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14 Jul 2024
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Description
Please contact me if you need communication in Japanese./ 日本語でのやり取りが必要でしたら連絡ください。
We are a Japanese/English family of four restoring an old Quinta in central portugal. We have two young daughters 5 and 2, also a dog and three cats.
We have been living off grid on our land for 3 years in a caravan/cabin and are now rebuilding the ancient stone ruin.
The land is around 3 hectares located in a small valley with a stream that joins nearby to the Rio Seia.
Within walking distance we have numerous neighbours living a similar lifestyle.
We are a 15 minute walk from a small village where you can sometimes get a coffee.
We are still in the pioneering stage so facilities are very simple but we have all the basics. We have a small solar system with enough power to charge devices and running water for washing. Drinking water is collected from the village.
Our waste water drains onto the land so please natural cosmetics only. If you like to use a lot of chemical based fragrant products then this might not be the place for you.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
General Maintenance
Interests
Beach
Sustainability
Van life
Events & social
Farming
Performing arts
Plant care
Music
Drawing & painting
Carpentry
Books
Cooking & food
DIY & crafts
Gardening
Architecture
Animals
Outdoor activities
Nature
Hiking
Camping
Dancing
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are willing to share our knowledge and what we have learned so far in this lifestyle.
Jim has always worked in general construction mainly involved in electrics and plumbing. He also has a lot of experience in land clearance and forestry. He has picked up a lot of handy skills through DIY over the years and enjoys finding solutions to problems using stuff that is lying around.
Natsuki has a love of fermenting, especially miso but also finding ways to deal with occasional abundant fruit. She also enjoys experimenting in the garden with different methods. Through this has an interest in micro organisms.
More then anything being here will be an experience in an off grid life, an off grid life from scratch! We can't say it's glamorous but what we do, we do for us and there's a lot of freedom in that.
The area is widely populated by foreigners living a similar lifestyle. It's a vibrant active community of wonderful people and is one of the main reasons we settled here. There's always a social event to go to with plenty of good folk to meet.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Currently our main project is building the house using both conventional/eco methods
There's also developing the garden, land management and parenting, we are realising it's a lot of work for us alone. Any skills in these areas are great but there are also plenty other tasks that's don't need experience, only enthusiasm and willing is needed.
Help with the kids is always appreciated. Our girls are easy going but the youngest still needs supervising and if you're happy to listen to a 5 year old just talk, about pretty much anything, it can give us time to do other work.
Around 20 hours a week help split over four or five days.
We like to do things with other people it's more fun to work in a group and the motivation It brings is always a buzz.
When we work, we like to work hard, this life comes with a heavy work load and a willingness to get stuck in is important to us in a volunteer
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Japanese: Fluent
Portuguese: BeginnerThis 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
Our living space is small and full, plus we need time for ourselves as a family so volunteers will have to be somewhat self sufficient.
We have our old van with a double bed in it, it's what we used to travel in and is comfortable and from July we will have a caravan for volunteers to stay in
We have some flat spaces for camper vans and plenty of camping space if you have a tent.
Would best suit volunteers with their own transport.
Only basic cooking facilities can be provided at the moment.
We welcome the opportunity to host families but for now you must be pretty much self sufficient in sleeping and cooking, if you have a camper van then it can work.
We are still learning what works best for food, we provide one shared meal on work days, other times we may just provide ingredients.
What else ...
Our Quinta is in the foot hills of the Serra de Estrella. We are surrounded by nature with many beautiful places to walk and a river to swim in nearby.
Bring a jumper as even in the middle of summer the nights can be cool.
We live within the bounds of Travancinha, a quiet village with few amenities. The next village over has a few cafes and a small shop. For more, the towns of Seia and Oliveira do Hospital are both a 15min drive away.
There are many markets in the local area, they are a social event in themselves whether its a traditional Portuguese market or a foreigners artisan market they are all a community hub and a nice way to spend an afternoon.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
Camper vans and small motor homes are welcome, access is tight.
Can possibly accept pets
Well behaved dogs are welcome but they must be sociable to get on with our and the neighbours animals, especially the chickens as their area can easily be accessed by a hungry dog.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Photos
