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85 %
Last replied
15 Feb 2023
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Description
Ours is an old quinta built around an even older Spring we have been blessed to live here for the last few years and are now ready to welcome others to join us to help continue this labour of love.
We are a mature couple with plenty of life experience. We are interested and curious about the world. Our vision for the quinta is to create a space of healing and connection, for ourselves and for others. To deepen our understanding of natural world and find ways to make peace with her as we grow and learn. Using permaculture, biodynamic, no dig principles and some instinct and intuition we aim to restore and rejuvinate this place. We are presently beginning to develop our plan for the next 5 years of this adventure and wish to invite others to share and contribute to this process.
We both share an interest in spiritual practice, creativity, music, craft and ecology. The quinta aims to be a place where all these activities can flourish and grow to benefit not only ourselves but future generations.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
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
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The culture of being human is something that we all share, no matter where we come from, or where we are going. The moments of meeting is a process in which exchange happens.
One of us has had 3 children and 4 Grandchildren, the other has no children but loves to spend time with children. We were born in different generations and are both interested in culture, science, healing, philosophy (both political and esoteric). We love to discuss ideas and explore what it is to be alive at this challenging and testing times. We have experience in meditation, mindfulness and other practices focusing on inner connectivity.
Before moving to Portugal we spent many years supporting meditation/plant medicine circles as a musician and healer.
We have both worked with the public sector in the UK, yet have primarily lived 'alternative lives'.
We are situated within the heart of the Benfeita district of central Portugal which is rich in alternative culture and eco sensitive projects.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Our land had been neglected for approximately 40 years. We have been working together to create food gardens and build infrastructure for ourselves and volunteers and are now ready to invite others to join us in the venture.
We would like help to continue with this process by; clearing overgrown areas, repairing dry stone terrace walls, increasing areas for growing food, herbs, helper plants and flowers. Utilising permaculture, bio dynamic and no dig principles. As part of this we are undertaking the planting trees, sowing and tending seeds through stages of growth towards harvest. We are increasing our infrastrucure in support of day to day living and toward our long term goal of creating a non dogmatic, heart centred space for spiritual enquiry and development and therefore there are always low impact building and construction projects to engage in.
We are open to exploring with volunteers what kind of tasks they would like to engage in and what areas they wish to build skills in. There is always a lot to do on a quinta and the tasks can often take longer to complete then we imagine. Connecting into the experience of how much we can achieve compared to how much we want to achieve has been a humbling teaching here. Watching the beauty of the land and it's fertility evolve over our time has been a real joy. While there is always alot to do, we wish to invite you into the art of being and doing at the same time. The joy that comes from turning up at our task day after day and watching it evolve and develop can never be undervalued.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Portuguese: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
We are interested in opportunities to improve our Portuguese.
Accommodation
Our accommodation is a 2 berth caravan. This caravan has been with us since the start of our time here. We live in a series of wooden cabins and caravans and our volunteer space is included in this. We live on a ledge overlooking our land with south facing mountain views.
We also have a small/medium campervan space, which is more secluded. The access is off road so the camper will need to have a relatively high wheel base and be robust enough to handle the track.
Food will be provided. Dietary requirements and discussion around support with food prep, cooking and tidying after food by email before visit.
Susan has worked as a vegetarian cook professionally for a number of years. I still enjoy cooking and at present am ominiverous. I also enjoy to share what I have learnt and encourage people to explore food as a creative and giving expression.
What else ...
The Benfeita area is popular with those wishing to live an alternative lifestyle. There are regular markets and community events to engage in, nevermind the beautiful scenery, water courses and mountain vistas.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have a good Wifi connection, at present we pay for data we use. We would be happy to host digital nomads if they were able to contribute to extra Wifi costs.
Space for parking camper vans
We would be happy to host workaways with campervans and have a small parkup in a beautiful area of the land. For access to the land the camper would need to have a relatively high wheel base and be a sturdy vehicle as the access is up a steep dirt track.
Can possibly accept pets
Possibly. We would like to discuss this first, as we have a small dog and a dog averse cat.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
