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Area: Baixo Alentejo, Portugal

We are running a smallholding in the Southern reaches of the Alentejo. It is a dry climate with poor soil and depopulation, in an relatively remote area of Ecological reserve. Our house consists of guest accommodation (self catering) and our rooms, fields for the horses and a barn. Our aim is to improve the area as much as possible and maintain the house and gardens to a high standard. We are also interested in eco-projects, such as using recycling and natural products to work the land.

Area: Coimbra and Center

We are a Dutch couple and we run a small guesthouse in the centre of Portugal directly bordering the river Mondego. We are open all year round to receive guests and on request we serve our guests breakfast and dinner. We have about 6 ha. of forest, 62 olive trees, a few flowerbeds and we grow our own fruit and vegetables. We are looking for people who would like to work and stay with us for a while. Preferably couples, but singles are also welcome. We offer: - accommodation, breakfast (to be taken individually; cornflakes/muesli, milk, juice, coffee, tea and sugar), lunch and dinner - enough time to discover Portugal - friendly atmosphere - use of kayaks, mountainbikes and swimming pool We ask: - 5 hours of work a day, 5 days a week - you to be able to work alone at times - a happy face

Area: Penamacor Central Portugal

We recently bought a Quinta in Central Portugal with 270 olive trees and lots of vines plus peaches, pears figs, apples, oranges and more. We have inherited the farm dog and 6 laying hens plus several ferral cats! We have also adopted a stray puppy and have 2 ducks. We have been busy planting a large vegetable patch and herb garden using companion planting techniques wherever possible and currently have cabbages, lettuce, beetroot, peppers, winter spinach, radishes, turnips, beans, broad beans, peas, onions, garlic and more being planted as the weather permits. - our garden is an ongoing project so anyone with organic gardening/permaculture experience would be especially welcome. We have 3 buildings to renovate but have started with the one that is in best condition preparing it for habitation during the winter months. We have just installed our first solar panels. We can provide a comfortable roof tent with mattress and bedding plus compost toilet. We have a large kitchen area which we will be working on as well so anyone with tiling and rendering expertise would also be welcome! We have lots of work to do but initially we are looking for 1 or 2 strong and able helpers with carpentry/building experience or skills to come and help us from end of March to help with the kitchen and outside platform. We ask for a minimum stay of a week and currently we are not looking for long term helpers so as we are not really ready accommodation-wise for that. We are walking distance from the village and 5 minutes drive from Penamacor where there is a grocery store. 30 minutes away is Castelo Branco a large town and Fundao another lovely town is around 20 minutes away. We do have a good mountain bike that can be used but if you have your own vehicle it would be much better and give you more freedom to explore the area as the local transport system in our rural area is not that good. We have a good telephone and internet signal and I have a wireless dongle with unlimited internet. If you think you might be interested get in touch and I can give more info.

Area: Alentejo

In Oct 2009 I acquired a renovated farmhouse which has nearly 8 acres of land with beautiful views situated near Marvao. The land is varied & consists of terraces, some flat & rocky areas with 320 olive trees, cork & fruit trees, vineyard, 4 bullrush ponds, stream and plenty of space for the chickens, ducks, goats, sheep, pigs and donkeys I plan to keep. Some of the Jobs that need doing are:- ~ painting inside & outside of house ~ Help keep the land clear ~ weeding of flower area ~ build a safe pen for ducks & geese. ~ create a colourful garden that can cope with dry weather ~ start a vegetable garden ~ watering plants ~ clear out the ponds ~ restore stone walls ~ lay paths & create steps ~ restore & thatch chossa (outhouse) ~ build fencing & gates ~ Nov/Dec I will need help again with picking the olives pruning the trees.. ~ and a whole host of other things that I haven't thought of..... yet! What has worked well is that we all share the tasks of cooking & clearing up afterwards and the basics of keeping the house clean. I have a huge interest in dog / animal behaviour and training & have spent many happy years attending courses, seminars & conferences in the UK, America and Belgium learning from many inspiring & wonderful people. I'd now like to find the time for us to have fun putting into practice what I've learnt! Anyone coming to stay would need to be happy to spend time in very quiet peaceful surroundings (the Algarve this is not! Hence, no discos or heaving sardine packed bars!!). There are however lots of places of interest to visit, beautiful walks, quiet roads for cycling and a very eclectic, friendly & sociable international community. It is important that sometimes you are able to work independently & with initiative. I will be happy to show you around the area & include you in any social events but I do appreciate people who are also comfortable with & able to entertain & amuse themselves!! Experience has taught me that a minimum 2 weeks stay works best. I'm also open to people staying for longer periods of several months and already have one Helpxer friend who is coming back to do so for the winter period in October. I am Dutch but English is my first language having lived most of my life in England. I'm currently working hard to learn Portuguese and brushing up my Dutch, French and German! If you are learning languages I have lots of language resources & would be happy to language 'buddy' with you. A non-smoker, enjoy wine & good conversation accompanied with tasty food. Eclectic taste in music (but I have an aversion to most Opera though!) and dance**. On recent visits to the UK I bought some African drums but as yet have not had chance to learn how to play them. Any HelpX djembe drumming teachers out there?. I now have 4 drums for jamming sessions. Accommodation consist of ensuite bedrooms or 2 very cosy caravans situated in the olive orchard. My current wonderful long stay Helpxers are planning on building themselves a treehouse. A belltent, tipi & yurt are planned for the future! There is of course plenty of space if you want to pitch up a tent or park up a small camper! ** As from March '11 I will be starting to teach dance classes & promoting dance in general as I was missing the extensive opportunities to dance that we have the luxury of in England. Guest teachers & dancers will be arriving to help my quest March - June so we will be having a lot of fun!! Styles of dance will include:- Modern Jive, Salsa, Lindy Hop and many more. I have a blog about my dance quest - dancinginportugal.blogspot.com This is intended to be a funny read, has photos & video clips and also info about things that are going on in the area. Facebook - Gecko Dance for Dancing in Portugal I am also a Helpx host & have lots of reviews on my profile there - host no. 6376. ADDITIONS TO THE FAMILY ~ 2nd April 2011 - 2 more lambs, a baby lop eared rabbit, 5 chicks, 3 teenage chickens and 4 goslings....... so no time to get bored!! ~ June 2nd '10- 'Titch' female kitten. Titch is a mouser-to-be and Elvis's adoring groupie. WE think she may be having a litter of kittens soon. ~ 17th April '10- hens & guinea fowl - much to the dogs & Elvis's amusement! ~ 26th Jan '10 we were joined by Tina (Turner) and Diana (Ross) the two Portuguese lambs who have been hand reared. ~ Dec '09 Elvis (December time) the rumbuctious rescue kitten who is still keeping all of us entertained with his antics.

Area: baixa alentejo/west-algarve

We are 2 life long friends of 37 years old, who started this project to create a self sustainable oasis along side the river: "Ribeira de Odeceixe" both for private as business purposes. We are developing a eco retreat & inspiration resort that we'll be used for many things but it's all about connecting with nature, ecology and self sustainability. We're situated 6 km's from the beach. We just started our 5th season of starting from nothing and we have now very specific things to do and we will request the help for longer periods and for specific tasks. This season we need a preferably a couple for our farm activities, this will involve, bio-dynamic gardening, keeping the farm tidy both inside and outside and animal care. Next to that we are looking for people who have experience in landscaping, making pathways, tiling, fencing so a bit of carpentry or masonry skills are required. This year we'll be working with a slightly smaller group in comparison to what we have done the last years with 25 pax and more. So expect to come into a group of more or less 10 persons. We'd love to hear from you!