Help us revive a beautiful piece of land in Guarda, Central Portugal

Details

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  Description

  This past autumn, we have bought an old farm in Central Portugal with about 3,5 hectares of land, boulders, several smaller and bigger ponds, meandering streams of water coming from the nearby Estrela mountains and lots and lots of fruit trees. The land has not been attended to for years, so it needs care on quite a few levels.
  
  So much so, that we really could do with some help. We are currently busy restoring our old farm, but also hope to revitalize the surrounding land, clear waterways, build more natural pools and ponds (aside from reviving the ones already sitting on the land), prune trees, harvest and plant new ones. There's lots of them here: from a vineyard to orange, lemon, mandarin, pomegranate, apple, fig, cherry, pear and almond trees and hundreds of olive trees.
  
  Our aim is to turn it into a thriving place where we have, in addition to the accommodations we have now, small (cob style) eco-builds on the land where people can stay.
  
  Oh and perhaps also good to mention: as there will be plenty of time to relax, you'll have a sauna, trampoline and ping pong table at your disposal! Plus, our pool will soon be turned into a lush natural pool including waterfall (and we have an old granite water tank we have dubbed the "Roman bath" you can dip in any time). :)

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Art Projects

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Babysitting and creative play

  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 offer you -what we believe to be- a peaceful, beautiful -and piece of land with quite dramatic backdrop, with terraces, boulders and varying vegetation, at the foot of the Portuguese Estrela mountains. Depending on what stage we are at with renovating our farm, you can either stay in our large sized, seventies campervan, our gypsy trailer or in our guesthouse. In addition, we hope to offer you lots of opportunities to learn about permaculture, organic farming, natural builds, pond & water management and natural pool creations!

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  It's by no means a must, enthusiasm for us is key, but we'd love to have people with knowledge of gardening, farming, permaculture, eco-building, natural building and building at large, off grid living as well as water management or natural pool building.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  Dutch: Fluent
  French: Beginner
  Portuguese: Beginner

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  Accommodation

  Depending on where we are with renovating our farm, we can offer you either our guesthouse (an independent house with a bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom), our gypsy trailer (which is sitting secluded on the land and only contains 1 space with a bedroom & heater), our large seventies Hymer van (with several double beds, shower, toilet and kitchen) and the possibility of a daily meal(s).
  
  But you could also help create small cob and/or strawbale houses, or refurbish one of the 3 sheds on the land into tiny houses, in which you can then stay as well.
  
  Or if you have your own camper van you wish to stay in on our land, then by all means be our guest.

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  What else ...

  We live close to the Serra da Estrela mountains and its national park, but there are also lots of ancient and not so ancient historic sites nearby that are worth visiting. Guarda and Covilha are the cities closest to us, but if you want serious haute culture, Porto is the place to be (but 2 hours driving from here).

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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

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Female dogs, cats & other pets are welcome, but we do want to be informed about it in advance

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

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