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Live a sustainable off-grid life in central Portugal

  • Favourited 359 times
  • Last activity: 28 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Sebastien is from France originally and lived in Switzerland then Indonesia where he met Felicity from Uk. We moved to Portugal 5+ years ago with our original cat Odin traveling around in a truck searching for the dreamland, we found it and now work hard to maintain our shared vision.

    Would you like to live in our beautiful off-grid peaceful paradise we have helped create with nature?
    Would suit a couple of Independent, practical people who love being in nature away from the chaos of urban life.

    We are looking for some hardworking enthusiastic people to come help with our land.
    WHAT WE WOULD LIKE HELP WITH...
    * Clearing a part of our woodlands, moving wood, chopping wood, stacking wood.
    * Weeding .. a very relaxing meditative task
    * Reconstructing the vegetable beds in the garden
    * Maintenance around the pond area
    * Upgrading the caravan glamping area

    *Another amazing role is LAND/CAT sitting.
    (Since coming with 1 cat we now have 6! )...
    If you are a lover of cats and responsible enough to water our many plants regularly during the summer months we can offer you a place to stay in exchange for keeping the cats fed & plants watered & alive!
    Ideally, you would need a car or be content to be away from shops for longer periods.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    General Maintenance
    Help with Computers/ Internet
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Volunteers will have the opportunity to Learn & connect with nature and live sustainably and off-grid in an alternative lifestyle in a peaceful rural environment in the countryside away from the busy noisy polluted rat race of modern society.

    The seasons vary but you can learn about the various trees and fruits and nuts, pruning & harvesting,
    We have ancient olive trees that we harvest to eat and produce olive oil that you can pick in November and watch the oil extraction process in the local mill.
    Some fruit we produce we make into alcohol where you can see the process in the local lagar.

    Learn about some permaculture techniques & gardening, Various food preserving techniques, or forage for wild foods in the forests. Seb loves finding mushrooms!

    Learn about the culture here in Portugal and pick up the Portuguese language from the friendly villagers, or improve your French or English with us!

    There is a lot of wildlife that visits the gardens where you see evidence of wild boars & Listen to the abundance of birds & frogs singing.
    We also have 19 Beehives that are thriving well and knowledge can be shared from the beekeeper who sometimes visits.

  • Help

    Help

    We're looking for people to get involved with us to maintain our farm, 5.5 hectares of lush terraces and enchanted oak woodlands. We'd appreciate help with the ongoing care that's needed to manage this beautiful land.

    We have done most of the hard graft in clearing bushes and brambles but there's still lots to do. Trees to be felled.,wood to be chopped. ..or love to be given in pruning various trees and general land management.

    Our organic vegetable garden has been recently redesigned & now supplies us with delicious homegrown food! Weeds always need removing and depending on the season some veg/seeds may need planting.

    The land is very diverse and we feel very lucky to have found such a special place with so much potential to create different areas within this Quinta.

    We are looking for enthusiastic hands-on practical & creative people ideally with skills and knowledge we can all share.
    People with skills in construction & woodwork & have used power tools are extremely welcome.

    Tasks can be physical but always enjoyable, especially in the idyllic natural environment and sunny climate.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    French: Fluent

    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

    We have clean and tidy caravans or a tent, if you are traveling in your van or camper we have plenty of level space to park up under the olive trees next to the lakes.

    Monday-Friday we offer lunch and dinner prepared by Sebastien who is an amazing qualified French chef.
    Meals are delicious wholesome, healthy & mostly vegetarian.
    We will provide breakfast and there's some basic equipment in the caravan if you wish to cook for yourselves.

    There is a compost toilet and a funky shower block that has intermittent hot water.
    All our water is pumped from the well, which we filter or we visit a local spring.
    Please be conscientious about water consumption if coming in the summer as it is limited in Portugal, We have fresh water pools if you just wish to cool off in!

    On weekdays we work, weekends we do our own thing. We do not provide food for you on the weekends. There are local restaurants and cafes nearby to eat at on the weekends if you can't cook for yourselves.

    Any questions please message us.
    Look forward to hearing from you.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    The valley where we live has a lively alternative crowd of dwellers, aswell as welcoming locals.
    There is a big river close by where you can swim or fish if you have a rod, the village is a 10 min walk and has an active cafe and bakery both with free wifi. The nearby towns have local markets and amenities,
    Sierra Estrella mountains are not so far and there's lots of beautiful walks in the surrounding nature.
    There are numerous river beaches around and the ocean is an hour's drive. Porto is 2 hrs away and there is a train station " Carregal do Sal" and a bus station close by in neighboring towns "Tabua" & "Oliveria do Hospital"

    We can provide a mountain bike and we go regularly into town if you want to visit.
    There are lots of trees that provide shade where you can do yoga or meditate in a peaceful environment.

    We would ideally prefer to host a couple or friends who are travelling together. Solo travellers are also welcome.
    Non-smokers are preferred during the summer season due to high fire risks.

  • 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

    We have plenty of flat land to accommodate any size living vehicle with great access for bigger trucks.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    we have 6 cats so NO DOGS sorry, if you're travelling with your feline then they are potentially welcome :)

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    5 hours a day 5 day a week

Host ref number: 116178697976

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