Rural, off-grid farm in Viseu, Central Portugal

Details

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  Description

  ## we would be happy to host an energetic and positive couple for two weeks over the end of September. autumn, and some much needed rain, will come soon. So we need to prepare the farm and buildings for the changing seasons, this includes making wine, painting, land clearance, collecting and cutting firewood ##
  
  We are happy to host couples or a small family - ideally with their own transport and without pets - to come and stay long-term to help with building maintenance, construction, vegetable farming, land clearing, in the kitchen and animal care ( sheep, goat, chicken, dog and cat ).
  
  People with experience and good reference from previous house/farm sitting assignments would be very welcome!
  
  The ideal volunteers will be open-minded, easy going and interested to learn about off-grid and remote living perhaps as this is something they have done before or plan to do in the future.
  
  Due to the exchange requirements, we prefer applications from people who have a little more life experience - ideally in their late 20's or older - fluent spoken English is required.
  
  The details of the exchange offered will be flexible and need to be clearly agreed before starting to make sure that the location, work and relationship feels good and balanced.
  
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  A rural creative space in the green heart of northern Portugal - connected to the old world and distant from the rush of modern life.
  
  We are usually doing creative jobs in the old stone houses, gardens, kitchens and gardening and renovation on the farm land.
  
  Opportunity for volunteers to see and learn from working examples of off-grid energy systems ( both solar and micro-hydro electricity ), grey water systems, compost toilets, small-scale agriculture and also online remote working.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  General Maintenance
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Portuguese language skills, traditional crafts, off-grid and remote working - to name but a few :)

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  Help

  The farm is located in a very rural part of Central Portugal, with an abundance of tradition, nature and opportunities for walking and to experience the local culture.
  
  However, it should be noted that any visitors would require their own transport and that the access to the property is via a loose dirt track which can become very wet during the winter months.
  
  The farm is totally off-grid, energy is provided by solar and micro-hydro generation ( from a small stream that borders the land ), we are gradually working towards being more self-sustainable and producing more of our food and others resources as locally as possible.
  
  The energy and water supply at the property is continual, but finite and it's important to understand that the more people on the property, the less energy is available per person - this is a simple behavioural requirements that is required to share common resources.
  
  All visitors have the opportunity to learn a few things about off-grid living, sustainability, traditional farming and land management or helping with locally sourced building materials, such as stone or wood.
  
  The land is open and spacious, with areas given over to living, farming, grazing, herbs, flowers and woodland - the valley below gives open views to the peaks of Portugal's highest mountains - The Serra da Estrela.
  
  Spring is an amazing display of colour and life - starting with the mimosas in February all the way into summer - flowers, birds and life in general celebrate the return of the heat from the suns rays.
  
  The area has very few foreigners, and the locals generally only speak Portuguese - lack of language skills in no ways blocks communication - but a basic spoken level can be of help in certain situations.
  
  Portugal is a safe, tolerant, relaxed and naturally beautiful land.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent
  Polish: Fluent
  Portuguese: 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.
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  Accommodation

  independent house with open plan kitchen / salon, single bedroom with en-suite shower, wood burning stove and underfloor heating throughout.
  Self-contained apartment with kitchen lounge, raised bedroom and shower + wood burning stove for heating.
  Bed in 6 bed dorm - clean and comfortable.

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  What else ...

  Please note:
  
  We would ask that all volunteers have their own travel or health insurance cover - we, of course take great care to avoid any dangers and aim to provide a safe and healthy environment - but we do not have or offer insurance to the volunteers that come.
  
  ~~~ Due to fire risk we do not allow any form of open fire or smoking anywhere on the farm ~~~

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Steep dirt road down, but passable by all but the largest of vehicles.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  We have chickens, goats, sheep, a cat and a large dog, so while we might accept others, this would need to be very clearly agreed in advance and there is a good chance we would only be able to accept animals once we have met them in person.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  5 hours / day - 3 days a week.

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