Profile information
Host rating
85 %
Last replied
6 Mar 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
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Details
Description
We, Karin, Emil and dogs Panga and Loulou, are putting our efforts into creating a small, self sufficient, community connected farm by restoring what once was a pig-farm with stables and fields in a valley with a small river flowing through it and a piece of forest on the far side. We started in December 2021 and are slowly building up to having more animals like chickens and sheep creating the necessary structures to sustain that. We are already eating a lot of produce from our vegetable garden and preserving food for the winter. This year we will be extending the growing area and building extra greenhouse capacity. We are fully off grid which means we get our electricity from our own solar system and a backup generator. Drinking water we filter from the available wells. The quinta is in a quiet valley without much traffic noise surrounded by nature but still only 5 minutes drive from Oliveira do Hospital.
There is always a list with tasks and stuff to do, so as a volunteer you can pick stuff you like, are good at or stuff you'd like to gain experience in.
Gardening, Cooking, Forestry tasks,
All kinds of building and creating,
Troubleshooting and fixing stuff and general maintenance, Playing music, Walking the dogs, Solar electric system, Off grid water system and drinking water filtering, Irrigation and working with different types of pumps, Foodswap and markets, Social events.
As a volunteer you can participate in all the activities of daily life on the quinta and in the projects that are always happening.
We usually start the day around 9 with breakfast where we talk about what we will be doing that day. So for instance we start off in the garden with collecting ingredients for lunch or dinner and doing some green maintenance. Then we help on the project at hand. When it's raining there's always projects in the workshop like building furniture or fixing stuff.
We have lunch at about 12.30 and after that we continue tasks or go shopping or whatever is necessary at that moment. We do our best to provide varied activities and alternate high- and low intensity tasks.
We have dinner at about 18.00 and after that we have free time to enjoy a walk or play music or whatever we want. We like to all participate in preparing meals and cleaning up afterwards. But sometimes depending on the tasks we choose one person to prepare a course from start to finish. So the others are free for a certain project.
Because we don't watch TV and our lifestyle we go to bed early most of the time. We make exceptions for due celebrations!
Emil studied music therapy, plays guitar and teaches Malinke percussion on djembe and doundouns. He is a self taught all round handyman who loves welding and building. And recently found the love for growing vegetables and gardening.
He likes to focus on one main project and now that's the quinta.
Karin handles the social relations and stays in touch with the local community of people that are all in their own right creating an alternative to mainstream life. She loves animals and takes care of the education of dog Panga and guest pets. Does most of the cooking and housekeeping. And food preservation and storage.
To enjoy nature you don't have to leave the quinta. It has a patch of forest which is connected to the surrounding hills and has several dirt roads, great for walking through the valley where you rarely run into other people.
There are lots of boulders to climb. Nearby there are beautiful river beaches in the Mondego, Alva and Dão rivers. And off course the high mountains of the Serra d'estrella. In the neighbouring towns there are nice bars, restaurants and terraces. And supermarkets etc.
With the coach from Oliveira do Hospital it's easy to visit places like coimbra and other cities. We sometimes visit local markets and events and as a volunteer you are more then welcome to join.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
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
Enjoy the stay in nature while learning about organic farming hands on, developing new skills and crafts. And generally having a great, usefully spent, time.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
There is always a list with tasks and stuff to do, so as a volunteer you can pick stuff you like, are good at or stuff you'd like to gain experience in.
Gardening, Cooking, Forestry tasks,
All kinds of building and creating,
Troubleshooting and fixing stuff and general maintenance, Playing music, Walking the dogs, Solar electric system, Off grid water system and drinking water filtering, Irrigation and working with different types of pumps, Foodswap and markets, Social events.
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
French: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
We are particularly interested in learning Portugese.
Accommodation
We offer a heated caravan with a little kitchen. And in summer there's a large area for camping in tents. Also rv's and vans are welcome. We have a hot shower and several compost toilets available.
What else ...
We are close to Oliveira do Hospital. To get there from either Lisbon or Porto you first travel to Coimbra. From there a coach to Oliveira where we will pick you up.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
In winter we have space for a maximum of 2 vans. In summer we have a big field for vans and tents.
Can possibly accept pets
If you have a social pet there should not be a problem. We have two dogs that love to play.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
