Latest news with #oliveTrees
The Sun
7 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
We ditched UK rat race to buy 12-acre Med paradise for price of second hand car…beers are £1 & childcare is £200 a month
LOOKING up from her computer, Katie Smith hears the buzzing of bees, chirping birds and her giggling toddler picking vegetables with her dad. Five years ago the 36-year-old mum-of-one and husband Danny, 37, ditched their office jobs in the UK and used cash they'd saved for their wedding to buy a dilapidated two-room stone house and 12.5 acres of land in a popular holiday hotspot. 15 15 15 Their farm, complete with 200 olive trees and 50 carob trees, some dating back 300 years, sits in the terraced hills of Catalonia, Spain and cost the couple a little over £15,000 - less than the price of a second-hand Ford Kia. The couple chose to avoid the more touristy areas in the Mediterranean region, opting for a tiny rural village outside Baix Ebre with just 900 residents, where cappuccinos cost £1.20 - 10p more than a pint of beer. The cost of living in rural Catalonia is 50 per cent cheaper than Britain, while rent is 70 per cent cheaper and buying a home or farm is a whopping 90 per cent less than in London. Former marketing manager Katie and project manager Danny, 37, met at school in Rotherham, South Yorks when they were 17 and have been together ever since. The pair attended the University of Reading and stayed after graduating, settling into jobs on the outskirts of London and commuting from their £900-a-month rented one-bedroom flat. Katie explains: 'In 2015 we were trying to save for a house in the commuter belt and Danny's work offered him the chance to do advanced study in Polymer Chemistry at the University Automna in Barcelona.' The pair moved to Barcelona and Katie got a job in marketing. When lockdown hit in 2020 the pair ditched their plans for a big wedding and exchanged their vows in front of ten people. They then used the money they'd saved for the nuptials to pursue a new life as olive producers, despite having never lived or worked on a farm. 'Lockdown and the cost of living made us realise if we wanted to try something different - this was our chance,' says Danny. I ditched my waitress job in London and moved to paradise island where rent is £200 and dates with men involve beach 15 15 15 In July 2020 they paid just over £15,000 for their olive grove plot featuring a two-room stone building, known as an 'Almacén', which didn't have water or electricity. Speaking to The Sun, Katie reveals: 'It's three miles down a dirt track. It hadn't been used for decades. 'The olive trees were in dire need of love and the bottom room of the house had been used to house a donkey, but we loved it. 'We still can't believe we bought an olive farm for less than the price of a second hand car. 'This year we're going to press our own extra virgin olive oil. We didn't grow up on a farm so we're self-taught. 'The owner wanted cash and when we had to hand over £15,000 in notes. It was terrifying but it all worked out brilliantly.' Danny and Katie, who were still working in Barcelona and travelled down on weekends, pitched a tent and built a tiny house to stay in while doing renovations on the Almacen. 'It was a big job," Katie admits. "We were cutting down bushes, fixing the stone walls and tending to centuries-old olive trees to bring them back to life after years of neglect.' In November 2022 the couple discovered Katie was pregnant. Katie recalls: 'Our olive farm is on terraced land on the side of a mountain with wild boar, no electric or running water. "We realised raising a baby there without a completed house was going to be impossible." 15 15 They spent the next few months looking at houses in the nearby village, and when Katie was 40 weeks they became proud owners of a four-storey, three-bedroom stone and brick terraced home, also in dire need of renovation - costing a little over £50,000. 'We got the smallest mortgage the bank would allow us to have. The house was liveable, and it had running water and electricity. From day one were were renovating," says Danny. Katie was made redundant during her pregnancy and the pair admit buying the house, working on the olive farm and welcoming their first child was a monumental task. 'I am sure people thought we'd come fleeing back to Britain, but we doubled down," she says. 'We'd spent less than the cost of a bedsit in London on an olive grove and a village house. 'Having our daughter in July 2023 made us realise our decision was the right one. 'Having a child is life-changing. We decided to effectively add in becoming farmers and house renovators as well. There are times I looked at Danny and said, 'This is beyond crazy!'' The couple knew if they returned to Britain they'd have to move to the commuter belt outside of London and would be overwhelmed with financial worries and work stress. 