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100 %
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17 Mar 2024
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Description
We are a family of three and our land is out in the country side of the Alentejo. Some years ago we have moved from Germany to Portugal and are currently working on a 10 ha naturist eco project where we invite you to think, play and participate. We have already set up some of the essential infrastructure like an Solar Off-Grid System for electricity, a water system for freshwater from one of our wells, a shower and toilet house, a simple kitchen, a treehouse etc.
Our property is very remote and perfect for naturism. We already have three natural lakes where we regularly enjoy a skinny dip. Also we are using the lake water to turn our garden into a permaculture biotope.
Doreen has studied Environment and Forestry and is focusing within our project on the land development and gardening by following the ideas of permaculture, regenerative agriculture and syntropic farming. Her aim is to stop desertification and to make our land green and fertile by applying a smart water management. Also she is experimenting with different valuable and unique plants and processes.
Falko has a wide spread Engineering background and worked for many years as a Project Manager for large scale solar power plants across the world. Falko looks into different construction projects such as refurbishing our old Alentejo adobe farmhouse. The new roof is already in place and we have done the plastering of the inner walls by using the clay from our land.
Fabian is 13 years old and loves sports. After attending a Portuguese local school for 5 years, which helped him becoming fluent in the Portuguese language, he now is learning project based and homeschooled with an American school. Besides school Fabian joined the local football and Karate club. Fabian loves the nature and animals here and he enjoys jumping on our trampoline and riding his bike on a self made mountain bike dirt track on our land.
The three of us traveled a lot with our camper van all over Europe and spent extended time in India and Japan. We have an honest interest in different cultures and love to meet people from different nations.
You will come as a WorkAwayer and most likely leave as a friend.
We are also open to other families or couples who want to join our project for a longer period or want to become co-creator.
NOTE: please be aware that this is a naturist project. First time naturists are also very welcome.Types of help and learning opportunities
Art ProjectsLanguage practiceHelp with Eco ProjectsTeachingGardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceHelp with Computers/ InternetUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are from Germany and open to all kind of people and have been travelers ourselves for many years. We are open to new cultures and languages and enjoy exchanging travel adventures as well as sharing knowledge we’ve gained during the last years building up our little homestead.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
There are many sub-projects and a lot of work to do.
GARDEN
From a former Olive tree plantation we are increasing the diversity by planting more fruit and supporting tree species. Also we have created some new vegetable beds which deliver fresh veggies all around the year. The jobs in the garden are:
- harvesting olives
- planting trees
- maintaining vegetable beds
- weeding
- grass trimming
- pruning
- collecting materials for composting
- making an 18-day-fast-compost
FARMHOUSE
We have a beautiful old farmhouse made from clay which we have refurbished and do need volunteers mainly for the last details:
- mosquito nets for doors and windows
- painting (lime paint)
- plastering with clay
TREEHOUSE
Our simple treehouse with approximately 10 sqm needs a makeover. The following projects are on our list:
- insulation & inside walls
- installing a proper door and window
- rustic facade
KITCHEN
The old hen-house we have turned into an "outdoor" kitchen and now is equipped with a fridge, a stove and water installations. The kitchen can be used by all of us. Recently we have also installed a reverse osmose filter for drinking water. The kitchen shelter is simple and rustic but charming. We aim to further improve the kitchen:
- wall repairs
- plastering
- sink with drainage
BATHHOUSE
Onto some old brick walls we've continued building with wooden blanks to create two rooms for shower and toilet. Here we need:
- plastering
- installation of a sink
- brick laying
- natural stone laying
- installation of solar heating system for hot water
- decoration and arts
LAKE
We have dug several lakes. The first lake is in the middle of our 3ha walled garden and has a size of about 2000 sqm. We aim to have smart natural cleaning systems in place by planting plenty of water plants in natural filtration areas. The challenge here is that the water level will not be constant over the year and we can easily lose a lot of water through evaporation in summer. Some tasks can be:
- landscaping
- planting trees
- setting up natural filtration areas
- natural stone laying
- building a wooden porch and dock into the water
FARMING
Currently we have some chickens but we aim to have more animals here:
- building a mobile chicken house
- fencing
- feeding and cleaning the chickens
Some other tasks:
- cooking together
- Portuguese lessons
- mentoring our son with some school projectsLanguages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Portuguese: BeginnerAccommodation
Caravan, guest room, tent and treehouse - depending on availability
What else ...
We live close (10 min by car) to the small town of Ourique which offers supermarkets, cinema, post office, library and lots of little shops, cafes and restaurants. From here it will take you approximately 50 min either to the coastline of the Algarve or west coast. The area around our property is good for walking, cycling and horseback riding. A riding stable is in the neighborhood.
We enjoy being here very much especially because it is a very peaceful place. Would be nice to welcome people who like to live close to nature and enjoy the tranquility and authenticity of rural Alentejo.
Ourique is connected to the Portuguese bus network (Rede Expressos) and we can pick you up at the local bus station. The nearest train station is Funcheira, which has connections to Lisbon and Faro. This is also where the closest airports are.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Digital nomads are welcome to stay, help and use our facilities.
Space for parking camper vans
Travelers who come in their own camper or caravan are welcome to stay on our land where we can offer outdoor facilities (kitchen, shower, toilet). We are very interested in welcoming families with children, preferably between 12 and 16 years old.
Can possibly accept pets
Pets we only can accept when they are easily controlled by the owner and don’t hunt our chickens.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (11)
We wish you all the best for your further… read more
The spirit and vibe exhales care for nature and for people. I was warmly introduced to and got very inspired by the five principles along which they work their land, i.e. (i) off-grid solar energy, (ii)… read more
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
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We wish you all the best for your further… read more
The spirit and vibe exhales care for nature and for people. I was warmly introduced to and got very inspired by the five principles along which they work their land, i.e. (i) off-grid solar energy, (ii)… read more
Thank you so much for all you… read more
To start with I mainly worked with Falko and another workawayer building an extension to the car port and laying decking for an outside seating and… read more
Towards the end of his time as a workawayer Sean took care of our… read more
Lena is a great Mom and spends most of her time with Maila, helping her with growing up and experiencing things on her own, she also helped with gardening and jobs… read more
Félix was very friendly and easy to get along with, he was a real asset to the project for five weeks right from day… read more
Whilst he was with us Roberto took a keen interest in all things permaculture and spent a lot of time in the… read more
Their farm is in a very nice place, in the Alentejo region, the most rural and authentic part of Portugal. The farm itself is very nice and has all the confort (I was in a big bedroom with bathroom and a wood stove).
Flako, Doreen… read more
Jake came during his trip through Europe also to our place in Portugal for a couple of weeks. He is a very lovely companion who willingly works on any project and always gives a hundred percent. It was super nice to have him here and we consider ourselves very lucky… read more
Falko and Doreen welcomed me with the utmost care and consideration for my stay and first-time adventure experiences in… read more
Jeff is a great guy who is marvelous to work with. It was fun to have conversations with him as well as just to sit and enjoy the sweet entity of nature.
Thank you very much Jeff for all your help,… read more
This eco-center is ideal for anyone wishing to contribute to a meaningful project. Their work is helping Nature reclaim the Earth.
Some of the best parts of the experience were:
-… read more
We had a wonderful time at their paradise. It was an ideal place to break free of the very hectic world. It is a very remote laying clay house; you have to drive 2km over an unpaved road. At night there is only one spot with some lights and for the rest it is darkness all around and you can see a lot of stars.… read more