Farm stay on a beautiful 6 hectare plot near Bombarral, Portugal

Informationen

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  Beschreibung

  I was born in the UK to a British mother and Spanish father and in 2017 started exploring the possibility of spending more time in Spain or Portugal. In 2020, for health reasons, my career as an airline pilot ended. Ultimately the stress of 20 years of commercial aviation took its toll and my body said “enough”. Once I realized that I wouldn’t be able to fly anymore, I took the leap and moved to Portugal.
  
  Before I left the UK, I spent some time volunteering at ‘Fork and Dig It’, an amazing community permaculture project, in Brighton. I then visited several projects in Spain and Portugal, and eventually settled in this area. For the last 3 years I have also worked at a local organic market garden. Another big inspiration is the film, “The Biggest Little Farm”. It has been a fun apprenticeship and has given me the confidence to buy my own land and start growing for myself. I'm using a combination of regenerative agriculture and permaculture principles, aiming to produce a diverse range of produce, with a focus on soil building and creating a natural ecosystem.
  
  The total land area is 15 acres (6 hectares), on top of a gentle hill, with amazing views in all directions and birds of prey who are regularly to be seen soaring above. The living areas comprise the main house, where Ollie & I live, a self-contained annex and a large barn that is great for events, and a lovely space for yoga, painting, playing music and just hanging out. This is all surrounded by a fenced garden of just under an acre (3,500 m2), and is where I am focusing my attention at the moment. So far, I have planted over 100 fruit trees and soft fruit bushes and am in the process of building more permanent beds for veg growing. I also built a geodesic dome greenhouse and have installed a small circular pool for refreshing dips during the day. It also has a wood fired heater for sunset, hot tub relaxation. I installed a solar electricity system last spring.
  
  The farm is located just 50 mins drive from Lisbon airport and 25 mins from the amazing beaches of Peniche and Baleal. It is 5 mins from the lovely, Buddha Eden gardens and less than 10 mins from Bombarral, a sweet but quiet little town, which is also served by regular buses from Lisbon. The medieval walled town of Obidos (15 mins) is worth a visit, Caldas da Rainha (20 mins) is the nearest small city with one of Portugal’s nicest, daily, open air fruit and veg markets and there is some great walking in the nearby Serra de Montejunto.
  
  The surrounding towns and cities (Bombarral, Obidos, Caldas da Rainha and Peniche) are all served by bus from Lisbon. However, apart from that, public transport is almost nonexistent and local taxis are expensive, so you really do need your own transport.

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  Arten von Hilfe und Lernmöglichkeiten

  Kunstprojekte

  Gartenarbeiten

  Heimwerker- und Bauarbeiten

  Betreuung von Tieren

  Mithilfe auf einem Bauernhof
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  UNO-Ziele für nachhaltige Entwicklung, die dieser Gastgeber verfolgt

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  Was ist das?
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  Kultureller Austausch und Lernmöglichkeiten

  An opportunity to spend some time living in a peaceful location, away from the hustle of city life, but close enough to it when needed. Also a chance to get your hands dirty in the soil and learn how to grow your own produce. Using techniques such as the permanent bed system used in permaculture and regenerative agriculture, the benefits of diversity and companion planting, crop rotation, succession planting, composting and soil building.

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  Arbeit

  I’m looking for volunteers who can help me out with a combination of land work and dog sitting.
  
  I would ask for between 10 and 15 hours of your time each week plus looking after Ollie the dog from time to time.
  
  Dog sitting mostly involves being around, so that he isn’t left alone for long periods of time, when I am out, usually 3 or 4 times a week. He currently goes to a nearby daycare centre when needed, but I would prefer for him to be able to stay at home with some company.
  
  I also travel from time to time. I currently use Trusted Housesitters when I go away, but would prefer that he is looked after by people who are already here. Some friends stayed for 4 months, last winter and it worked really well. I had some extra help on the land, they really enjoyed living on the farm and between us, Ollie was very well cared for. It gave me the flexibility to go out for longer periods and take short trips away without needing to worry about arranging for extra dog care.
  
  In addition, the main tasks that I would welcome your help with are:
  
  Watering and weeding trees and vegetable beds.
  Creating new permanent raised beds and planting more produce.
  Ongoing clearing and tidying of the land.
  Installing irrigation lines on the permanent beds.
  Turning the compost pile and building extra compost capacity.
  Creative projects to bring some life and colour to the farm.
  
  I only bought the ‘Quinta’ at the end of August 2023, so it is still very early days. I’m focusing on getting some basic infrastructure in place, adjusting to living a bit more remotely and learning to grow stuff. And most importantly, having fun!! I still very much feel like a novice, but by starting slowly I hope we can all learn together as we go along.
  
  I am open to discussing alternative arrangements, including a reduced work schedule, or accommodation only. For example, for digital nomads or people who may be working on their own creative projects, but who want to spend some time living closer to nature. My motivation for hosting volunteers is as much about having some help on the land and with Ollie, as meeting new people and having connection and community. The best fit are people who are enthusiastic about living on a farm and getting involved, but who are independent and equally comfortable doing their own thing. At the moment, I can only accept couples, as I find they are a bit more independent and self sufficient. I am also open to dogs, as long as they are chilled and easy going.

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  Gesprochene Sprachen

  Englisch: Fließend
  Spanisch: Fließend
  Portugiesisch: Gute Kenntnisse

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  Unterkunft

  Accommodation will be in a private double bedroom in the annex, with kingsize / 160cm wide bed and private ensuite bathroom. If you are travelling / living in a van, it can be parked behind the annex, within the fenced garden.
  
  The annex has an open plan living room / kitchen and a communal bathroom. This may be shared with other visitors who may be sleeping elsewhere.
  
  Food will also be provided, including anything we grow on the land, for you to prepare your own meals. Hopefully we can all eat together from time to time as well.

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  Was noch ...

  And finally…
  
  While not considering myself a naturist, I’m a big advocate of nakedness, especially in a sauna or at the beach, skinny dipping to celebrate a full moon. I would never expect anyone to join in if they weren’t comfortable, but the invitation is always there and I mention it as it is something that I enjoy, find liberating, and embrace on the farm when I can.
  
  For health and personal reasons, I only accept non-smokers.
  
  There is a 30m tall, telecommunications mast on the land, close to the house. I ‘inherited it’ when I bought the land. It doesn’t bother me at all, I have done extensive research on the topic and am comfortable that it doesn’t present any health risks. I barely even notice it now, but I mention it as I appreciate that some people won’t want to be so close to such a structure.
  
  If you’re still reading this and it resonates with you, please get in touch. Tell me a bit more about yourself and any farming or practical experience you have. It’s not essential, just enthusiasm and a willingness to get stuck in. Tell me what you hope to get from the experience and ask any questions.

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  Etwas mehr Information

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    Internet Zugang

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    Eingeschränkter Internet Zugang

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    Wir besitzen Tiere

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    Wir sind Raucher

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    Familien möglich

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  Kann Digital Nomads unterbringen

  Dieser Gastgeber nimmt gern Digital Nomads bei sich auf.

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  Platz zum Abstellen von Camper Vans

  Dieser Gastgeber bietet Platz für Wohnmobile.

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  Hier sind Haustiere in der Regel willkommen

  Dieser Gastgeber ist bereit, Reisende mit Haustieren bei sich aufzunehmen.

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  Kapazität - wie viele Workawayer maximal

  zwei

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