Uploaded January 2026 | Updated September 2026, 6 minutes ago
We’ve started a new off-grid family homestead in Zimbabwe. Head to drinkag1.com/thenewbys to get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE
welcome kit when you first subscribe! Only while supplies last.
Our very first job on our new off-grid homestead is fixing the water system so we can actually live here.
For the past four years we’ve been renovating and building our family home in Portugal, and while that project isn’t finished yet (we’ll be back building there in the spring), we’re now in Africa starting something new as a family. This episode is all about arriving, settling in, meeting the wildlife (monkeys, chameleons, geckos, chickens and more!), and tackling our first real problem: a completely broken off-grid water system.
We have a borehole, solar power, and gravity-fed water tanks — but both tanks have split and we have no running water in the house. So we get to work: building a new platform on solid rock, moving a 5,000 litre water tank into place, sourcing scarce cement, and slowly bringing the system back to life.
Along the way we’re learning about water management, living more intentionally, working as a family, and becoming the caretakers of a truly special piece of land that holds thousands of years of history.
This is the beginning of our Zimbabwe homestead journey — full of challenges, beauty, wildlife, hard work, and purpose — and we’re so grateful to have you here with us for it.
🌍 In this episode:
• Starting our new family homestead in Zimbabwe
• Off-grid living in Africa (solar, borehole & gravity-fed water)
• Fixing a broken rural water system
• Building a water tank platform by hand
• Wildlife encounters in the garden
• Living simply, sustainably, and intentionally as a family
If you’re new here — welcome. And if you’ve been with us since Portugal — thank you for following us into this next chapter. 💛
WORK WITH US: Email info@thenewbys.co.uk
OUR NEWSLETTER: thenewbys.co.uk/join-our-newsletter
SHOP OUR MERCH & CHILDRENS BOOK: thenewbys.co.uk/shop
INSTAGRAM instagram.com/thenewbys/?hl=en
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/thenewbys1
Support us on PATREON: patreon.com/thenewbys
Our Website: thenewbys.co.uk
If you are looking to buy or build a house in Portugal READ OUR BLOG FIRST, filled with great contacts and handy advice; thenewbys.co.uk/building-a-house-in-portugal Good luck!
New episodes EVERY WEDNESDAY and SUNDAY
If you are looking for any of our partner products and affiliate links, here is everything you need but if there is something specific please do message us!
Solar and electrical
Solar panels - UK: https://dataaccess.renogy.cn/t/Sf
Solar panels - US: https://dataaccess.renogy.cn/t/Nf
Portable power station - bit.ly/4ljyQ3L
Security cameras - reolink.com/lp/wireless-security-camera-system/?aff=99 (discount code TheNewbys)
Drone - click.dji.com/AMxV1xJgN97KUF1sYOBu-g?pm=link
All things homestead
Birdfeeder with camera - birdfy.com/?ref=TheNewbys
Automatic lawnmower - eu.mammotion.com/?ref=TheNewbys
E-bikes - bit.ly/3VvIztp (discount code TheNewbys50)
Kidz E-bikes - bit.ly/4gDf5n6 (discount code TheNewbys50)
Beehive - https://store.hiive.eu?sca_ref=6325865.DJkALTkic5
Water filter - bit.ly/4dLoh6A (discount code THENEWBYS10)
Automatic chicken coop door: chickcozy.com/?bg_ref=Lafv2FIqFf
Automatic blinds - smartwingshome.pxf.io/TheNewbys
For the family
Kids educational boxes - kiwico.com/newbys (discount code NEWBYS)
John’s favourite tees - trueclassictees.com/THENEWBYS (discount code NEWBYS)
Stainless steel bottles - bit.ly/3UJNpCo (discount code 15Newbys)
Food delivery - hellofresh.co.uk/HELLONEWBYS (discount code HELLONEWBYS)
Natural deodorant - bit.ly/NEWBY20 (discount code NEWBY20)
Jewellery - holzkern.com/newbysband (discount code NEWBYS)
For the creatives
Organizational tool - milanote.com/newbys0825
Online resource for creatives - go.craftsy.com/thenewbys6
Online classes for creatives - https://skl.sh/thenewbys12241
Find freelancers - Fvrr.co/newbys
Schedule tracker - https://akiflow.pro/thenewbys
Office table - bit.ly/4gj49uU
Office chair - bit.ly/41IK4Im (discount code C750)
Smart tower fan - bit.ly/4kocsG4 (discount code NEWBY20)
Travel necessities
Luggage - https://shorturl.at/klmAR (discount code THENEWBYS15)
E-sim - holafly.sjv.io/MAbra3 (discount code THENEWBYS)
Insurance - myglobalshield.com/?ref=thenewbys
Car rental - discovercars.com/go/thenewbys
Thank you so much for watching and supporting our journey! 🌍✨
BE BRAVE – THINK BIG – EXPLORE
We’ve started a new off-grid family homestead in Zimbabwe. Head to drinkag1.com/thenewbys to get a FREE AG1 duffel bag and FREE
welcome kit when you first subscribe! Only while supplies last.
