Volunteer in the countryside of central Portugal in a family run farm.
Country: Portugal
Last Activity: 17/05/2013
Description
Hi! We are looking for people to stay with us for about 3 weeks (or possibly longer).
We live in the countryside of central Portugal on a farm that already belonged to my great-grandparents. In 1999, after having been abandoned for 25 years, my parents José (79) and Anita (69) started to rebuild it. With the birth of our son Matias (2 1/2 years), I Gabriela (33- Portuguese) and my husband Adam (37- German), moved into the old part of the house.
At the moment the farm produces mainly for self-consumption and that includes fruit, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, wine, cheese and, as my parents are not vegetarians, meat. We have 5 dogs, 8 cats, chicken, ducks, goats, sheep, rabbits, pigs and a horse.
We live in the countryside of central Portugal on a farm that already belonged to my great-grandparents. In 1999, after having been abandoned for 25 years, my parents José (79) and Anita (69) started to rebuild it. With the birth of our son Matias (2 1/2 years), I Gabriela (33- Portuguese) and my husband Adam (37- German), moved into the old part of the house.
At the moment the farm produces mainly for self-consumption and that includes fruit, vegetables, nuts, olive oil, wine, cheese and, as my parents are not vegetarians, meat. We have 5 dogs, 8 cats, chicken, ducks, goats, sheep, rabbits, pigs and a horse.
Area
Coimbra and Center
Type of work
Animal care,Farming,
General Maintenance,
Babysitting / child care,
Building,
Gardening
Work
We would like you to help us for around 4-5 hours per day. In the summer, work has to be done mainly in the early mornings and/or late afternoons because of the hot weather, unless there would be the possibility of doing something on a very sheltered place ie. in the woods. We would also like that there is no work on at least two days of the week. We have two bikes that you can use any time you want.
We can have breakfast and lunch together (ovo-lacto-vegetarian diet). However, because of bed time for Matias, we would like you to have dinner on your own. You can have produce from the farm like eggs, cheese, meat, fruit, veg and jam and we would also buy you basics like bread, rice, pasta, sugar…but you would have to buy your own luxury goods e.g. chocolate, crisps, cookies, beer or shampoo. We go into town for shopping once a week.
We always need help with gardening (planting, sowing, weeding, digging). At the moment we want to build some simple gates (for fences) from eucalypt shoots and a dry stone wall on the veg. garden. My parents could need help with the animals if you would want to do that, especially at night if there is lambs which need to be bottle fed. Soon there will be a lot of work in establishing an orchard of ca. one hectare. If you like to cook, you are also welcome to prepare a meal once in a while. We can also always need help with childcare as we like to bring Matias to do work with us.
We can have breakfast and lunch together (ovo-lacto-vegetarian diet). However, because of bed time for Matias, we would like you to have dinner on your own. You can have produce from the farm like eggs, cheese, meat, fruit, veg and jam and we would also buy you basics like bread, rice, pasta, sugar…but you would have to buy your own luxury goods e.g. chocolate, crisps, cookies, beer or shampoo. We go into town for shopping once a week.
We always need help with gardening (planting, sowing, weeding, digging). At the moment we want to build some simple gates (for fences) from eucalypt shoots and a dry stone wall on the veg. garden. My parents could need help with the animals if you would want to do that, especially at night if there is lambs which need to be bottle fed. Soon there will be a lot of work in establishing an orchard of ca. one hectare. If you like to cook, you are also welcome to prepare a meal once in a while. We can also always need help with childcare as we like to bring Matias to do work with us.
Languages spoken
English, Portuguese and German
Accommodation
We can accommodate 1 person up to a small family in a separate house that consists of 1 double bedroom, 1 living-room/kitchenet (fully furnished) with a sofa-bed for 2, and 1 toilet with shower. There is the possibility to use the washing machine. There is a fire place but no other heating system. Electric heating can be arranged for infants or when being sick in bed. We also have a small caravan (QEK Junior) that is far away from the farm buildings if you prefer a closer contact with nature. There is bed linnen and towels. Also, you can check your e-mails at my parents´ office.
What else ...
The farm is very close to a small village where you can find a small convenience shop and café.
Sertã, a town of ca. 5000 inhabitants, is about 8 km far away. Apart from the high street shops and the market, there are two supermarkets, the county library, a swimming pool, river beach, a small cinema, bus station (buses going to Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto), post office and a health center.
In another town, also about 10 km far away, there is an adventure sports and tourism company if you like canoeing, mountain biking, hiking, or abseiling.
Sertã, a town of ca. 5000 inhabitants, is about 8 km far away. Apart from the high street shops and the market, there are two supermarkets, the county library, a swimming pool, river beach, a small cinema, bus station (buses going to Lisbon, Coimbra, Porto), post office and a health center.
In another town, also about 10 km far away, there is an adventure sports and tourism company if you like canoeing, mountain biking, hiking, or abseiling.
My Photo Album
Click to enlarge
Host ref number: 117842918879
Feedback left about host
It was the my/our first work away experience and it was perfect . I want to say intimately Gabi and Adam are such generous persons . They did not push us any time to work. The work was variously, and the food was everyday very tasteful. Watering the garden in the evening was a really nice thing to do. They were very open, and if we were in need of more
Linda and Lillian are excellent, A+++++ workawayers!! They are lovely girls and were always willing to help us with everything we needed. They were responsible for watering the vegetable garden (during the hot summer months of Portugal), sieving compost, weeding, mulching and they also planted and sowed some vegetables.
Besides the regular work more
Besides the regular work more
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