Volunteer with land maintenance and restoration in Central Portugal
Description
My name is Steve, english and 47yrs old. I have bought a quinta/farm in the mountains of Central Portugal in a protected nature reserve close to the river Zezere. My father had a peach farm in Cyprus when I was younger so I have been waiting to do this project for a long time! I searched over France and Greece for the right land and Portugal really is nice. Every month the environment changes and it's quite exciting. I started in Jan 2007. I have no family of my own.
Area
Central Portugal
Type of work
Farming,General Maintenance,
Cooking / shopping,
Building,
Gardening
Work
The land has olive trees (three groves) containing about 80 trees. Grapevines, loads of different fruit trees and medronho which is a strawberry looking fruit that is left to ferment over three months when picked in Oct/Nov/Dec to make a pretty strong liqueur. Right now there is land clearance to do, lime pointing on walls, stone walls to repair, slate flooring to lay down, more grape vines/posts to plant, vegetable planting and olive picking right now. Lots to do and plenty to learn.
Languages spoken
English, Intermediate French and basic portuguese.
Accommodation
The choices are:Motorhome that has two double beds and no table or one double and a table area.A lovely stone walled room adjacent to the house, limewashed with double bed and log burner. Or a a double bed in the lounge/house. Or a tent that is up and running.
What else ...
I eat everything and would like to learn and eat vegetarian if you are vegetarian. The coach arrives in Oleiros which is about 17kms away and I'm happy to pick you up in my truck. There is a washroom with toilet, sink and shower. Running water; hot and cold.
My Photo Album
Click to enlarge
Host ref number: 6249722744b8
Feedback left about host
I almost can't believe that the time to say goodbye is here. It really snuck up on me and I am ill-prepared!! It has been an AMAZING time here - thank you Steve. I leave with the fondest of memories and the hope that I will visit again soon. You have been an incredible host, even on those days that you weren't your usual, jolly self (but we know more
Lee was fun to have around. She also bonded well with other helpers I had at the same time. She would do what was asked and has a positive outlook on life. Good luck on your travels Lee and with future hosts.
Steve's Quinta is in beautiful place in the mountains with stunning views. I really liked the ideas he has for the place. Steve is a good host and has integrated himself into the culture, picking olives with a Portuguese family and having lunch and dinner with them is an experience i will not forget. I felt i experienced more of Portugal in the more
Rhys and his girlfriend Lucy were very good workers. Rhys worked on building a stone wall which he put alot of effort into while Lucy helped me on the land doing various jobs like shifting soil, clearing brambles. Lucy is pretty strong and I was pretty surprised. Rhys wanted to return and finish the wall and I'm looking forward to seeing the final more
Helping Steve make small steps to his dreams is one of the most inspiring things you can do. Firstly, the work we have done was between challenging and annoying, because we had to handle big piles of rotten wood and stingy bushes during a land clearing and further things. For example the "pointing" of some walls or repairing a stone wall. We had more
I was very lucky to meet Thomas and Linda. They are both young and very positive people. They were my first German helpers, stayed for 4 weeks and I was very pleased with the help they gave me. They adapted well, did the hours and I am pleased they came away happy with the experience they had here. Any host will be lucky to have them. All the best more
Steve goes out of his way to make you feel at home. I saw a lot of the surrounding countryside and mingled with the locals. The work is not difficult, and I even learned a couple gardening and construction skills. I recommend it to every workawayer passing through Portugal, especially since it is off the tourist track and offers a genuine more
Geoff is a pleasant chap to have around. He was well mannered and did the daily work exactly as asked. I wish him well with his Portuguese trip.
Excellent worker! Angelika worked hard and well within the team. The work was not easy and she never gave up. A very calm, thoughtful and interesting person and I hope she has finished her knitting. Not sure what she was making but it was long!
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