Our very first job on our new off-grid homestead is fixing the water system so we can actually live here.
For the past four years we’ve been renovating and building our family home in Portugal, and while that project isn’t finished yet (we’ll be back building there in the spring), we’re now in Africa starting something new as a family. This episode is all about arriving, settling in, meeting the wildlife (monkeys, chameleons, geckos, chickens and more!), and tackling our first real problem: a completely broken off-grid water system.
We have a borehole, solar power, and gravity-fed water tanks — but both tanks have split and we have no running water in the house. So we get to work: building a new platform on solid rock, moving a 5,000 litre water tank into place, sourcing scarce cement, and slowly bringing the system back to life.
Along the way we’re learning about water management, living more intentionally, working as a family, and becoming the caretakers of a truly special piece of land that holds thousands of years of history.
This is the beginning of our Zimbabwe homestead journey — full of challenges, beauty, wildlife, hard work, and purpose — and we’re so grateful to have you here with us for it.
🌍 In this episode:
• Starting our new family homestead in Zimbabwe
• Off-grid living in Africa (solar, borehole & gravity-fed water)
• Fixing a broken rural water system
• Building a water tank platform by hand
• Wildlife encounters in the garden
• Living simply, sustainably, and intentionally as a family
If you’re new here — welcome. And if you’ve been with us since Portugal — thank you for following us into this next chapter. 💛
WORK WITH US: Email info@thenewbys.co.uk
OUR NEWSLETTER: thenewbys.co.uk/join-our-newsletter
SHOP OUR MERCH & CHILDRENS BOOK: thenewbys.co.uk/shop
INSTAGRAM instagram.com/thenewbys/?hl=en
FACEBOOK: facebook.com/thenewbys1
Support us on PATREON: patreon.com/thenewbys
Our Website: thenewbys.co.uk
If you are looking to buy or build a house in Portugal READ OUR BLOG FIRST, filled with great contacts and handy advice; thenewbys.co.uk/building-a-house-in-portugal Good luck!
New episodes EVERY WEDNESDAY and SUNDAY
If you are looking for any of our partner products and affiliate links, here is everything you need but if there is something specific please do message us!
Solar and electrical
Solar panels - UK: https://dataaccess.renogy.cn/t/Sf
Solar panels - US: https://dataaccess.renogy.cn/t/Nf
Portable power station - bit.ly/4ljyQ3L
Security cameras - reolink.com/lp/wireless-security-camera-system/?aff=99 (discount code TheNewbys)
Drone - click.dji.com/AMxV1xJgN97KUF1sYOBu-g?pm=link
All things homestead
Birdfeeder with camera - birdfy.com/?ref=TheNewbys
Automatic lawnmower - eu.mammotion.com/?ref=TheNewbys
E-bikes - bit.ly/3VvIztp (discount code TheNewbys50)
Kidz E-bikes - bit.ly/4gDf5n6 (discount code TheNewbys50)
Beehive - https://store.hiive.eu?sca_ref=6325865.DJkALTkic5
Water filter - bit.ly/4dLoh6A (discount code THENEWBYS10)
Automatic chicken coop door: chickcozy.com/?bg_ref=Lafv2FIqFf
Automatic blinds - smartwingshome.pxf.io/TheNewbys
For the family
Kids educational boxes - kiwico.com/newbys (discount code NEWBYS)
John’s favourite tees - trueclassictees.com/THENEWBYS (discount code NEWBYS)
Stainless steel bottles - bit.ly/3UJNpCo (discount code 15Newbys)
Food delivery - hellofresh.co.uk/HELLONEWBYS (discount code HELLONEWBYS)
Natural deodorant - bit.ly/NEWBY20 (discount code NEWBY20)
Jewellery - holzkern.com/newbysband (discount code NEWBYS)
For the creatives
Organizational tool - milanote.com/newbys0825
Online resource for creatives - go.craftsy.com/thenewbys6
Online classes for creatives - https://skl.sh/thenewbys12241
Find freelancers - Fvrr.co/newbys
Schedule tracker - https://akiflow.pro/thenewbys
Office table - bit.ly/4gj49uU
Office chair - bit.ly/41IK4Im (discount code C750)
Smart tower fan - bit.ly/4kocsG4 (discount code NEWBY20)
Travel necessities
Luggage - https://shorturl.at/klmAR (discount code THENEWBYS15)
E-sim - holafly.sjv.io/MAbra3 (discount code THENEWBYS)
Insurance - myglobalshield.com/?ref=thenewbys
Car rental - discovercars.com/go/thenewbys
Thank you so much for watching and supporting our journey! 🌍✨
BE BRAVE – THINK BIG – EXPLORE