'Just the experience of buying the 'off the grid olive grove' made us realise Spain was our new forever home,' says Danny. 'When we bought the village house we had no proper DIY experience, but we knew we could make it work even if Isabelle, who's now 22 months, was just born." 15 15 15 Despite the village being "about as remote as you can get", with English a third language behind Catalan and Spanish, the couple say it's worth it for how cheaply they can live. The family pays £80 a year for propane for their stove, £100 a month on electricity and £30 for satellite internet. The couple splashed out £15,000 on a second-hand Land Rover because the off-grid olive grove is almost four kilometres down a windy dirt road, and fuel costs around £1.29 a litre. They pay just £200 a month for Isabelle to attend the local nursery, and at 22 months she speaks Spanish, Catalan, and English. 'Here we spend less than £950 a month on mortgage, utilities, fuel and food," says Katie. Katie continued: "We occasionally do a trip to a nearby city to go to Lidl or Aldi. 'We buy food we need from the local village markets and spend £60 a week. On average milk costs 80p a litre, bread is 90p a loaf and a dozen eggs £1.60. "A bottle of locally produced wine is around £3 and a pint of local beer is around £1.10. "Eating out at a local village restaurant is about £18 for two and includes drinks. 'The locals have taken us under their wing. They love the fact a young British couple has moved in and have a child and are living here.' While some people think they're "crazy", Katie says they always knew this way of living was the right decision for them. 'In Britain, a three-bedroom house with 12.5 acres of land would cost between £800,000 and £2million. In London, £65,000 wouldn't even rate as a house deposit. Here it got us an olive grove and a four-storey home in the village," she says. 'It's definitely been a challenge with ups and downs. But when I look up from my laptop and see my little girl and her dad picking vegetables, or we wander in our own olive grove, I really pinch myself. 'Our view is amazing and it's so quiet. One day we thought we could hear a drone overhead – it was a swarm of wild bees.' 15 15 The couple admit taking on renovating their village house and farming the olive grove has been exhausting and not for the faint-hearted. So far they've refurbished the bathroom, plastered the bedroom walls, repaired beams and restored flooring, doing much of the work themselves. 'We set ourselves a budget of £2,400 for the kitchen as it's the centre of the house," says Danny. 'We were quoted £10,000 to have the kitchen renovated by builders. Doing it ourselves over 10 months has saved us more than £8,000 and despite exhaustion, leaking pipes, redoing work we thought we'd fixed, it's almost done. 'We're creating a proper DIY Catalan farmhouse kitchen. It means finding and using local wood and tiles. That means lots of upcycling." As well as the olive and carob trees, Danny is planting lemons, oranges and nut trees. 'We're all in and refuse to give up," say Katie. 'We're learning new skills every day. Sometimes we fail, but if we fell apart every time that happened, we'd be back in Britain.' The Digital Nomad Visa Spain is also one of 65 countries to now offer digital nomad visas. The Digital Nomad Visa, also called Spain Telework Visa, allows non-EU remote workers and freelancers to legally reside in Spain. It was introduced in the 2023 Startups Law. Katie says the key to making a successful move to rural Spain is getting the digital nomad visa and ensuring you keep to a work routine with your British job. 'It is also critical you check if the property you are buying allows you to live on it," she adds. "Just because it's for sale and has a building on it doesn't mean living there is approved. 'It's done on the British equivalent of a council or council basis. So, visit the local Town Hall and check - you don't want to buy a farm or olive grove and discover you can't renovate the house.' Since having her daughter, Katie has published a bilingual English and Spanish children's book called Paco the Adventure Dog Goes to the River. 'It's about our dog Paco but allows parents to start teaching their child Spanish," she explains. 'We are doing free courses to learn Catalan and we're now almost fluent in Spanish." Katie has started chronicling the family's new life on social media and has found herself inundated with questions from families wanting to do the same. ' Our YouTube is very popular," she says. "Lots of young families want advice. If we did it with a newborn, so could they. 'It's a dream many people have. People wanted to know everything about our new life, from where we get our hair cut to the cost of fuel and how we pay our electric bill. 'Living here is a real back to basics existence, and we love it. The pressure we used to feel in London has disappeared. "We're less stressed, more relaxed and have more quality family time than ever before.'
