Join our project and help with gardening in Tomar, Portugal

Details

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  Description

  Hi there!
  We are Ruud and Silvia, a Dutch/Brazilian couple that decided to change lifestyle and move from Amsterdam to Tomar, Portugal - the project was born!
  
  Our project contains two centennial stone houses in a lovely 4.000 m2 of land at the Nabão river, a property that was in desperate need of love and time. Since 4.5 years we have been cleaning, (re)constructing, recycling and (re)shaping both houses and the garden – it has been hard work, but very rewarding. We live in one house, which is now comfortable, and we rent the other house for short stays. We respect the houses and their history, choosing sustainable solutions and recycling/repurposing objects as much as we can. We love our life here so much, that we would like to share it with more people. We already had great experiences with travellers who stayed with us for a few weeks. They were super helpful and, most of all, having them around was very inspiring and refreshing for us.
  
  Are you interested in spending some time in a small town in the center of Portugal and at the same time help us continue our project? We can offer a spacious private room/bathroom, meals, and good company. Our home is located in a quiet place just outside the city, but at walking distance from the historical center of Tomar. The city and the region have much to offer, you will not regret spending some time here.
  
  We hope to hear from you to discover mutual interests!

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  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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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  At the place you will have the opportunity to live in a relaxed environment that offers much opportunity to learn and give. It is difficult to list how you will benefit from staying with us, because every person has a different angle, which might change according to opportunity and need. We hope to engage in a pleasant relationship with you, where we share life for a while, and learn from - and inspire - each other. Below some of what we can offer.
  
  We are fluent in Dutch and (Brazilian) Portuguese, and also in English, the language we use for our communication. Also, we both have (professional) Informatics skills. As experienced DIY-minded people, we have been doing all kinds of things, from construction to planting and harvesting. We love a challenge, and have succeeded in facing them in the 20+ that we have been married. This is not our first project for home renovation, but it is certainly the biggest. By helping us, you can learn from what we know, or teach us what you know, or we can find out about we still don't know together. All that can be done while listening to music, chatting with each other, during meals or while enjoying the lovely sun, the riverside or the pool. We are the bosses of our time.
  
  And of course, you will be in Portugal, which has great climate, very friendly people and interesting history. You will be able to experience Portuguese culture and habits besides visiting the great Natural and cultural resources in the region. People here say that Tomar is like a ‘black hole’: once you are here, you don’t want to get out. This applies to Portuguese and foreigners, so be aware.

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  Help

  We ask you to help us 20h every week, and we are in principle flexible on how to fill this in. The tasks will vary/evolve as we go, to adapt to your expertise and preferences, and also to the seasons and the project’s needs. Examples of tasks are taking care of the vegetable garden (horta) and garden (jardim), setting an irrigation system, recycling and repurposing objects, harvesting olives and oranges, digging a pool, and much more. Most tasks require physical effort, so be prepared to have sore muscles in the first days here.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Dutch: Fluent
  Portuguese: Fluent
  German: Beginner
  Spanish: Beginner
  French: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  We are always keen on improving our English skills and also more than happy to help you improve your Portuguese and Dutch skills.
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  Accommodation

  The bedroom and bathroom are located in the upper floor of our home, which has been recently renovated. The room has 15m2, contains a double bed, cabinet and a sit corner. It is large and ventilated, offering your own private space. We could arrange a desk if necessary. The bathroom is located outside the room, but it will be reserved for your private use during your stay. Also, you will have access to our home facilities. Wifi is available and unlimited in all the property grounds, including the garden. There is also plenty of room to park your car/van.

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  What else ...

  We have a large garden, so there is plenty of space to enjoy your free time – it is our small oasis, in which we spend most of our time. But you will probably look around too. We are located just outside urban Tomar, at a walking distance (1.2 Km) from the historical center. There is plenty to do and see in Tomar, for example Convento de Cristo and other templar legacies, restaurants and shops (). The trails to Santiago da Compostela and Fatima pass through Tomar.
  
  The region also has many attractions, such as the Lake of Castelo do Bode dam at the Zêzere river and the Camino de Santiago. Many other attractions are +- 45min by car, including the Nazaré beach with gigantic waves, Leiria, Alcobaça, Batalha, Fátima, Coimbra, Santarém, Caves and pre-historic monuments. And, if you want more, Lisbon is just 120km away. Tomar is well connected by rail – it takes you 2h to reach Lisbon – and it has public transportation by bus. We can also support you in organizing transportation, when the time comes.

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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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  Can host digital nomads

  You will have a private space with good internet (Ruud runs our own digital facilities).

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  Space for parking camper vans

  The entrance is narrow, so only small units would be able to reach the parking space.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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