleaning up and weeding
6:00 Breakfast in the rain
6:50 Working on the wall
9:42 Sending the chickens outside
11:45 Working on the wall
13:05 Unloading supplies
14:40 Talking about rain water inside
17:00 Drawing, explanation
19:48 Water system for the chickens
21:18 Building sewage pipes
25:08 Unloading sand
26:45 Compacting sand
28:22 Insulation
30:45 Intruder
31:17 A beautiful day
32:52 Finishing the wall
36:10 Next plans
38:02 Chickens first time outside
Martijn, here is a thought on the sketch you show at 18:02 with three cross sections. Obviously, it is none of my business but I couldn't resist chiming in. I live in Florida and am a landscape architect where water is typically at a higher water table/level and is always a consideration, even a problem at times. Response: consider digging as deep and wide as you can, even a foot below your finished floor elevation, and leave it open air with no gravel back fill (Key point). Air would then circulate freely and keep your building walls dryer and lessen wetness/mold on anything inside the room. Any backfilled gravel placed in the dug out open air trough, with no air circulation would never tend to dry out the existing building walls. I would even put a 4" concrete trough in the bottom, or gravel with a 4-6" "sock tube" (French drain) to more quickly drain the open air trough. You might even consider color darkened hydraulic mortar on a couple of feet of the rock wall above the finished floor level. Try to get the "drainage trough" to be half a foot below the finished floor in case you have a gully washer of a storm, which happens. You could slope or angle the dug out hillside with scrap rock and plant it to help prevent erosion. It is a lot of work but would result in a dry first floor, and a more stable existing dry stacked building wall all around. Leaves and such will build up over time so the ease of cleaning those out of the open air trough (Ideally concrete abutting the wall) every couple of years would be another consideration. Perhaps that sloped drainage is one of the reasons the builders first placed vertical stones in the floor for the cattle? I will enjoy your future labors, at a distance and thank you for sharing!
Do it once and do it right. Get a digger to be able to reach down to the right level and avoid having to do it again! Also you might consider a swale further up the hill to divert the ground water before it reaches the drain. You can also put heavy duty plastic sheeting up against the wall to further prevent water penetration while excavating the drain. It’s one of the hardest things in building to prevent rising damp/water intrusion, good luck with it mate 😊
If you can’t do with a machine do it by hand/arm labor and a shovel! That drain needs to go down to the bottom of your wall. A membrane should be put against the exterior wall down to the bottom. How do I know this. Because I lived through it! When a property is backed against a hill, you need to err on the side of caution. Remember nature is stronger than any of our buildings. The worst is the spring run off, not the roof! Good luck!
Agree. The plastic lining is essential
rubber pond lining up against the stone wall
I agree I had a earth breamed house water coming in through the walls was problems. Good luck
When you talked about putting soil on top of your gravel I thought no, it will wash down through the gravel and silt up the whole drain. You need a belt and braces solution here, a proper French drain with tube diverting the water, membrane and swales or berms stopping and spreading the infiltration of water above the building. Some really good advice here in the comments
🐘 Hi Martijn, did you know that your cabins are very near to one of the most iconic and important places for the world’s history? I’m not kidding, since Hannibal the Carthaginian passed over the alps with his elephants at Colle delle Traversette, which is right behind your place! Hope you can see this comment and maybe have a good hike up there! 🐘
The crossing location is contested? I've skied at val Cenis on the French side and I believe, north of MDs location and they say that is a potential crossing point too.
Yes there are different hypothesis, but recent studies suggest that the most probable is Colle delle Traversette 😊 that said, it doesn’t metter, it’s just cool to know that that’s happened somewhere near that cabins 😉
You absolutely have no idea how happy I get when I see a new video. And you absolutely have no idea how SAD I feel when it comes to a end ❤
same feelings
Me too. It's very satisfying and interesting
@@alessandrarocco6272 Do you know if the "Telegram me" comments are a scam?
Yes its scam!
@@rocktheroadtowembley Thanks! Hope everyone report it to get it removed!
Dig out some swales above the cabins, perhaps a meter apart to divert the flow from above that's adding to what you can't control (runoff from the roof, the water that falls close to the back wall). Divert those swales away from the cabin's base. At the very least, you'll be reducing the amount of water/moisture that any French drain could provide relief for.