Zawya
14-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Jordan: Agriculture Ministry launches national campaign to support olive sector
AMMAN — Minister of Agriculture Khaled Hneifat on Tuesday launched the National Campaign for the Integrated Management of Olive Trees. Representatives from the plant wealth and agricultural extension sectors, the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), and stakeholders in the olive industry participated in the event, held at the ministry headquarters, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. Attendees also included representatives from the General Syndicate of Jordanian Olive Oil Mills Owners and Olive Producers, the Jordanian Olive Products Exporters Association (JOPEA), President of the General Union of Jordanian Farmers Odeh Rawashdeh, and President of the Jordan Agricultural Engineers Association Ali Abu Nuqta. The campaign aligns with the Economic Modernisation Vision and the ministry's plan to achieve food security and enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, especially olives, considered a 'cornerstone' of Jordan's agricultural economy. It aims to promote the best agricultural and manufacturing practices, as well as climate-smart farming methods, through a series of field schools and training courses across all governorates. The ministry will fund 13 training courses and 19 field schools, with additional schools funded by international organisations, focusing on regions most affected by the olive fruit fly pest. Hneifat stressed that this collaborative campaign will contribute to the sector's development, especially through the vital role of agricultural extension services in delivering campaign messages to farmers through all available channels. He noted that addressing pests and enhancing olive oil quality will positively impact farmers and the national economy. The ministry will also track campaign outcomes and assess their impact on the agricultural sector, particularly the olive industry, which accounts for 72 per cent of Jordan's fruit-bearing trees, the minister noted. Hneifat added that these efforts will be carried out in coordination with the Agricultural Engineers Association, the General Syndicate of Jordanian Olive Oil Mills Owners and Olive Producers and JOPEA. © Copyright The Jordan Times. All rights reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Jordan Times
13-05-2025
- Business
- Jordan Times
Agriculture Ministry launches national campaign to support olive sector
Minister of Agriculture Khaled Hneifat on Tuesday launches the National Campaign for the Integrated Management of Olive Trees, which aims to achieve food security and enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, especially olives (File photo) AMMAN — Minister of Agriculture Khaled Hneifat on Tuesday launched the National Campaign for the Integrated Management of Olive Trees. Representatives from the plant wealth and agricultural extension sectors, the National Agricultural Research Centre (NARC), and stakeholders in the olive industry participated in the event, held at the ministry headquarters, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported. Attendees also included representatives from the General Syndicate of Jordanian Olive Oil Mills Owners and Olive Producers, the Jordanian Olive Products Exporters Association (JOPEA), President of the General Union of Jordanian Farmers Odeh Rawashdeh , and President of the Jordan Agricultural Engineers Association Ali Abu Nuqta . The campaign aligns with the Economic Modernisation Vision and the ministry's plan to achieve food security and enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, especially olives, considered a 'cornerstone' of Jordan's agricultural economy. It aims to promote the best agricultural and manufacturing practices, as well as climate-smart farming methods, through a series of field schools and training courses across all governorates. The ministry will fund 13 training courses and 19 field schools, with additional schools funded by international organisations, focusing on regions most affected by the olive fruit fly pest. Hneifat stressed that this collaborative campaign will contribute to the sector's development, especially through the vital role of agricultural extension services in delivering campaign messages to farmers through all available channels. He noted that addressing pests and enhancing olive oil quality will positively impact farmers and the national economy. The ministry will also track campaign outcomes and assess their impact on the agricultural sector, particularly the olive industry, which accounts for 72 per cent of Jordan's fruit-bearing trees, the minister noted. Hneifat added that these efforts will be carried out in coordination with the Agricultural Engineers Association, the General Syndicate of Jordanian Olive Oil Mills Owners and Olive Producers and JOPEA. Page 2
The Sun
13-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- The Sun
