property

. . . whilst this trip was not planned, with objectives to be obtained, goals gained, a narrative is emerging which may be explained . . . tentatively, since it is ongoing and planning always waits its chance to take control . . .

Attentive readers will have noted Portugal and the Dao were the direction of travel and, having come quite close to the northern border, I sped south to experience expat life in Andalucia, briefly. Properties have been observed and commented upon all along the way.

The original aim of A Place to Be was to create a retreat centre in the North Pennines of England, without any specific religious affiliation.

This evolved, with many supporters looking for an intentional community, based on those same principles, enriched by living in harmony with Nature, growing food using permaculture principles, creating new ways of being, doing and relating.

It also became clear that such places already exist, as models to inspire us, and that the interactive internet offers tools to enable progress wherever supporters feel drawn.

Findhorn, now over 50 years old, has been a particular inspiration.
The Foundation plays a leading role in the international eco-village network. Yet some friends find the price of courses, including the long running and life-changing Experience Week, expensive. Engagement with the local community has not been strong, though serious attempts are being made to redress this, with low cost programmes for local disaffected young people.
The ownership model of houses in the Park may be outdated too . . . properties are privately traded on the open market.

These observations are intended as experience to be built upon, not gratuitous criticism. Findhorn is still as near to a spiritual home as anywhere . . . except Stanhope, of course . . .

Many well-meaning projects have been launched by individuals or couples, which sets up a particular power dynamic. From experience, Gaunts House, near Wimborne is an example, with Richard Glyn unable to let go . . . displaying that fascinating combination of supreme confidence and emotional need typical of aristocrats sent to prep-school at an early age, denied the warmth of a mother's unconditional love, finished at Eton, with beating and buggary. Maybe.

Catherine at Les Chartels in the Pyrenees was a different example . . .a great project brought to its knees by a messy separation.

The APtB proposal is crowdfunding, to dilute the owner power, enable movement in and out to refresh projects and avoid the perils of one shareholder pulling down the project.

The potential for multiple investors contributing small amounts, and alternatives such as sweat equity, open things up for folks without large sums of money.

And participatory democracy, with ongoing personal and group development to raise the standard of governance past petty power playing, transcending ego . . . which, after all, is key spiritual work.

Private property, not to be confused with personal property, is a feature of capitalism and observations about wealthy expats sitting in sunny prisons come from empathy for their plight. Late stage capitalism, with resource inequalities accelerating alarmingly and financial instability inevitable, is ready to be transformed. Reconnecting with the earth, aligning with Nature, redesigning society around the three treasures: Compassion, Simplicity, Patience . . . dreaming of seeing those signs on gates and fences saying, "Private Property - Keep Out", replaced with new ones, decorated with smily faces and hearts perhaps, "Co-operative Property - Welcome."

There are such projects in the Algarve, away from the overpriced coast. Which may be underwater soon anyway.

Further north property is cheaper, opportunities for farms (quintas) which engage our international supporters and locals, the Portuguese people kind and hospitable . . . and many suffering under this current economic crisis, brought about by forces beyond national control - unless you're Iceland . . .

This historic dynamic between the hard-working chilly Northern Europe and the laid back South; between Britain and Portugal over centuries; economic migration northwards, holidays and retirement emigration southwards . . . power improperly imposed or assumed by the wealthy north . . . all ripe for change . . .

APtB has investors ready for Portugal; the North Pennines is ready for investors; the crowdfunding, co-operative model of contributing to the New Earth (not to be confused with the New World Order, which is being incubated in another dimension) . . . ready to prove itself in practice somewhere soon . . .

www.aptb.org.uk