Join us for our olive harvest and stay in our stunning house surrounded by nature near Serta, Portugal

Details

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  Description

  OLIVE HARVEST 2024 from 19th Oct to 10th Nov (approx)
  
  Crew needed 12-14 people.
  
  Olive harvest is a very special time of the year. This year's crop is looking pretty good and we will need to gather a family of pickers.
  We will mark the start of the harvest with a pizza party/bonfire/jam session on Saturday 19th Oct, where you can all meet each other and some of my local friends.
  You are welcome to arrive earlier if you like, anytime from 11th October.
  We hand pick up to 1000 trees, both at my farm and in the beautiful countryside beyond, to make high quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
  I need between 12 to 14 keen and fit workaways to climb trees, saw branches, carry boxes, sort olives in the machine and load the truck, whilst learning about olive oil and Portugal.
  Sleeping will be in our big attic dorm room, although there are also two private rooms for couples.
  I am expecting the harvest to run from 19th Oct to 10th Nov, although everything depends on the weather (please don't plan your onward travel until you have checked the harvest finish date with me please).
  In general we don't work on days when it is properly raining, we take those off to play games or make music and then make up the time later. Maximum of 24 hours a week (as is normal on Workaway).
  Its fair to say you will probably get rained on and at times it can be cold, but as soon as the sun comes out it can be a beautiful 20+ deg.
  Every Workaway completing the harvest gets a little bottle of the oil they made to take home.
  Harvest can be seriously hard work, this is not a placement for the lazy or those that can't work in a team, but for everyone else, harvest can be a lovely and memorable experience, where people sometimes make friends for life..
  
  After the harvest I will keep a small team on, for tree pruning.
  
  Please get in touch if you would like to join the team of 2024 :-)
  
  GENERAL
  
  My farm consists of a big old beautiful (but basic and unfinished) farmhouse set in 6 ha of wooded valley. It is 40 minutes walk from the lovely rural town of Serta.
  Over the past 9 years I've welcomed hundreds of Workaways to my home, to experience a different way of life, in a safe and friendly communal environment, whilst helping me gently push the project forward.
  
  We follow the Workaway model of four hours a day, six days a week for basic food and lodging.
  We all take turns to cook/wash up, and we expect you to take regular turns too. Please have some simple cheap recipes prepared.
  If you need a special or expensive diet please let us know when you apply.
  
  I dislike rules & rotas and instead prefer to activate the inner community spirit we all hold within us. There are plenty of tasks to do and we expect everyone to pull their weight in a giving and friendly manner, with a sense of community.
  When everyone pulls together it is the most beautiful way to live.
  
  From experience, I find its best to work on a one week trial basis for both parties. If either you are not happy with us, or we are not happy with you, then we part company after a week (or when convenient), with no hard feelings.
  
  In the house we communicate in English and so being able to speak good conversational English is ESSENTIAL.
  
  If you have a drug or alcohol problem or dependency, or a serious mental health issue, please let us know before you arrive, rather than after :-)
  
  We work four hours help a day, six days a week. The work is physical.
  During the summer we tend to start around 7am since by 11am its roasting, but the rest of the year 9am or 10am works fine. We'd be grateful if you could get yourself out of bed and fix yourself breakfast ready to start for then.
  
  Any gardening and building skills are very much appreciated but if you only have energy, enthusiasm and willingness to learn, then that is also grand.
  Please however do let us know when you apply however, if you have never used basic tools such as an electric drill.
  
  There is plenty of peace and quite with miles of forest, hills and river to explore.
  
  The house is large and we have some private rooms for Workaways plus a large dorm.
  In the summer the house stays nice and cool. For the winter, most rooms have heating (from the woodburner), so as long as the fire is lit it is pretty cosy. Still, in the winter you will need warm clothes and waterproofs.
  
  The house has a hot shower, flushing toilets and a washing machine for your clothes. There is a nice space for yoga.
  
  Beautiful Natural Swimming Pool - no chlorine, the water is cleaned by plants!
  
