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Integrate into this vibrant local community and help me develop this beautiful place in Macas de Dona Maria, Portugal

Portugal
Favourited 233 times
Last activity: 5 Apr 2023

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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
5 Apr 2023
Feedback
21
Email verified

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Availability

2024

Min stay requested: at least a week

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Description
I am renovating a 300 year old house and clearing the eucalyptus trees and reconstructing the gardens. I am also establishing a campsite retreat for yoga and meditation. There is the usual harvesting of oranges, peaches, olives and chestnuts for our own table or exchange with neighbours. I also have a small kitchen garden. I would greatly appreciate your help across the project. The work ranges from heavy manual duties for the building and land management to lighter for the garden. This place is by its nature a place of rest and peace so we strive for a good balance.

Later, I hope to create an artist cabin in its own ground, for sculptors, painters and ceramicists. I am British but now live in Portugal and am learning the language and actively involved in the local community. I play guitar and enjoy playing music with friends locally. I enjoy interesting conversations about concepts and philosophy and believe laughter is essential to all our lives.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are integrated into this vibrant local community, we regularly perform with local musicians and weekly gatherings.
Help
Mowing and weeding, general maintenance and some heavy manual work in clearing the site for building the house. We encourage rustic art and want this to be part of our project.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Portuguese: Beginner
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.
Accommodation
Comfortable yurt in the olive grove with double bed, fly screens, solar lighting and charge point for phones. Compost toilet and solar shower. All meals whilst on site Vegan. Always tasty and fresh and I try for local and fresh ingredients as much as I can.
What else ...
Transport can be provided locally for train and bus stations.
Good parking on site.
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
I have ample parking for small campervans, the site is not suitable for larger or taller vans or trucks or caravans. I am happy to discuss specifics. I do ot offer power as the parking area is off grid, but I have use of solar showers and compost toilet.
Can possibly accept pets
Subject to the type and nature of the pet, I can accommodate pets. Please contact me in advance to discuss your requirements.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 4-5 days a week

Host ref number: 468628232818

Feedback (10)

27 Nov 2022

Left by Workawayer (Merc23) for host

As an experience it was unforgettable. very nice place, nice safe. well the same with the host gary, excellent! In addition, something that was very important to me was the subject of food. Vegan Gary, we cook a lot, plus I learned nine vegan recipes 😋 I get a lot of points. We also had the experience of exchanging languages (English to… read more

(Host cancelled stay at the last minute)

24 Nov 2022

Left by host for Workawayer (Merc23)

Mercedes arrived as a last minute workaway. She is a hard worker, happily and conscientiously helping with all work, from manual building to baking delicious biscuits, walking Maddy and Chika and helping me learn Portuguese. It was a delight to host Mercedes and the dogs adored her and she them. She is welcome to visit again whenever she wishes… read more

(Excellent )

24 Nov 2022

Left by host for Workawayer (Bethan)

Bethen is a perfect workawayer: she is a conscientious and pro-active worker. She adored Maddy and Chika (my dog and puppy) and they loved walks and cuddles with her. as a substantive individual with a mature intellect we enjoyed interesting and varied conversation and lots of laughter.
It was a pleasure host Bethen and Sereno Olival is all the… read more

(Excellent )

23 Nov 2022

Left by Workawayer (Bethan) for host

I had an incredible time staying with Gary and can't recommend it enough. The yurt is very comfortable and the surroundings are beyond beautiful, don't forget to look up at the stars on a clear night! Gary makes what is expected of you work wise very clear and is very fair with those expectations. In your free time you will enjoy great… read more

(Excellent )

10 Apr 2022

Left by host for Workawayer (Thomas)

It was a pleasure to host Tom. he was a good worker, has skills and learned quickly. Tom is also good company and fitted in with he house rules. Tom is welcome to return whenever he is in the area and I recommend him for any activities he wishes to undertake. Enjoy the journey Tom....
Very best regards
Gary

(Excellent )

2 Apr 2022

Left by Workawayer (Thomas) for host

Staying with Gary for 10 days was a very enjoyable and worthwhile experience. He is an interesting guy with a good heart and always makes an effort to have different and thought provoking conversations.

The work varies from day to day depending on what needs to get done and the weather but I always had something to keep me occupied and learnt… read more

(Excellent )

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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)

Cultural exchange:
(5.0)

Communication:
(5.0)

27 Nov 2022

Left by Workawayer (Merc23) for host

(Host cancelled stay at the last minute)

24 Nov 2022

Left by host for Workawayer (Merc23)

(Excellent )

24 Nov 2022

Left by host for Workawayer (Bethan)

(Excellent )

23 Nov 2022

Left by Workawayer (Bethan) for host

(Excellent )

10 Apr 2022

Left by host for Workawayer (Thomas)

(Excellent )

2 Apr 2022

Left by Workawayer (Thomas) for host

(Excellent )

14 Feb 2021

Left by host for Workawayer (Lise)

Lise was a complete delight to host, happy in the environment despite the cold and rain. She worked hard and in the rain and was a joy to talk to. Erudite with a wonderful aesthetic for music and art, Lise was great company and caring for Maddy. Lise is welcome to visit Sereno Olival whenever she wishes.