Came here to say the same thing. You need to divert the water coming down the hill, so that the drain only needs to divert the amount between the diversion ditch and the house, not all the water coming down the hill above. Depending on the types of soil layers you have, the water will sink into the ground, so you need to grade the ditch to an appropriate slope so as to avoid seepage into the soil, but not so steep as to cause severe erosion.
Both you guys beat me to the suggestion but maybe all of us saying the same thing will give the group credibility so dig in some swales.
Totally agree with you guys. We have the same problem here with a large hill at the back of the houses, with the same solution.
@@Scotty3146 it depends on the drainage ability of the soil, for instance if you’re building on a slope that’s predominantly clay on the surface, it takes an awful lot of time for any surface water to drain to any significant depth at all. Any water stays on the surface, particularly in heavy rain. You’re engineer did the right thing taking the immediate soul conditions into consideration.
If you have the digging machine its worth it to try and stop the rush of water coming from the hill above that is directly hitting your house. Cliff and the others are correct . I did this a lot at my job . Divert all the water you can before it hits your structure. Love the videos just wanted to help but many have beat me to the comments.
Chickens 🐤dont want to go outside because they are very comfortable into the house you build for them🐥☺👍
Martijn, I'm will be 77 years next month. I have always loved repairing older buildings and building new buildings. At my age now, I can only work with volunteer organizations that allow me to help them in my limited way now because of age. I so look forward to your show on Sunday afternoons. May God keep you healthy, safe, and true to your integrity. Of doing things right because it is the right thing to do. Christ Peace my friend. Daphne
I think you will find water penetrates into the ground and forms a water table, so you need to reframe and imagine water coming up from below rather than penetrating from the surface. During wet times the level of the water table will get close to the surface. So your drain will need to be below the level of the floor to keep water from getting in the house. Gravity will always move water to the lower open space, and if you do not dig your drain deep enough, you will continue to get water inside.
Yes, the ground water creates pressure around the building
Just finished… you always thank us for watching….. thank YOU for posting!
Yes, basic hydraulics.
Where I live in Alaska we have many houses partially built into the mountain. I have a sump pump with a level actuator. The pit the sump pump is in fills with water and if it reaches a few inches below the top, the float rises up and turns the pump on. Mostly only need it in Spring.
and it is mandatory to put waterproofing outside between the walls and the ground, then the drainagе. It can be run wall by wall.
I love how you do everything very slowly, at your own rythm, without rushing things, meticulously, as if you had all the time in the world. It's really soothing.
Thank you Martijn. This vibrating silence, with all the great and meditative work you do. A great gift every week. What a delight.
What a great phrase "vibrating silence"....Thank you...exactly....🙏🙏🙏
You really have achieved so much, glad to see the Chickens finally stepped outside 😄
Chickens being chicken 🐓 😱
The chickens are fun to watch. 😊 that 39 minutes went by so fast! Great way to begin Sunday morning.
Awesome Video, I just wanted to say thanks for being one of the very few KZheadrs who knows how to do a proper Sound mix especially when it comes to power tools. I can just enjoy watching and not fear that a table saw will cut my ear off. Thanks.
That’s true mastership, right?❤
Hey Martin, when I got my chickens (or "chooks" because I'm Australian) they were only young and they learned the local birds warning calls. So when the local birds sound a warning, my chooks run under cover, it was fascinating to watch. That was 3 years ago and they still do it. When the small local birds make a certain sound , my chooks run for cover. It usually means there are crows about or sometimes larger birds of prey. Your chickens may learn these same signals from the local "prey" birds. Love your videos, been watching from the start, great innovation and progress, well done!!
Probably snakes as well in Australia, as well, i bet are a threat to chickens...I imagine snakes are not a threat in Italy...but wolves, foxes, and weasels would be....
@@dyer2cycle snakes will eat the eggs but not the chickens. I've never had a problem with snakes, so far...
Martijn, I always put on ‘The chickens have arrived!’ episode for the cat when we leave the house. She is quite entertained by it. Your vlog is a perfectly executed slow living experience. It’s like a meditation - a yoga of the soul. It’s easy to forget that you put as much effort into the cinematic process as the building process.
