Come and join a retired couple in Serta- Coimbra and Center, Portugal

Details

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  Description

  We are a couple of retired folks who decided life could begin at 70 and on our first visit to Portugal over seven years ago fell in love with the place and its people. When we saw the place, nestled in a secluded valley, we immediately knew it was for us and bought it the next day. We returned to the North of Scotland sold our home of 30 years and did a 2,000-mile road trip through the UK France and Spain, with all worldly goods transported by ourselves in a tow -a van and our old Vanroyce caravan. Most people thought we were mad (and in hindsight, we did push the boat out a bit ) however we have no regrets, living in a Quinta with about one Hectare of land and forest which was formerly an equestrian property, now having established organic raised beds are practicing our own brand of 'lasagne gardening' as we plan to be as near to self-sufficient as practical. We have a polytunnel in one of the paddocks and want to generally improve the pathways and develop the grounds for our own safety as we get older. We have many varieties of fruit that we utilise, (e.g. making organic cider and preserves.) We try to use as much produce as possible from the tunnel, raised beds, and garden areas, sun-drying tomatoes, and making preserves and sauces.
  We have two rescue cats, three rescue dogs who just love long daily walks along the forest tracks, and four rescue hens and a cockerel ( Mr. Ordinary).

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Elderly Companionship

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Travellers will gain experience of eco-friendly rural living in a secluded and relaxed atmosphere but with mod cons. We are not an 'Off Grid' situation but are trying to live as close to nature as possible. We have farming experience and extensive agricultural knowledge (I was a former staff member at the Durham College of Agriculture where we both also studied) we love our vegetable cultivation and are presently experimenting and coming to terms with the different growing techniques for our present climatic situation. We also have experiences of living for many years on the remote outer islands of Orkney off the North Coast of Scotland and would be willing to share our knowledge of this. We also love music and still manage to play a little.

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  Help

  Development and maintenance of gardens and grass areas around the property, forest floor clearing, seasonal fruit picking, olive harvesting, building repairs, painting, and interior decorating, animal care and exercise, help with computers/Internet, cooking meals.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Beginner
  Portuguese: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  We are trying to improve our Portuguese and would be delighted to have conversation practice if possible. We were both teachers and could help with any aspect of the English language in return.
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  Accommodation

  Two berths 'Vanroyce' caravan within the property grounds with limited electricity, use of the main house Summer Kitchen with gas cooker/oven, fridge, and washing machine. Shower and toilet facilities are attached to the Summer Kitchen. There is a hard parking area near the main house for a camper van or caravan and soft ground for tents next to our caravan. We have unlimited internet in the house and caravan. We are situated 6km from the historic market town of Serta on the road towards the International water sports centre at Trizio.

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  What else ...

  The scenery around Serta and the surrounding mountains are varied and dramatic in places. The immediate area from our Quinta is a mixture of modern and very traditional houses where local people go about their daily routines as practiced by many former generations whose values are now sadly declining so quickly in the modern materialistic world in which we live. Helpers will get an insight into a fast-disappearing way of life.
  We have two mountain bikes for use to discover the local areas and enjoy transporting helpers to see places of interest outwith the immediate local area.

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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

  4G unlimited......The Internet is unlimited also in a 2 berth caravan.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Any size of van can be accommodated with linkup to limited electricity.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Yes by prior arrangement

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Usually 5 hours per day for full board.

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