The Mediterranean plant everyone is raving about for their gardens this summer – Lidl, Tesco & Asda are all selling them
NOW that warmer weather has finally arrived in the UK, Brits will be looking to take advantage of their gardens this summer. From having friends over for a garden BBQ to simply relaxing in the sunshine, those with gardens are set to be making the most of what they've got at home. 4 4 According to a study by Paving Shopper, 87 per cent of UK households have access to a garden, which highlights the importance of outdoor spaces in British life. Many won't want their gardens to be an eyesore, but with the cost-of-living crisis still having a tight hold on people's purses, it can be difficult to fork out on lots of new products for the garden. This is why there is a viral plant that everyone is raving about, as it'll add a Mediterranean touch to your garden for cheap. Even better, some of the main supermarkets are currently selling olive trees at bargain prices, so you won't need to look far for them. Shoppers are taking to TikTok to share their excitement about the plants, whilst also suggesting where to get them from. One account, which goes by the name of ' jl_23home ', shared a video urging other gardening fans to 'run' to their local Lidl after finding one for £16.99. After purchasing two for her garden, she explained: 'Now I'm all for those huge ones, and I did really want them BUT this is my first time ever with real plants so if I can keep these two alive I bet you not I'm having those extra large ones next year.' Her video received 242.7K views after just two days of being shared, as 1,962 people liked it and 43 people rushed to the comments section to share their thoughts. Many suggested other places where they had also got theirs, as a gardening fan mentioned that they got one for £15 from Tesco. Grow your groceries - how to grow tomatoes from tomatoes! Another person mentioned that they got theirs for £8 in Asda. Glam up your garden A DIY enthusiast and savvy saver has revealed some clever tricks that will glam up your garden for cheap. Shelley Carline revamped her grubby patio for just £20 after being determined to make her 'garden look good without spending a fortune." Using black and white paint, Shelley crafted a striking checkerboard design on her patio, spending just £20. 4 She proudly shared: 'Made a huge difference, was a lot cheaper and easier than laying new flagstones and it's lasted well.' Shelly continued: 'Our outdoor kitchen was built entirely from materials we had left from other jobs." Additionally, Shelley used the same black and white paint to refresh her garden furniture for just £20, giving it a stylish new look without splashing out. May gardening jobs The Sun's Gardening Editor, Veronica Lorraine, has shared the tasks you need to crack on with in May. GARDEN growth can go from nought to ninety in May, depending on the weather. The last UK frosts are generally seen at the beginning of the month, so all of a sudden there's so much more to do and grow. Plant out dahlia tubers It's a joy to finally plant out your dahlia tubers. Remember how big they can get - and space accordingly - anything up to half a metre apart. It's a good idea to put your support stakes in now instead of trying to work around them. And make sure you include lots of well rotted manure or decent compost to feed it and then mulch to keep it moist and suppress weeds. They generally start blooming in July. Final feed to Spring flowers You can give a cheeky feed to all your remaining tulips and daffodils. Although the majority of bulbs aren't guaranteed to come back year after year any more, as long as you've left them to die back naturally there's a good chance they'll have stored enough energy to come back again. Tomato feed is fine. Tie up climbers Your clematis, honeysuckle and rambling roses should be well on their way by now - try to use plastic free string to tie them back into their support, or tuck them round each other to make sure they don't sprout off in crazy directions. Feed the lawn It's not too late to give your lawn a good feed. Whether you use granular or liquid, it can give it a good boost to see it through the harsher summer months. While mowing, don't go too low with your cut length yet and never take more than a third off the grass height. Get creative It's also time to get creative with hanging baskets and pots. Trailing pelargoniums, which a lot of people call geraniums, and Begonias are a good, low cost way of getting lovely returning blooms throughout the summer in your baskets. And pots can be planted with spring bulbs. Don't forget the greenhouse! Give your greenhouse a good tidy and clean the glass inside and out. The improved light will help plants grow quicker inside and tidying is good for the soul. You can just use a household white wine vinegar and water solution - or even neat if you're feeling spendy - which gives a really good shine.