How can someone get so worried when seeing an intruder on someone's video thousands of miles away and then be super happy that the chickens went out for a stroll first time. It may not mean much to you but thank you for making these week after week.
Martijn, you need to install drainage further up the slope as well. French drains placed to carry water away from the house before water reaches your foundation will assist greatly. You’re going to get a load of water in the spring. I’m not sure why you’re not installing a sump pit as well. I look at all those mountainside homes you visit and none have a below grade living space, not that I’ve noticed anyway. There’s a reason for that and I think it’s because the water is so abundant. You’ll really need to cover all angles to ensure it doesn’t become a problem.
Yeah agreed. This basement level is too dark and a difficult project within the hillside. May be better off as a tool storage room than living quarters
Hey Martijn, we have a house in italy that had the same problem. First: with these old houses the problem is, that they are used to the moisture and will sometimes become instable if it is completely dried. But (luckily) even with a full drainage (up to 1 m below the bottom end of the house), you wont be able to avoid the moisture and fondensation fully. The design you drew will not help the situation sadly. You need to dig a lot further down, as I said, up to 1 meter below the bottom end of the wall. In Italy, you can sometimes rent something called 'ruspa', which can be manouvered on very steep ground. If you cant rent a sizeable digger, you have to do it hy hand (dangerous) or pay a professional to do it (expensive). But this little drainage system you designed wont solve the situation,I'm afraid 😢. Thansk for your awesome videos!!! I love them and watch them every week
interesting feedback and it does make sense. Hopefully he reads through the comment section, many youtubers do not.
If the water needs to be allowed to filter into the wall as a normal thing or you simply cannot keep the walls dry themselves, then just building a totally water protected inside cabin is the way to go, never mind losing 'all those lovely stone walls inside' - being damp free is necessary for your health.
@@veronicaroach3667 I was concerned about the amount of concrete inside. It will trap the moisture between the concrete and the walls; the worst scenario for old buildings
Yes is has to be super deep! Well below the foundation and dangerous. You need an air space for the water to dry out under your foundation floor. www.youtube.com/@RaisingVoyagers
La “ruspa” sarebbe una specie di “digger” in inglese, che viaggia con quelle catene invece di ruote. I’m sure the guys renting these tools out know him by now and will give him the best advice. Fantastic adventure, hope Martijn gets it right! Btw: in a Q&A Martijn mentioned, that he does read through the comments, and appreciated greatly the advice given. A truly wise man he is! ❤️
I was cheering so, when the chickens ventured out, I had tears in my eyes!! I raised a flock on an acre just south-east, on the outskirts of Phoenix Az. I loved them! I’m 75 and moved to an apartment- miss my chickens and goats - you keep me company now- the views are spectacular - and you are amazing ❤️
It is so beautiful to see the evolution of the nature with the different seasons. It's so beautiful when it's all green like this.
Right?! And the birch trees really pop out with the green background ❤
i live in the greek island of andros, and we have really similar building style, especialy in the vilages where i live. In the case of the water in the walls that toutch the side of the mountain, we make a covered ditch where is the building on one side and a suporting wall for the dirt on the other, the depth is best to go deeper than the lowest pont of your inside floor. The width of the void between it really doesnt matter, but its nice to feet a person so you can get in and cleen it in case. Also it doesnt matter if you want to cover it on top, if covered it could work even better, but not covered works just fine too. it basecly makes the building floating on top of the dirt. Also the supporting wall if covered could be made with concret, or something easy and fast. It is just to keep the dird from colapsing This way you do not have to fumble with gravel and drains, the ditches will be exacly how you showed you have planed. you could leave a point opend down hill where the water will come out, but you could do it with a pipe as well so it is less visible. about the digger not being able to dig so low, i belive you could do most of the work with the digger, and finish it by hand. It will be much more easy because the dird will not be as compacted, and also a bit wet by the rain, so it will help, i belive with 2-3 people with sovels will take about 4-5 hours. If you want any other advice feel free to ask. Sorry for my english, they are not very good.
