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Help with some DIY projects and enjoy island life in Pico, the Azores, Portugal

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: 1 week or less

Jan
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Details

  • Description

    Description

    ***UPDATE - Nair is working away so it's just Jess :)


    Hi Jess here, I am living with my dear friend Nair on Pico island in the Azores, the gorgeous Portuguese archipelago consisting of 9 volcanic islands. I moved here from the UK 6 years ago to be a whale watching and guide and now I work as an English teacher and run a cat sterilisation association. Nair is Portuguese, and came from the mainland in 2022 to work as a scuba diving guide and still does. We live here with our animal family, 2 cats, Lucifer and Pumpkin, and Flea the dog, they are all rescued from the streets of Pico and are absolutely wonderful, more on that later.

    I own a piece of land and will build a tiny home in spring and hope to build more in the future so that I have a small number of people living there working on the land, growing food, and enjoying community life and helping animals. The land is absolutely beautiful and right on the coast line.

    We both love nature, especially the ocean, scubadiving, freediving, snorkeling, swimming, marine life, as well as enjoying life on land with friends and music. We are busy, productive people that like to be happy and make the most of life! I like to go on walks and am trying to maintain a pretty healthy life, I like fasting, eating well, and always hoping to do some winter swimming! We have a truck, bikes, and snorkeling gear.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We love our life here in this house and in Pico. The island is simply a magical place with charms even we haven't discovered yet.

    We are not expecting to teach you any skills, maybe the other way round :) but we do wish to show you our lifestyle here in the Azores and share a memorable experience with you.

  • Help

    Help

    JANUARY/FEBRUARY:
    - The house we are currently living in needs some of the rooms painting, the small storage space needs clearing, the gardening could do with a bit of love (not a priority) and other small things may pop up.
    - I desperately need a WELDER to fix some holes in my truck, tools will be provided
    - On my land I need to build an ELECTRICS box, I can get all the advice and information from a local friendly electrician but I need help building it, someone with experience would be ideal.
    - End of Jan I need to move the wood from the sawmill to a storage space

    MARCH:
    Prepare concrete base for the tiny house.

    APRIL/MAY:
    MOST IMPORTANT is to find someone who can help me build a tiny home. The wood is currently drying. I designed the house with a friend and have experience building a friend's house but am definitely in need of someone with experience to help me on this journey! Ideally in mid April/May.
    I also need to put up a new fence for my chickens.

    We expect volunteers to do their share of cooking, and mainly cleaning up after yourself, enthusiastic cooks are most welcome hehe :).

    These are the main things, feel free to ask any questions.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Portuguese: Beginner

    This host offers a language exchange
    Nair is fluent in English and Portuguese

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    I only cook vegetarian food, but I occasionally eat fish. No problem having meat/fish in the house, however meat/fish and cheese will not be provided.

    There is space for one volunteer at a time and they will have their own room upstairs in the attic where there is a single bed. Then there is an open space with the dining room and living room, as well as the kitchen and the bathroom.

    We have a lovely, oldish house, that is a nice size with character, big windows and a garden, and best of all a view of the volcano, the ocean and one of the neighbouring islands, Faial. The house is 2 minutes from the ocean by foot and in the centre of Madalena so a convenient place to live for Pico. We also have bikes.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    One very important thing. Flea, my rescue dog is by no exaggeration scared of people. She doesn't bite but barks quite a lot at first and when I say "you must ignore her completely and let her come to you" I really mean it and have little patience for people who don't respect this. The poor girl is clearly traumatised and it's so much less stressful for everyone if she is ignored and given the time and space she needs. People always fall in love with her, she is very loveable, but really needs time to trust new people. Many become determined to gain her trust and it's always a beautiful moment to see that happen, eventually! Once she trusts a person she is extremely loving and gently asks for affection. She is a naturally calm and obedient dog, especially with people she trusts. All volunteers must be ok with this situation.

    Pico is a fairly quiet place with a population of 15,000 but is also an attractive tourist destination due to it's incredible nature. It is quite agricultural, lots of fields, lots of cows but with some nice shops/restaurants/bars etc. Therefore please expect a fairly calm place.

    Pico is an isolated place with unreal nature, and includes activities such as: climbing the highest mountain in Portugal, Pico mountain (2351m)! - hiking - whale/dolphin watching (Jess worked as a guide, very good place for whale and dolphin watching!!) - scubadiving (Nair works as a guide, also special place for this activity) - snorkeling/swimming - museums - cheese and wine tasting - caves - lakes - visiting neighbouring islands Faial and Sao Jorge by ferry, other islands bit further away but also accessible by ferry or flight and more.

    There is limited transport available on this island, a bus with very limited times, taxis, ferries to the other two islands close to us.

    Pico has 4 seasons in a day!! So expect sun, rain and wind. Summer weather wise is the best season to visit, spring/autumn varies quite a bit, winter having the most rain and storms, but still wonderful and an adventure ;). Winters are quieter, and feel fairly short compared to the UK for example, cloudy but no snow or frost (only on the top of the mountain :)). Please bring clothes for all potential weather.

    We love where we live, and the animals and people we share it with. Pico is magical and a must experience place. We hope to connect with you, work together, laugh together, and ensure everyone is getting something from this. A pre video call is a must!

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    As I am an online English teacher I need a fairly good internet connection and when I have classes this must be kept in mind for digital nomads ;)

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    There is a space across the road in a field but we do not own the field. It is where we park our car.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    Yes, we welcome pets, but needs to be discussed. We have cats and a dog so any animal guests must be comfortable with our existing residents and dogs cannot bark too much because of the neighbours :)

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    One

Host ref number: 331936752994

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