Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
16 Jan 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 5 days
Feedback
10
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
Hi, we are Nuno and Karen, a Portuguese and English couple who met in England back in 2017. Nuno and I have recently retired, and as we are still fit and able, we decided to move from Central to Southern Portugal where we have converted a barn into our forever home.
The house is habitable but we need to paint the walls inside and out before the rainy season starts.
We are a very relaxed and caring couple who are looking forward to inviting energetic and enthusiastic couples, to mainly help with the painting. Although there is still work to do in the garden and the possibility of building an outdoor kitchen.
If this sounds of interest to you both, we look forward to hearing from you
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We have found the small village of Barbacena very welcoming and we often enjoy a mid-morning coffee in one of the local coffee shops. They also serve meals.
There is plenty of culture and history to explore. The nearby city of Elvas is very beautiful, the features of the castle/fortress are everywhere. There is public transport if needed. In addition, we are only 20 km from Badajoz on the Spanish border.
Nuno speaks fluently; English, Spanish, French and, of course, Portuguese. Alternatively, I only speak English, but I usually get by, lol!
Over the years we have both gained a variety of skills and knowledge, which we love sharing while learning new skills.
Nuno was a PE teacher when he first left school and is still very generous in sharing his knowledge and life skills. He has recently retired from counselling where he specialised in helping problem gamblers.
He now enjoys many things with pruning and DIY projects a couple of his loves. His DIY skills have certainly come in very helpful during the transformation of our barn. You will be inspired by what items he has repurposed and transformed.
I have gained skills throughout my life, from hospitality, sewing, social marketing, SEO, websites, cooking, cleaning and recently learning building skills, I can also use an angle grinder LOL! I have always been interested in yoga, meditation and mindfulness.
We are very receptive to learning new things. Our motto is: you are never too old!
Help
We live in a small village called Barbacena, near the beautiful heritage city of Elvas, in the Alentejo district of Portugal.
We have been working all year to convert our barn into a habitual and comfortable forever home (Nuno has moved over 45 times!)
We moved into the property last September, plus 2 cats and our dog Olly. We are all very happy to be here. But we are in need of some new energy to help with the last push of this year. It will mainly be painting the inside and outside of the building.
We have started to landscape the garden and soon there will be chickens - fresh eggs for breakfast:)
We have been discussing the path/patio alongside the house so help with that would be appreciated.
In our last property, we enjoyed hosting many workaways, men, women and couples, but feel that as we can only host 2 people this time, a couple would be more comfortable in our guest accommodation.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
Accommodation
The accommodation is a lovely large double bedroom with a completely separate entrance from the main house. It has its own bathroom with a newly fitted walk-in shower, toilet and washbasin.
This is a walled property and has a large gated entrance. Seclusion guaranteed.
Free WiFi is available throughout the property
There is also outside seating under the lemon tree. We often enjoy a BBQ from time to time.
We provide 3 meals a day, and as much tea and coffee and cold water as you like.
You are very welcome to use the main house which has a large kitchen and a large sitting room.
What else ...
We are very happy to socialise.
We also love talking and eating around the large dining table.
If you have a valid driving license, the car is at your disposal.
A washing machine is available.
There are beautiful walks nearby as well as fishing lakes.
The sunsets and sunrises are very stunning, filling the whole sky for miles
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
There is a desk in our bedroom with very fast fibre internet.
Space for parking camper vans
We have space to park your campervan
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (4)
We are glad to have been able to use our design skills and help with their project. We are happy that they are so sensitive to the environment, use the surrounding resources and take care of every detail. We were just… read more
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(5.0)
We are glad to have been able to use our design skills and help with their project. We are happy that they are so sensitive to the environment, use the surrounding resources and take care of every detail. We were just… read more
Bernardo was very generous with his time and expertise in IG, especially as he had his own commitments to take care of.
He enjoyed cooking and it was a pleasure for us to be… read more
Karen and Nuno are generous and hardworking hosts, always happy to answer your questions.
Thanks for inviting me to your place and all the interesting stories you shared with me/us. You can be glad to have found this place.… read more
We were very pleased with her help and work contributions.
Her English is excellent and she wasn't afraid to ask questions.
We were also pleased that she enjoyed walking around the many paths surrounding our property.
She completed all tasks with a mindful dedication to detail.
Nothing was too much trouble, and she was always available with a helping hand, like, volunteering to set the table and clear away etc.
We also engaged in thought-provoking conversations,… read more