Hello Martijn, I have been watching your channel for several months and I am always so amazed at not only the craftsmanship you so patiently create, but an excellent film maker as well. Thank you for documenting your journey. You bring such a meaningful message to those of us who don't experience the world quite like you do. I look forward to each and every film you create. You are an amazing artist and a true gentleman.
I love it that the chickens ventured out today and seemed so happy in the wider world. I hope that fox stays out. They can be quite determined sometimes.❤️🤗🐝
Marten is even worse than fox. Both lovely and interesting animals, but detrimental to smaller livestock.😢
Good morning from Kingston, Ontario Canada. Your music intro and drone over this most beautiful and scenic area is calming. I look forward to seeing you each week. You are a very talented young man in touch with nature. Great to see more of your paintings in the future. Good luck with your drain issues. Thank you for allowing us to follow your dreams. ❤
Hi Carol. I'm up the road in Sharbot Lake. I have two sons Martijn's age. I've been bingeing, knitting...
I would line the bottom of the trench with a perforated drainage pipe at the bottom, then fill the trench up with gravel, the side nearest the house of the drain, I would possibly consider using a liner, and I would suggest a soffit on the windward side, this will stop rain water that is dripping being blown between the drain and the house. Great job with the chickens, they bring some life to the place. Inside the house you may consider something we call tanking in the UK, it stops water penetration really effectively. If you find that you have time with the digger on later projects, a small pond might be cool. Really love this build and the care you have put into it,
lol , same thoughts , thinking of a pond liner maybe line the house side , think all this is trial and error or there a measurement for it ? i believe he mention the pond will be at the bottom ?
I wouldn't "consider" putting in a plastic liner along the trench wall closest to your building, I would most certainly do so. The liner also wraps underneath your slotted pipe. Absolutely necessary.
Regarding the interior walls… I'd recommend using pure sodium silicate or potassium silicate for this. These chemicals will form a waterproof seal that is breathable, preventing moisture from becoming trapped and deteriorating the mortar over time. In addition, they will chemically bond to the mortar and actually strengthen it by introducing soluble silica, sealing the micro-pores in the mortar and reducing alkali-silica reactions and efflorescence. Good luck there Martijn. Such an important step in protecting all your back breaking work there!!
Morning coffee and a walk with you in the beauty of the Italian Alps…makes my heart feel at peace. Thank you for the happiness 💜🦋
When I see the roof, I still think about the crane and that magical cinematic moment of the crane getting into action with the mountains as backdrop. Unforgettable.
Admirável incrível !😍👏👏👏
Eu amaria se possível podessimos entender a linguagem em português ?!🤗👏👏👏
Based upon the discoloration of the stone (rising up the wall), it appears the water is moving from below. In spring, snow melt and rain will infiltrate into the ground water and make the table level rise. A sump-pump buried deeper than the floor level is probably what you need more so than a French drain, but by doing both you will manage the spring seepage (pump kicks on) and French drain for roof run-off from heavy rains. Connect the sump-pump (with back-flow device) into the grey waste-water pipes you are laying.
I have but started to watch this week's edition, and again it feels like the highlight of my week, Martijn.
It IS the highlight of my week!
Martjin, Such balance is your life. The acceptance of what is. The integrity of working with nature. The storm, and the rebuilding of what was dessimated. Such is you with profound integrity. You simply show how to re connect with commitment and planning and what is doe able in your visionary of seeing these unique buildings not only survive but lived-in and function with the extremes of seasons. With my regards and great respect for your being and so driven. You have achieved so much and keep on doing so. Upwards and Onwards to you. Shaelene Read.
Not everything happens the way we plan them to be but if you live in a place like that nothing is impossible. Thanks for sharing the stunning sceneries!
It was nice to see the chicken exploring the outside, freely. Thank Martijn for sharing.
Thank you Martijn for petting your animals and giving them their time outside in nature. It will take some time to get used to their new home so please be patient with them and keep talking to them as they feel your care and affection as everyone of us does
Martijn, Just beautiful. Your collection of skills are many, my friend. I think that I got hooked on your videos for the beauty of your composition, framing and the amazing way you tell the visual story. You're a painter and a designer but you are also an amazing story teller. I saw the first few videos and binged until I caught up with your progress. This was another great one.
