Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
18 Jan 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
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Details
Description
Hi there, we are Emma and River two English folk of mature years living on a terraced hillside of olive trees, bottoming down to a mixed woodland of Chestnut and Walnut and a swirling meandering stream as our border.
We are trying to generally follow ecological principles and be as sustainable as we can. We value the peaceful tranquillity of the land most of all, and we like to offer a space for people, friends to relax and chill-out away from their busy lives.
We enjoy being completely off-grid with a mixture of solar and hydro power, but we do have internet to keep us in touch.
We have a goat called Gracie, who is retired and 'keeps us on our toes' and provides us with manure for the garden. We also have a 3 year old dog called Grelo. Both Gracie and Grelo need regular walks.
We have a lot of land, some which still needs clearing, and currently we are getting our beds ready for planting vegetables, weeding, making new borders, raised beds, adding compost and manure etc. and during the hot summer there is lots of watering that needs to be done to keep all our plants alive.
There are some special places, particularly near the stream where we would like to create beautiful sitting spaces to reflect and simply be.
We have accommodation in a simple little rustic stone barn with small balcony, and Emma makes excellent vegetarian food.
We are both drawn to a meditative life, combined with work out in the garden. Mostly its about finding a balance between the two.
Although we are remotely situated, there is a thriving alternative community in the surrounding hills and valleys providing opportunities to participate in various activities, such as shared work days, singing, markets and various group activities etc.
We live between two villages, both about a 20 minute walk away, one of which has a bar/café offering food and drinks. We welcome those who might enjoy a simple outdoor life working in Nature. We ask that our volunteers work/help out for roughly 5 hrs a day with weekends free. There are some lovely walks for volunteers in their time off, and we have a small natural pool for a very cool dip in hot weather. Lots of river beaches too if you want to go for a swim. Summer temps can be high 30's.
Looking forward to meeting you and sharing days together.
River & Emma
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
There is always the mystery of meeting someone new. We have both travelled a lot in our earlier life. Emma is good at languages, and River has a thirst for knowledge and new adventures. Both of us love 'meditating with the body' a radical but gentle way of awakening to our true nature.
Help
, Land clearing, help in making a vegetable garden, weeding, composting, gardening, watering. Goat and dog walking, and creative landscaping and help with cooking for those with culinary experience. Love to have somebody with basic carpentry skills.The land is fairly steep, so we need fit volunteers.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
Portuguese: Intermediate
Accommodation
We have a small one room schist stone house with small balcony, wood stove and one ring calor gas for tea/coffee making. You have your own compost loo on the veranda, with basic washing facilities. But the bathroom in the main house can be used for showers. The sound of running water is everywhere.
What else ...
Plenty to do on time off. Transition Town type activities. Swimming, meditation, yoga, choir, walking on the shisto trails, community work days once a month open mike and local musicians playing.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
5 hours with weekends free
Feedback (13)
But with… read more
Almost all have been said already. You will be very confortable in the cosy… read more
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But with… read more
Almost all have been said already. You will be very confortable in the cosy… read more
I helped to walk Gracie along with their new puppy Greillo, and did a range of gardening tasks such as… read more
We feel we really got to know them a bit, and they to us too. We hope that they will return to us in the… read more
Their quinta is lovely, very quiet and secluded, in the midst of a protected forest area so lots of green in all shades and forms. In the one and half year I have been volunteering this was my first truely off grid… read more
