By Omar El Sayed – World Editor
From Van Life to a 400-Year-Old Spanish Ruin
Six years ago, Kasia and Arek packed their belongings, left Poland, and began traveling between Portugal and Spain without a fixed return date in search of a life near the ocean. They lived in a van for several years.
Initially, they avoided northern Spain because of the cold and rain. But Kasia explored the region alone in a van and eventually convinced Arek to join her in the countryside, according to Blick.
The couple bought a 400-year-old stone house in northern Spain and decided to tackle the renovation themselves. The house and the neighbouring buildings had stood empty for a long time. That abandonment turned the property into a habitat for rodents.
Discovering a Multi-Decade Rodent Hotel Inside Thick Walls
“Schnell stellte sich heraus, dass das Problem deutlich grosser war, als wir angenommen hatten,” the couple told the Polish newspaper Fakt, as reported by Blick.
The full extent of the infestation became clear when they removed loose stones from a 70-centimetre-thick wall. “Über Jahrzehnte hatten die Ratten Gänge in den Lehm zwischen den Steinen gegraben und sich in unseren Wänden ein regelrechtes Hotel eingerichtet,” Arek told Fakt, according to Blick.
Dismantling the Wall Reveals a Tunnel Network of Food and Rodents
What started as minor repair work turned into a major construction site requiring them to completely dismantle the wall. Behind the stones lay a tunnel network stuffed with corn, grain, nuts, and large quantities of rat droppings, Blick reported.
Kasia and Arek caught the live animals and removed them instead of killing them. One persistent rodent required peanut butter, a bowl, and fishing line to catch, and the couple named it “Final Boss,” Blick reported.
Combating Moisture With Breathable Lime Plaster
Moisture and dampness presented another obstacle in the rainy northern Spanish climate. The couple used breathable lime plaster to combat mould while preserving the historic character of the building, and they handled the handiwork themselves, according to Blick.
“Wir möchten dieses Haus so gut wie möglich restaurieren. An der Qualität wollen wir nicht sparen,” Arek stated, as reported by Blick.
Neighbours Assist with the Renovation Despite Structural Challenges
Despite the structural challenges and the shock of the rodent infestation, the couple reported no regrets. Neighbours in the small village of 20 residents welcomed them, lent them tools, and assisted with the renovation progress, Blick noted.