I agree. And the greatest skill of all is his patience.
The visual progress and variety of content in this episode was very satisfying to watch. The aesthetic qualities of this project are beginning to bloom like the leafing out of the Spring. Can't wait to see you cooking omelettes for your guests!
I always go 'awww' when your videos end, cos I love them so much. Highlight of the week for me. It was so lovely to see the hens finally brave enough to explore their wonderful new home outside of the coop. Good luck with the digger next week.
No thanks scammers, not interested.
You need some Roosters my Friend, 😊 thank you for sharing your journey❤😂😊
Learning as you build along.... That's how its supposed to be.... Just imagine the amount of knowledge you will have gained after this build! It's a joy to watch your videos, thanks
Seeing you work so meticulously reminds me of my father. A great lesson in life; do it well and it will stand the test of time. Mooi so Martijn!
You are the most diligent worker I believe I've ever seen. I have been watching you for more than a year-and-a-half. It is surprising how much you know about carpentry. And you picked out one beautiful spot on the mountain. I hope the best for you and your houses and I also hope there's no more wind storms. That broke my heart when I seen that. Anyway your favorite subscriber Scott Clark
Best part of my week is watching the video of your week, which always ends before I'm ready.
The Chickens...so hilarious...clucking to their own beat in life; Sleeping in, pecking at random stuff including each other, and then finally stepping out into their leafy surrounds. Thanks for the video.
I love that you take road trips and hike. I also love that you're working on the houses slowly and a little at a time. It's looking amazing. You're such an inspiration.
Hey mate. I am on episode 20 so far but I thought you probably read most comments from your latest video. I love what you are doing and the videos you produce. I have so much anxiety in life right now and your videos make me feel so relaxed and happy, so thanks. You seem like a really nice genuine guy too. Appreciate what you are doing. I am also kind of jealous too, I watch your videos and would love to do what you do but you are clearly so much more intelligent than me, also, I would not be able to because I have kids. Can’t wait to watch the rest of your videos and follow your life. I hope that explains how I feel and appreciate your videos. Can’t wait to see your progress :). Thanks!
Sometimes you need to step back, to be able to step forward! Much love and respect to you Martjin
As mentioned by a few already: you need to dig deeeep and you absolutely need to waterproof the upper outer wall. Otherwise that water will sit between the stones and the concrete walls with no where to go. And yes building water diversion further up the hill will greatly improve the situation generally. Back to the walls: in order to isolate them you obviously need access to it. Be very careful with the static aspect of such work, the entire house might become unstable. I’m affraid there is no ‘cheap’ solution to this problem. Get a local expert to support you, it’s essential!
This will catch most of the run off water.
Hi Martjin, my 2 cents: Dig out the outter dirt from the walls with an excavator, put a drainage layer (in France we use « delta ms ») against the walks that will be covered with dirt to prevent moisture getting to the walls, put a drain w gravel below the level of the walls to redirect all the underground moisture away from the walls. Inside you are putting a plastic sheet that you will cover with insulation + concrete. This will direct all the mosture that used to migrate throuth the dirt floor from bottom to surface to the walls, in this way your walls are again going to get wet. To prevent that you can use the tecnic of « herisson ventilé » You dig a serpentin of french drain in the gravel, it’s function will be not to evacuate any water, but to create an renewable (because ventilated - naturally or with a small 12v pc ventilator) air layer that will evacuate moisture as vapour. Good luck!
He;s already said he is not digging right down to the bottom of the wall - so if he doesn't it will be a problem going forward ! 83 yr old here, plumber's daughter & veteran of multiple house ugrades over my lifetime. If he can't dig down on the outside he will have to just protect the inside from the damp ! Those stone walls are a big problem from that perspective IMO. Oh well - we all know what's best I guess based on how we did it ourselves years ago ! Damp is the biggest problem in any building !
This is very correct advice. Ventilation trough a drain pipe under the concrete floor works very well. The drain outside has to be either below wall level or till rock level or hard clay layer if that one is there.
Being able to see Martijn carry out exactly perfectly how I would envision it is what I would consider a dream. I'm extremely grateful to see all your dedicated work you put into this Martijn it's truly a pleasure, thank you.
