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22 Jan 2025
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Description
~ This autumn and winter 2024 our focus will be on preparing a piece of land to turn it into a fruit yard, picking and drying fruit, beekeeping, clearing land for gardening and work on the house. ~
👨🏽🌾🌱🍊🥝🐝🔨
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Please don't contact me if you are not sure about your own availability. We love it that you want to come and help us and have a taste of our lives.
But it's not our hobby to be behind a laptop. We rather work on the land.🌱
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You are invited to the natural and wild valleys in Central Portugal. There are ancient stone staircases covered in moss, waterfalls and wild flourishing forests. The area is steep and uneven and twisting walking paths mark the way.
For me, living in the Valleys is a place to return to the basics of life and to connect to nature. It’s a place where I try to limit my impact on the planet. Right now I am focused on cleaning and landscaping the land, beekeeping, gardening and renovating a house in the village. Basic facilities like electricity, running water, vegetable garden, field-kitchen and toilet have already been made. I use mostly hand tools, some electrical power tools, and as much local materials as possible. Most of the work is physical and can make you dirty (or wet). I choose to settle in these valleys because of the clean air, pure water, wild nature and to share the experience with like minded neighbours.
My name is Haico and I am originally from the Netherlands. Before I moved to Portugal, I had an organic supermarket and a restaurant. I am looking for people who enjoy pioneering, learning and exploring together with me here.
There are 2 super animals that you will meet. My dear cat Chomsky and my sweet dog Ripley, who love to cuddle, play and make you laugh.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I am not the only immigrant close to Benfeita. A community of people from different backgrounds and various countries have moved to this area to live in harmony with nature. There is a monthly market, a women's, a man's and a mixed circle.
Every week there are yoga classes and a meditation circle.
As community we often help each other out at our Quintas (farms). If you are staying with me for a while you will surely get to know these people and their ways. You will be inspired about all the ways in which you can build your live outside of the prescriptive path by 'normal' society.
In the mountain villages close to my valley (Benfeita, Pai das Donas and Luadas) there are still a few older Portuguese people living a traditional life. You will see people herding their sheep and goats and in summer you can enjoy local food en dances at the annual summer feasts. The local café has delicious sandwiches and in the afternoons you can always find someone there to share a beer or a wine with (or a cup of coffee/tea).
My valley is 15 minutes walking from these places. Part of the time you will be with just a few people or alone (although we try to have at least 2 volunteers at the same time). If you are used to a life in the city and a lot of social interactions, this loneliness can be deeply nurturing, but also extremely confronting. Without all the city distractions, most people are faced with their longings, fears, expectations and boundaries. Moving through these you have the chance to really connect with yourself and nature.
Help
The help at hand in this phase of the project is physical and basic. I like to say it is what you did when you were playing outside as a kid (at least if you are from my generation). We are digging in the sand and in the mud, playing with water and tubes in the river, making ‘huts’ from wood and building walls with stones.
Gardening: weeding, harvesting, bramble pulling
Beekeeping
It is important that you enjoy time alone in nature. The nearest villages are a 15 minutes hike away.
An open mindset and a good physical condition is more important than your skills. You are very welcome to come learn with me.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Portuguese: Intermediate
French: 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
Back to basic! NEW: I can offer two places in inner tents in a traditional stone shed.
Also there are tents available and there is also space to put your own tent.
All nearby a basic field kitchen and a compost toilet.
The shed also has storage/space and there is a hammock to be chilled in.
Showering is done in the river and clothes are washed in the machine we can use in the village. There is electricity.
I offer a place in a private tent and 3 meals a day. Depending on the season.
Summer: a smooty or bread breakfast, bread lunch, warm meal dinner.
Winter: a porridge breakfast, bread lunch, warm meal dinner.
We cook in turns. I cook mainly vegetarian.
What else ...
I want to live the mountain life then this is your chance. The steep slopes, weather conditions and the lack of the comforts from back home can be challenging. But the reward can be great.
If you want to visit my place, please send me a personal message with the answers to the following questions.
* What attracts you to spending time in nature?
* What is your experience with camping and back-to-basic living? (please be specific)
* What do you think will be challenging for you?
* When would you like to come and how long are you planning to stay?
* Are you coming by car/van/hitch-hiking, or would you like a pickup from the bus station?
* Do you bring your own tent, or would you like to use one of ours?
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
There is free WiFi in the village (15 minutes walk).
Space for parking camper vans
There are always very nice spots to find to park and camp.
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (10)
Beekeeping, hunting invasive wasp nests, flooring the attic, insulating walls . . . and many more. I can highly recommend them.
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Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.7)
Cultural exchange:
(4.4)
Communication:
(4.3)
Beekeeping, hunting invasive wasp nests, flooring the attic, insulating walls . . . and many more. I can highly recommend them.
The land is beautifully secluded in the mountains only 15 minutes walk from the village. Here, you really live in the nature. And it’s great :D
Work would always depend on the weather - either in the garden or renovating the house.
I learned a lot… read more
Strong, learning quick, independent and good fun to have arround.
While staying here the autumn weather was really kicking in.
But Sofie really enjoyed the elements and her moments of solitude and silence.
She lived the whole experience of how it is to live on a off grid… read more
