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Meet Curt & Kayleigh an inspiring off grid couple living in Catalunya who offer the 'Wild & Free Yurt Experience' holidays.
Hey everyone, its Curty, Kayleigh, Soul and Lua, this is our story of off grid living and its journey so far. There are many pages to the book with many twist and turns but this is us trying to life off the land in Catalunya Spain.
It started in 2013 when Curty, Kayleigh and Curtys dad decided living the normal rat race of 9-5 life in society didn't feel right for us. So we decided to sell up all our possessions and start somewhere new. Spain was the chosen country as Rob Curtys dad had experience of living there before and it was still close enough for family to visit etc.
Three soon became six, as other family members decided they too deserve a better fulfilling life in which they experience joy, laughter and freeness of their own free will, that our lives in the Uk were lacking. We all got together and made a plan of where about in the country we wanted to search for land, and the Catalunya area particularly the Ebro area with the river was a huge pull. As we sold and found new homes for our unwanted possessions, we bought equipment and materials that we knew we would need for the next chapter in our life's.
The next challenge came, logistics. Not only were there six adults now but we had six cats coming on the journey too. So this meant we had to find somewhere to rent that would accommodate them as well, as for being a six month period that we set ourselves to find the land. Some how we found it, a cabin on land in the middle of the region we wanted to search around. Two days before leaving we said goodbye to our survival belongings to storage, cats to a cattery before they were being shipped, and we had a couple of days rest in a rented caravan.
Arriving at the cabin was exciting, we all felt some new found energy in us, being set in the valley of giant mountains, olive trees all around and sunshine. We saw many lands over the six months, none of them hitting our spot or missing requirements. There was one particular piece of land we had heard of but the agents kept putting off the viewing, which only increased our desire to view it more.
Beautifully forgotten about old farm of 40 years. It all fell into place and we knew it was the one. Buying the land with the notary was fairly easy, and within a few weeks we could move on. Off we went to buy temporary shelter to make our next step towards our dream.
It was a very basic, think well away from any life except boars, owls and other forest animals. No electric, no hygiene basics, no water no shelter. None of the comforts what society supplies. This meant that we felt well out of our comfort zone, however day by day, our love grew for the land and it grew to accept us.
First as a family we constructed a garage for our possessions arriving from the Uk. We then went on to build a yurt village, consisting of a 21 foot yurt for a communal socialising kitchen area and four smaller ones for our own private living areas. After a year of using the outside toilet (bucket in a bag) we added an extension on the garage for our toilet block, which we installed double toilet and showers. We got our first two puppies which became our best buddies and companions.
We bought water storage of 30,000 litres and installed them to catch the rain of the roofs. Built an outside Kitchen to enjoy in the hot dry summers we experienced. Raised vegetable beds were made to house our first very own vegetables and fruit trees planted for the first time.
In time our tribe fell and grew some more, which was challenging as the dream you once had has altered, and you loose that man or women's life skills and characteristcs.
To the end of that era Kayleigh fell pregnant. In 2019 our first precious free soul was born. It was somewhat a traumatic time as we had just survived a huge 7000 hectare fire in our area. Being 37 weeks pregnant forced from your home for a week (as we had left to collect new pups) was never expected but never the less Souls arrival was pretty smooth and quick. As an excited couple we had already made some adjustments in the lead up to his arrival. Some of which were- The 21ft communal yurt was moved to a new location to be our new private living area.
A 24V solar system was installed to power fridge/freezer, washing machine and any lights and plugs. This felt new age and our hands defiantly thanked the washing machine after hand washing for five years.
Again the numbers of the tribe changed in this time of us settling as a family. We talked lots, felt lots and we could see how life was changing drastically and quickly. At this point we felt it necessary to extend and renovate the existing garage to become living quarters for us as a family. The outside kitchen soon was taken down and the foundation for the base and walls started going up. Very slowly with help from fantastic friends and Kayleigh's mum we started to get somewhere. Then we found out we were expecting the beautiful Lua.
As incredible and amazing experience it is living close to nature in the yurt, with no running water and limited space it was also difficult at times. Once the renovation was at a stage we could move in, we had a celebratory meal that night in the finished kitchen. The following day we started moving our belongings over from the yurt, Lua was just a few weeks old and even though the change of moving back into concrete walls was somewhat disconnecting from outside life, it also instantly made family life easier for us all.
We were/are a tribe no more, just a small young growing family still pushing for the same dream we elders once had. Parenting adds its own dynamics to off grid living, but we are still enthusiastic and embrace the change. We got a few chickens for eggs, then some more chickens for our own meat. We plan to get rabbits next for fertilizer and meat. Its not what we dreamed once but we are so grateful for where we are, what we have achieved and most importantly the next generation sharing it now with us.
Welcome to the 'Wild & Free Yurt Valley Experience' 🌴
We are now inviting people to come and stay with us at our mountain wilderness and experience living in an off grid Yurt surrounded by nothing but stunning nature and the songs of the birds.
The Yurt sleeps up to 4 people complete with kitchen, fridge, washing up area and plugs to charge electrical items.
If you want to experience 'yurt life' then come and stay with us. We would love to welcome you to our unique off grid home hidden in the Catalan mountains.
We off airport pick up and drop off.
''I had the most wonderful few days staying in the yurt. Kayleigh, Curtis and family are the best hosts and great company too. The yurt was so homely and comfortable with everything I needed including a kitchen, bathroom and outdoor space. The surrounding country views are beautiful and the atmosphere is so relaxing. I highly recommend visiting if you get the chance and guarantee you will leave feeling peaceful and refreshed. Thank you guys for everything. I will definitely be returning soon.''
Guest Review - Emili Flix
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