@@OfficialMartijnDoolaard- lets not
A thought on the French drains - the deepest you need to go will be on the up-mountain side of this system where they run across the up-mountain side of these two buildings before they turn downhill. These two drains aren't up against any walls and, as such, can be made as deep as possible.
Why is it so ? Every new video posted - is the best one ! Thanks you Martijn - the chickens have brought a whole new dynamic to your project - God Bless you.
Glad to see you've come back to the beautiful hills, to build your castle. It's great to see you using as much tech as you need, and your family and friends - and 2 good strong hands; it seems like you can do anything. I'm STILL impressed with your win over the storm damage; you weren't held back very long. Good Fortune attend you, Martijn.
living in the clouds. How romantic is that! Water has a mind of its own. But you deal with setbacks well.
The couple on Make, Do, Grow have done months of work n drainage around their rural property in central Portugal. They have done everything very carefully and skilfully and would be worth a watch to find out what they did and why. The guy is also quite witty so it’s always a pleasure to watch their work.
The View from above is beautiful!❤ Your attention to detail on the cabin is mesmerizing. The chicken coop is a work of Art. Looks very Midcentury Modern! The chickens look happy! Lovely vlog!❤
I eagerly await each new video, and am never dissapointed. The chickens look really content in their five star accommodation. Great to see they finally ventured out properly.
Love that the chickens went outside for a little stroll. Beautiful!
My God Martijn.....your drone footage is incredible. Every week your content keeps getting better. It's the best start of every week for me. Ciao
Je trouve que les semaines passent vite, je suis toujours heureuse de découvrir votre nouvelle vidéo. Je suis impressionnée par la verdure, c'est tellement beau et vert. L'évacuation des eaux de pluie n'est pas très facile et vous avez raison de prendre votre temps pour bien étudier comment faire au mieux. ❤
Val maira is one the less touristy but more beautiful valley in the alps. Gone there many times by bike. Small villages, rumbling streams, wild nature. I suggest to visit also the nearby valle Varaita. You can go there takeing the SP335 2km ovest from Macra in val Maira. You'll arrive in Sampeyre and then heading ovest for Colle dell'Agnello pass, entering France and visit Queyras natural park. A very panoramic trip. Bless the rain my friend, nowadays it's a rare event for the northwestern alps unfortunately.
Foxes haven’t had any reason to come till now 😮
so cute to see the chicken are out...
I love the way you balance our your days. You take the time to trim the greenery around your property along with taking care of yourself with your small excursions and walks. That's a great work life balance. Thanks for sharing your beautiful vistas and taking us along for the ride. Another great video.
What an absolute inspiration. When you need some quiet time just watching the world go by, you just need to watch these wonderful vlogs. Thanks Martijn.
I can’t describe how much I love your videos, you are a genius.
I’ve been watching your videos for over a year and honestly I am very happy that I found this channel. I’ve seen every single one of these videos and I have your book that my wife gifted to me. Thank you for making these videos and I wish you the best.
I much prefer your solo videos. Somehow when you have helpers/guests, it disturbs the "tranquil vibe". Of course, you need assistance along the way, but the solitude is what I love about your episodes, which I consume as soon as you upload every Sunday!
There is something in the fog I’ve been living in the Italian alps, renovating a long-abandoned stone cabin I thought it was Hunting me When the fog fills the air around me I sometimes catch glimpses of it’s Eyes Flashing in the mist Watching me from trees and around corners I know it must be taller than any man could be though It’s Eyes are never the same height Spaced slightly too far apart I thought it was waiting for the perfect time to strike Then I started finding the Bodies When the fog fills the air on the mountains I stumble across them as I walk through the grass Twisted broken men Men-like Bloody and torn to bits Trying to reach the cabin They were how I realized that it wasn’t Hunting me It was Protecting me There is something living in the fog with me I’ve been living in the Italian alps in a cabin When the fog fills the air and clings to everything I ignore the sounds I hear A bone-rending snap and the tear of flesh Comfort in the grey (I'm so sorry I had a sudden moment of inspiration lmao, I actually hate horror movies etc)
Good morning Martijn, glad you let the 4 girls choose when to go exploring. Moving can be very stressful for them even though you built them a palace. Your home looks beautiful in all that green lushness. Have a good week!
