Garden and home help on a small quinta in Vilela, Central Portugal while slowing down and connect with nature.

Details

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  Description

  Hello,
  
  My name is Jurrie (65). I’m originally from The Netherlands but live in the Beiras/Central Portugal full time for more than 15 years. Recently sold our holiday park where we have hosted many volunteers over the years (see reviews until 2023). Now moved over to another in Vilela, a beautiful small homestead of 0,5 hectares where I want to have a simple, relaxed “retired” life connected with nature together with my young dog Rex and an old cat Stimpie. Over here I would like to continue being a host for volunteers during most months of the year
  
  I’m a sociable, very down to earth and open-minded person trying to live as most self-sufficient and free as possible. I love to work and be active outside but also love to have time to relax, reflect and (learn to) do absolutely nothing. One my passions is food and I love to end the day with a good honest meal and a good glass of wine.
  
  My goal for the coming years is to give this new place my own twist by transforming the four upper terraces of this Quinta (forest damaged by the bg fire of 2017) step by step into a small-scale food forest garden full of biodiversity, flowers, insects and birds. That is why I am looking for volunteers with a shared passion for nature & gardening who want to make their own contribution to this longer term project.
  
  I consider Workaway as a social, intercultural exchange program. It’s not to receive “cheap labour” in return for a “cheap holiday”. For me it’s about sharing while working, laughing, learning vice versa, interaction and - to be short- having a mutually beneficial experience.
  
  Warm regards :)

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Elderly Companionship

  Gardening

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Volunteers of all backgrounds and orientations from all over the world are invited to spend quality time in this nice, authentic area of Portugal.
  Open to share my knowledge of land management and growing vegetables and fruits in Portugal.
  I also love to share my experience and the do's and don'ts of starting a living and (tourism) business in Portugal as an immigrant.

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  Help

  In good consultation we will define a flexible combination of chores that will fit with your preferences, capabilities and experiences. In general, these jobs for the coming months could be:
  
  • Help with gardening (planting, weeding, watering, mowing, harvesting, composting etc,) rewilding a few zones, redesign/landscaping and other first preparations to make a food forest garden on the upper terraces (cleaning, fencing. water harvesting, soil preparation/mulching etc.).
  • Help to transform an already existing very nice wooden annex (see foto) into a cozy and comfortable 15sqm Tiny Guest House (designing, painting in-/outside, decorating, furnishing etc).
  • Painting other annexes, entrance gate, sauna and a small guest sanitary building.
  • Various tasks in- and outside the main house including cleaning, decoration to give it a finishing touch, general maintenance and upgrading.
  • Long walks in the neighbourhood with my young and energetic dog Rex and help to train him.
  • House- and pet sitting during short periods, giving me the opportunity to visit family and friends.
  
  If you have specific skills that could be beneficial for these chores, please let me know!
  
  
  .

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Dutch: Fluent
  German: Intermediate
  Portuguese: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  My house is a spacious, sustainable and all year round comfortable Scandiavian loghouse. Until the Tiny Guest House in the garden is ready for use, I can offer you a comfortable private guest room in this main house with a good double bed.
  
  Full access to a traditional Finnish sauna and an area with spa bath & steamer.
  
  I am responsible to provide regular, simple but honest food & drinks. My well equipped kitchen is available to prepare your own breakfast and lunch. Main evening meals can be prepared together or in turns. I’m looking forward to exchange recipes/new dishes to broaden food horizons. For me food is above of all one of the fun things in life, not fuel. I’m an omnivore but have no problem at all to adept to a vegetarian preference as long as you don’t mind me eating meat or fish sometimes. Also can adept to eventual allergies, but sorry I can’t cater for strict vegan or raw diets.

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  What else ...

  My preference is host mature volunteers who are available for a month or longer.
  
  You have to be aware of the fact that I live in a quiet and relatively remote area. An ideal place for people who also want to slow down and (re-)connect with nature, a disaster for people looking for exuberant holiday entertainment.
  
  I will keep in mind that you will be here to discover Portugal and therefore shall fully respect the agreement to work 5 days a week/20 effective hour a week. I’m open to approach this on a very flexible way, so that you also will have sufficient time to schedule some more day trips/long weekends to explore the country.
  
  Your privacy and safety will be guaranteed, I expect the same vice versa.
  
  Nearest cities are Oliveira do Hospital and Tábua, both on a 8 kilometers distance. Vilela is centrally situated in the Dão-region, a big green area that is enclosed by the Serra Estrela in the East (25 km), the Serra Açor in the South (20 km) and the Serra de Caramulo in the West (30 km). The area is also dominated by two rivers, the Rio Mondego and the Rio Alva.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  Good speed WiFi by fibre available so suitable for volunteers who also work online.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Can recieve volunteers with their own mobile home or van. Electricity hook up and separate shower & toilet available.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Yes , but this needs to be discussed.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4 effective hours a day, 5 days a week/Flexible planning.

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