updated   Last minute

Come and join us at our stunning eco off-grid escape in the Serra de Monchique area, Portugal

  • Favourited 1663 times
  • Last activity: 24 Apr 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Stop press!
    Urgent, Needed 1 girl to help all of May with retreats, some payment will be given.

    Hi there!

    Regarding payment.

    We ONLY offer payment when we run retreats if we need a vegetarian cook for which we will pay in addition to board and lodging.
    To confirm that you have read this part please say 'Om in the first line of your inquiry to us. 👍

    .++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++±+


    Hi, we are Ellis and Camilla and are often looking for a couple or two friends to help us with the vegetable garden, berry picking, building structures, repairing things, taking care of the dogs and cooking.

    We live off-grid which means things can go wrong with the water/solar hence logical thinking is a must. If you can take instructions with a can-do attitude, think logically, work on your own initiative and in a team then please read on.

    We (Ellis, Camilla, friends and workawayers) have built an eco off grid experiential retreat in Foz do Farelo, 20 mins north of Monchique in the mountains of the Algarve and we love people to come and help us, we always need help with landscaping, continued permaculture, building and creativity.

    Our aim is to create an inclusive rather than exclusive holiday retreat where people from all walks of life can relax in nature, try out some yoga, arts & crafts and learn a new skill.

    We have a plot of land 60000 sqmt (10 international football pitches for a size idea) it is a valley with a south and north facing hill. 90m height difference form top to bottom. We have rebuilt a small ruin and a larger ruin on the site of an existing ruin. We have temporary structures for glamping (pods/cabins etc) as well as flat areas for camping or a camper van.

    For 25 hours per week of your time we will provide accommodation, food and drink (not alcohol), working with me and Camilla. weekly yoga, comfortable beds, warm bedding and towels.

    On work days we eat lunch together, we eat dinner twice per week together and we generally all go to the local bar for food on a Saturday. On days off you make your own food when onsite (we will supply food). If you go out for the day you can make packed lunch or purchase your own food.

    Our current accommodation on site includes a truck - which has been converted into a 2 bedded studio and a camper van for 1 person and 4 bell-tents in the summer.

    Sunrise Lodge is usually where workawayers stay and has the main kitchen/diner for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We have an outdoor kitchen for guests. Everyone is expected to wash up and clear up after meals. Keep common shared spaces and their accommodation clean, and be responsible for washing your bedding. We have a washing machine that can be used and we have work clothes you can borrow.

    No skills are necessary just a willingness​ to help and have a positive attitude.

    Ellis is a skilled builder and can do pretty much everything. He will share his knowledge with you and give you tasks to do, sometimes projects are big like building and sometimes smaller like land clearing, the jobs really depend on the season. For anyone coming between January and March be prepared for lots of land clearing (clearing land to prevent fires), this is done in all weather conditions, so if you don't like getting muddy and wet then please don't request to do your workaway with us. Thank you for your understanding.

    We have a bio-gas plant fully working, solar panels 6kw, energy storage water tanks high on the hill.

    Camilla teaches yoga (hatha, vinyasa and kundalini) some days and is an excellent cook (mainly vegetarian), she has been in a 12 step program since 1999 - and is alcohol and drug free!

    Our internet data is 90% great, but on occasion it stops working. we have a satellite dish and a small amount of reception for some mobile networks.

    There is a free bus that you can take to Monchique on days off. It runs 4 days a week, 2 times a day. From Monchique it's possible to get buses to Portimao.

    This workaway opportunity is perfect for people who are serious about off-grid community living, permaculture, creative building and learning new skills. It is also a great place for those who prefer a drug free environment.

    We have 2 dogs and currently looking for a cat.

    Workaway tasks will be fun and rewarding as you will be seeing instant results which previous helpers have said is very satisfying.

    We looking forward to hearing from you.

    Thanks, Ellis and Camilla

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    You will learn building skills, how to make foundation, build temporary structures cabins, plumbing, sanitation, solar system, landscaping, digger driving, electrical systems. Composting toilets. Bushcraft, welding, biogas production, path and road construction, living pools. Additionally you will learn yoga, meditation and breathing techniques.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage

    Host offers payment in line with the minimum wage

    This host offers accommodation and payment.

    Host has indicated that they will pay at least the minimum hourly wage of their country for each hour worked and that accommodation will also be provided. They are asking for help with a business or business activity. Contact the host directly via the site messenger for more information and details about the wage provided. Any arrangements should be agreed in advance with your host.

  • Help

    Help

    Willing help of any sort. Gardening, landscaping, building, cooking, a can do attitude. 😀

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Intermediate
    Sami: Intermediate
    Portuguese: Beginner
    Swedish: 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

    Accommodation

    Comfortable beds in a house and bell tent. You can also bring your campervan. We mostly have hot showers unless we've had a lot of grey days, then we boil up water and use a jug 😉

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    The nearest main town of Monchique 15 mins by car. South coast beaches Algarve 45mins (20k as the crow flies), West coast 30 mins (15k as the crow flies) surfing. Mountain bike rides( good ride to west coast), walking, hiking, astronomy, surfing, yoga, paragliding (we need to find a take off)... we don't take drugs or smoke, my wife doesn't drink alcohol but I will have a few glasses but not to excess. This doesn't mean that you can't drink or smoke (because of fire risk smoking can only be done in the designated area) but no drugs please. There is lots of nature to explore and a free bus to Monchique 4 days per week for days out and sometimes we take people to the coast or to the matket. Faro airport is 1hr 20 min away by car. We are happy to answer any questions. Thanks Ellis and Camilla

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    This host can provide space for campervans.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

  • ...

    This host has been visited by a member of the Workaway team

    "Although these hosts are new to workaway, after one month volunteering with Camilla and Ellis we feel confident in giving them our stamp of approval. What we found particularly rewarding here was the physical transformation we witnessed in the project. It’s still in the early stages which means that, as a volunteer, you are literally able to see your hard work change the space around you. We had very little building experience prior to this placement but this was never seen as an issue, our hosts were happy to teach us and even gave us the freedom to create and explore our own ideas (helping us when we needed). In exchange for our efforts we were well rewarded with fantastic company, delicious meals, yoga lessons, life lessons, beautiful accommodation and outings to see the nicest beaches in Portugal! We highly recommend a stay at here!"

    Charlotte and Danilo (Workaway Ambassadors)
Host ref number: 885246413692

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