It’s one of the reasons that olden rural residents lived in the dry above their animals and let them provide warmth from below!
The wall looks wonderful! Your ability to piece all the stones so tightly is amazing.
Again I am enchanted with the landscape as I sit in concrete London I am transported to west Cork/Kerry with phenomenal waterfalls the playground of my childhood. The stonework is just beautiful thanks very much 🎉
Martijn, great video as always. Echo what the others are saying about also installing drainage significantly upslope away from the cabins. You would also need to outfall it below the cabins. Can advise if needs be as am a geotechnical engineer. Whilst I am english Iive near Grenoble. Cycle close to you several times including the 1st Edition of The Torino Nice Rally in 2016.
Consider watching MakeDo Grow for their videos on using lime material on their lower floors to allow for drainage and moisture management in their stone building in Portugal. They are very knowledgeable with same philosophy as yourself in preserving the originality & breathability of the house. Wonderful videos as always 💐
Funny, we watch the same channels
Two things (among many) that I always enjoy about your work, Martijn -- you're thorough and you admit when you may have made a mistake and need to re-do something. I admire your pride and your discipline.
My Sunday oasis! Thanks Martijn.
Hey Martijn 👋 I look forward to each video you post every Sunday evening here in Australia. I find them very relaxing and refreshing! Beautiful scenery and your videos are so professional. Well done! 🏅 PS. The chickens are looked after very well! 😅
Hello Martijn. I have a rustico as well.m above the Lago Maggiore. We had the same water problem. The soil in the area is letting water go trough very easy. The water travels down either over the rock level underground or if there’s a hard claylike level under the black layer soil then the water travels over that layer down. You do need to make your drain till the rock or clay level to effectively stop the water from reaching the house.
When I lived in Uganda, I made a chicken coup, not as fancy as yours off course...i used a pvc gutter tied to the wire fence about 8" from the ground for the food. At each end, I had an empty plastic water gallon, hanging upside down that was hanging a little bit higher filled with food (flat side had a smal cut off where I used a funnel to fill it with grains..) Food came out of the bottle as they ate the food in the pvc pope. It was a big help when I needed to travel for a few days to the camps. I used the same water feeder you have but hanged from the top of the coup, helping it to stay above the ground and keep it cleaner for a little longer. Mine chicks used to love pumpkin and its seeds, and in return, they gave me tons of eggs. Started with 4 females and one young rooster. When I left Uganda (2022), there were about 13 chickens and 3 roosters. Never had the courage to eat any of them tough....they had names... and the original ones were still alive 😂❤. Love watching your work and how creative you are finding solutions to problems as they appear. Thank you so much for making my Sundays even more enjoyable.
Glad you took the time away for awhile, always good to un-clog the brain with something besides work. Another great video! Keep on keeping on!
Beautiful to see this week's episode, Lovely Views of the Mountains and really Amazing Clouds.. Pity about the water in the Cabin, as You say, it has to be done Right before You move forward Martijn. Glad to see the Chickens are no out, soon they will be giving Amazing Eggs... Looking forward to seeing you next Sunday, it's a favourite for me to see what You have done each week, Thank You, and I must say that You're Truly Blessed to be there surrounded by God's Beautiful scenery 👍🏼
A nice gentle video Martin, your mountain is so lush and green now, made me smile as I’m stuck indoors getting over another bout of COVID. Your cabin is coming along beautifully. Take care, till next time have a great week. 🌸
OMG I'm so glad my internet connection fixed not long after the video uploaded, I was afraid I have to wait until tomorrow to watch 🤩
Those chickens might have been living in dreams now, compared to what they used to before. Imagine, they don't need to look for food as meals are timely served. They might think that going out is being back to their former lives..."so why would i get out from this mansion?" Lol!😉🙃 Life is good with Boss MD!...ok chickens, u really got lucky with MD🤗 Thanks again MD for sharing ur (educational) life's👣 journey👏👏👏🙌❤---♡◇☆God🙏 ble$$ always...stay safe🙌
Thank you for the beautiful, peaceful start to my hectic weeks. I look forward to watching early Sunday mornings and a little sad when the video ends. 🥰
Thanks for showing beautiful sceneries around you. You will always love places like that especially if you grew-up in nature surrounded with mountains and rivers, creeks (with animals roaming around), your place is so nice and the movements of clouds around it’s like a never ending classic music. I knew pretty well that most of us, your viewers sees the beauty (natural views)of how you deliver your show, ( in a one package). I hope I can still see your videos until the last show you’ll make. Mothers say always to their children again and again stay safe, God is always with you, thank you for this great show.