Times of Oman
10-05-2025
- Business
- Times of Oman
Green Mountain gets greener
Muscat: A bold green vision is taking root high in the mountains of Oman. dusitD2 Naseem Resort in Al Jabal Al Akhdar has unveiled a unique sustainability initiative to plant 200 olive trees – each a living symbol of peace and renewal – transforming the 'Green Mountain' into an even greener, more meaningful retreat for guests and the environment alike. Nestled over 2,000 metres above sea level, dusitD2 Naseem Resort is no stranger to crisp mountain air and immersive eco-experiences. But its latest initiative goes beyond luxury and landscape – it's about legacy. In a pioneering move to blend sustainability with guest participation, the resort has launched an 'Own an Olive Tree' programme, inviting visitors to adopt olive trees for a donation. Each tree will carry the name of its donor, who will also receive a bottle of olive oil every year for five years. 'This mountain is called Al Jabal Al Akhdar, which literally means 'The Green Mountain',' said Jagdeip Thakral, General Manager of dusitD2 Naseem Resort. 'Our vision is to honour that name not just in spirit, but in action – by making it even greener through this meaningful initiative.' A symbol of peace and personal legacy The olive tree has long been a universal symbol of peace and harmony. Thakral believes that empowering guests to personally 'own' such a tree will deepen their connection to the land and to the values of sustainability. 'This is more than just planting trees – it's about planting hope, peace and purpose,' Thakral said. 'Each tree will serve as a reminder that even as a traveller, you can leave behind something lasting and beautiful.' Donors will receive regular updates on their tree's growth and are welcome to visit the resort to check on it in person, take photos, and share their experience. Guests who contribute larger donations will also enjoy added perks – including complimentary stays or wellness experiences. 'The idea is to create emotional ownership,' Thakral added. 'You're not just a guest anymore – you're a guardian of the mountain.' From olives to significant impact The project builds upon the resort's existing grove of 37 olive trees, which currently yields around 600kg of olives annually. With 200 trees in place, the harvest is projected to exceed 4,000kg – a significant leap in both output and impact. The initiative is part of Dusit Hotels & Resorts' global Tree of Life programme, which encourages sustainable action and eco-friendly guest engagement at each of its properties. The Jabal Akhdar project is one of its most ambitious to date. 'We're not just planting trees – we're cultivating a legacy,' said Thakral. 'We want our guests to leave a part of themselves here and return to see it thrive.' Greening the grounds: More than just olives The resort also plans to plant an additional 50 flowering and fruit-bearing trees, including bougainvillea, oleander, and the fragrant night queen, transforming the wadi that runs through the resort into a blossoming valley of colour and scent. Large trees will be placed around concrete areas to improve shade and aesthetics, creating an all-season green environment throughout the property. 'These aren't just landscaping decisions – they're part of a larger wellness ecosystem,' Thakral said. 'The greenery, the scents, the colours – they all play a role in how our guests feel. Our goal is year-round shade, blooms, and life.' When adventure meets wellness Adding to its green goals, dusitD2 Naseem is launching Jabal Akhdar's first-ever padel court, offering guests the chance to play one of the world's fastest-growing sports at high altitude. 'At 2,000 metres above sea level, it's a court with a view – and a statement,' said Thakral. 'We're promoting an active, healthy lifestyle, and padel is the perfect blend of social fun and fitness. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned player, playing padel at this altitude is something truly unique.' The court adds to the resort's 8,000 sqm adventure park, enhancing its reputation as a destination that combines wellness, play, and purpose in equal measure. 'We want to redefine what a mountain getaway can be,' Thakral added. 'Whether it's through wellness, adventure, or sustainability, our aim is to offer experiences that are fresh, engaging, and rooted in purpose.' More to come The resort is also working on developing a rose garden and offering eco-tours for guests to explore its green zones, from olive groves to fruit orchards. 'Our vision is to make dusitD2 Naseem not just a place to stay, but a destination where guests connect – with nature, with community, and with themselves,' Thakral said.