Thank Lise for your help, enjoy your… read more

(Excellent )

11 Feb 2021

Left by Workawayer (Lise) for host

I really enjoyed my week with Gary ! The project is very nice there is a lot to do. Gary makes sure you are confortable and that you have everything you need. He's a very open-minded person and you can talk about everything with him. He always has some funny stories to tell. I slept in a cozy yurt near to olive trees. Because of the rain there… read more

(Excellent )

14 Oct 2020

Left by Workawayer (Gerald) for host

Garry was a very good, easy going host.
From the first moment I felt welcomed.
The work I enjoyed, I started my day when I was ready. Sometime at 10, some other day at 11 o clock.
Great place! 😁👍👍👍

(Excellent )

12 Oct 2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Gerald)

It was a joy to host Gerald. He is great company and excellent conversationist and energetic worker. his skills are good and his contribution was generous and greatly appreciated.
Happy to host him again and to recommend him to any potential host. Thank you Gerald. Best wishes for enjoyable onward travel.

(Excellent )

12 Oct 2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Henri)

Henri was a great help in the eat of the summer. His energy and positive attitude is a joy to encounter. Together with wide and in-depth skills it is easy to say thank you for your great company and excellent skilful work.

(Excellent )

14 May 2020

Left by Workawayer (Pierre) for host

In November 2019 I visited and worked for Gary at his beautiful and lusciously green location. The day I arrived I felt lucky to be there.
Gary is an extremely kind and welcoming person which was appreciated as it was my first Workaway experience.
Gary was keen for me to experience a slice of Portuguese culture going to local festas and taking… read more

(Excellent )

22 Nov 2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Pierre)

It was a joy to host Pierre. He is a willing and good worker and very good company, he fitted in with the regime and the house rules and got on with everybody. Pierre is innovative and capable, he loves to learn and have new experiences. It was a pleasure to hear him play guitar and he is a great conversationalist.
I will happily welcome Pierre… read more

(Excellent )

2 May 2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Alex)

It was a delight to host Alex. He fitted in to this environment very well, worked without needing supervision and was a pro-active helper across all activities. Our conversations were varied and interesting. Alex being here was of great benefit to the project and I enjoyed his company. Despite being here during the coldest time of the year he… read more

(Excellent )

3 Feb 2020

Left by Workawayer (Alex) for host

I had a lovely time staying with Gary. It was very easy to communicate with him before staying - he was really helpful in explaining the living situation and making sure I'd be comfortable, even before I met him. I had a cosy Yurt to myself in the garden, with plenty of blankets for when it got cold at night (it was January so still winter!) but… read more

(Excellent )

29 Nov 2019

Left by host for Workawayer (franandkas)

It was a delight to host Fran and Kas. They volunteered with me for 4 months: keeping the place clean and tidy and looking after the cats whilst I was away. Kas and Fran are at the beginning of their new life in Portugal and as capable, intelligent and caring people, I know they will be fine. Accordingly, I wholeheartedly recommend both Fran and… read more

(Excellent )

29 Nov 2019

Left by Workawayer (franandkas) for host

Gary was our first workaway host and we were with him for a very long period of time (4 months). He is a very generous and open-minded individual who provided us with a great start in Portugal, giving us a sense of home away from home. He’s happy to help in absolutely anyway he can, for example; we’ve had car troubles multiple times and he helped… read more

(Excellent )

29 Jul 2019

Left by Workawayer (Chiaki) for host

I stayed at this project for four days and it was the wonderful first Workaway experience for me. Gary is a very kind and friendly host. He took me to local market and get to meet lovey local people.He also took me to river when it got very hot in the day time. Work was not hard at all, I wish I could help him more so I would come back to help him… read more

(Excellent )

28 Jul 2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Chiaki)

It was a pleasure to host Chiaki, She is friendly and helpful and willing to work. She Fitted in with the ethos and the activities and is interesting and polite in conversation. She brings a calm confidence to her work and is a productive do’er. I am happy to recommend Chiaki and wish her well with all her onward travels and further adventures. I… read more

(Excellent )

5 Jul 2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Anna)

It was a delight hosting Anna, she worked unsupervised, gardening, planting weeding and generally improving the place by here preasence.. The cats loved her. I am happy to welcome Anna back at anytime.

(Excellent )

4 Jul 2019

Left by Workawayer (Anna) for host

A beautiful space and a great project in its early stages.The host is kind, laid back interesting and a good cook.The yurt was lovely in the olive grove with the wonderful birdsong and the cute ginger cats. The village is a walk Up,but a fab walk down ! So happy I went there.

(Excellent )

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Integrate into this vibrant local community and help me develop this beautiful place in Macas de Dona Maria, Portugal

Profile information

Host rating

Last replied

Feedback

Email verified

Badges (2)

Find your perfect host

Availability

Details

Description

Types of help and learning opportunities

Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

Help

Languages

Accommodation

What else ...

A little more information

Can host digital nomads

Space for parking camper vans

Can possibly accept pets

How many Workawayers can stay?

Hours expected

Feedback (10)

Photos

Feedback