Your girls are precious. They each have their own personality. They will serve you well! Their coop is 1st rate accommodations! 🐔
YOUR roof renovation is a testimony to a human spirit of fortitude ..patience and hope. Amazed at your sometimes "going it alone". When we keep hope it eventually turns to sight.
Good morning Martijn great to see the chickens are loving the outside 😮
Everything is so green now. And it is gorgeous. Great job with the cabins. 🙌🙌🙌🙌
Crazy to think this is modern television and this is the only tv show I watch.
After putting down your plastic it is starting to look like a home already,you’re amazing how you plug along every day to achieve your dream
Those eggs will be so good after those hens eat those snails, bugs and grass that's so readily available. Thanks for following the water with that beautiful hike. See you next week!!
So curious about the Piedmont you find yourself living in, thank you for taking us along with you on your drive to Val Maira. Hoping one day you'll take us to visit Elena Rosa, who grows Val Pellice traditional herbs and edible flowers on her farm in Gemerello, taught by an ancient lady who foraged the hills there. (See article "Reviving the Lost Tradition of Cooking Flowers" in Gastro Obscura, Your mushroom-foraging trespassers are inheritors of the Val Pelicce foraging tradition.) Also interested in the glimpse of the cheesemakers you've given us so far, and how people in the Waldensian mountain hideouts still eke out a living from their/your beautiful space.
Thank you for sharing these times of your life with us, Martijn. I feel very privileged to watch them. You are an incredible human being and we are blessed to be able to watch/share this journey with you. Much love, gratitude and blessings to you.
Love to see a whole area of what looks like Lily of the valley,all looking green and lush everywhere .What a task sorting out the drainage.All done with infinite patience and a steely determination.Beautiful film as always and endearing to see the chicks enjoying their new life ❤
Grazie a te Martino per le belle immagini che ci proponi delle valli a te vicine. In Val Varaita ci andai da piccolina perché c era un fratello della mia nonna paterna che abitava in quelle zone e ne ho un ricordo bellissimo. Le pollastrelle finalmente fuori a razzolare fanno bene ad essere guardinghe. Le pollastrelle mi ricordano il cartone animato, molto divertente, di Lupo Alberto e della gallina Marta innamoratissimi che non riescono mai ad incontrarsi perché il cane che fa da guardia non glielo permette. Tanti lavori di drenaggio acque, sei bravissimo e veramente costante nella ricerca del meglio. Ti auguro un lavoro proficuo e ti abbraccio. Buon inizio di settimana a tutti. 🌈
Spring is a wonderful time, especially in the mountains: the clear, cold meltwater that is trying to find its way down, the young green plants and the pleasant warmth of the sun and the still cold air that flows around you.
Great episode. Very interesting seeing what's going underneath the floor
Hey Martijn, thanks for the prettiest walkabout today. In a way, the chickens have their own walkabout as well. See you next week. Don't be discouraged. Be of good cheer!
Martijn you are such a good steward for the property, the back wall looks lovely, hope this week goes well as you ammilorate that moisture issue in the cabin. The place looks great, ready for full summer. Who was the creature you caught on the trail cam? I'm glad the chickens finally ventured out, I think they enjoy it when you talk to them, contented chickens produce many eggs.. Thanks for sharing, this was such a taste of spring.
That looked like a cat to me. Anyone else?
@@shortfuse43 I believe the black cat was in a previous video
Martijn, I am living your dream in paradise! Oh no! You are! Wishing you all the best with your lovely chicken family!
I agree with you that stepping back to make something right is always the best plan. Can’t wait to see how it all turns out!
I love that you gave the time the chickens needed to be comfortable enough to go outside❤ Animals bring life😍 so nice to observe them and their personalities