  There is a derelict barn on the site, (we call it the Chicken Hotel), which has 39 double rooms, and, when developed, could host yoga/massage/music/creative retreats. This is some way off so yoga teachers, hold your horses!
  
  The possibility of trips out. We often go to a big lake for a swim or have dinner at a restaurant.
  There are also plenty of festivals, concerts and a cinema to attend.
  
  We are happy for you to smoke on the terrace, which has a fabulous view across the valley.
  
  For rainy days we have musical instruments, games, books, table tennis and a projector for movies. We like to play board games when we have time. Carcasonne and Catan are both favourites.
  We have several guitars, banjos, a fiddle, electric piano, clarinet, harmonicas, melodica, trombone, cajon, full drum kit and even a double bass for you to make music on. I am happy to share what I know.
  
  We regularly get involved with the local Portuguese musicians to put on gigs and are often visited by Paul's UK/USA musician friends. Paul is in a local bands playing blues, rock and roll, bluegrass and oldtime.
  We often host 100 person concerts at the house.
  
  We have WiFi (now working reasonably well).
  
  We have two dogs (smart Tasca, loving Baloo) and a cat (Menina), all whom are exceptionally sweet. Many of our friends, who regularly pop over, also have dogs, so this is probably not the place for you if you don't like dogs...
  
  
  THE OWNER AND THE VISION
  
  Hi, my name is Paul, I am from London.
  I guess I am a mix of entrepreneur/capitalist (but with ethics and compassion) and a hippy dreamer (that actually gets stuff done).
  
  In 2004 I set up a community folk music pub in London, called The Harrison, which I still own and run (despite getting nearly destroyed by Covid).
  
  In June 2015 I bought this beautiful, abandoned terraced olive farm in Central Portugal. My intention is to create a little paradise through permaculture, music, community and positive deeds, although I have hardly started yet.
  
  My dream of living communally in the countryside began 33 years ago, after a long (hungover) night analysing how I should live. I have had this dream in my mind when making most of my life decisions.
  It is only recently however that I have worked out exactly what form this community will take and I am looking forward to you helping me realise its potential.
  
  Cheers
  Paul
  
  We are not a commercial business.

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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

  Help around the house

  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

  We can show you the building skills needed for the jobs you do and power tool use (if we trust you!). I even teach some sensible Workawayers to use the tractor.
  If you are interested in playing music then we have lots of instruments. I can teach you basic guitar and banjo. We can also introduced you to the local musicians and even get you gigs.
  We are gradually learning Portuguese, Julia is teaching us.
  Everyone goes to the market at least once which is fun and a bit scary. Those old Portuguese ladies drive a hard bargain!
  We regularly take workaways to local festas and concerts.
  On Sundays we sometimes take our little motorboat out to explore the huge local lakes.

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  Help

  I will need loads of help to get the place in order.
  
  I am looking help restoring the buildings, gardening, weeding, planting and farming (perma culture)

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  Its a big house with bedrooms and dorm rooms.
  There is lots space to camp and/or park a camper van.

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  What else ...

  The nearest town Sertã is 5 minutes away by car or a 40 min walk. It has 3 big supermarkets, cinema, bus station and many restaurants. They also have regular little events which can be fun.
  There is a beautiful river 10 mins walk through the wilderness from the farm and a lovely secluded lake down the valley through the forest.
  There is also a massive lake with a beach and cafe 25 mins drive away, where you can swim/boat/waterski etc.
  The nearest bar is only 400m away at the end of the drive, it's got a pool table and table football.
  The farm is very quiet so besides watching the birds you have to make your own entertainment. We have instruments, games and a selection of films and books if the peaceful nature gets too much.
  Sertã is well connected to Coimbra, Tomar, Castelo Branco, Porto and Lisbon by buses (Rede Express or Transdev), I will collect you from Serta bus station.

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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

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  No more than 25 hours per week. Don't mind if Workaways take time/weekends off to go explore Portugal

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