Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
31 Aug 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 4 days
Feedback
10
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Hello! We’re Nuno and Karen, a Portuguese–English couple who first met in England back in 2017.
Now retired, we’re happily settled in the beautiful Portalegre District in Central–Southern Portugal, where we’ve recently finished converting a barn into our cosy home. With the renovation complete, we’re finally enjoying more time for our hobbies—Karen has taken up painting, while Nuno is back to his lifelong passion: sea fishing.
This year, Nuno’s fishing team had a fantastic season and is now heading to the World Championship in France. We will be away from the 3rd to the 12th of October. We’re both excited to go, but it means we’re looking for a lovely couple to look after our two much-loved companions: Olly, our very friendly dog, and Mali, our equally affectionate cat. So if you can stay a couple of days before we go, you can fall in love with them both. Also, if you can stay after we return, having the car means you can visit the area at your leisure. You will love it.
We’re a relaxed, caring pair who truly enjoy welcoming energetic, responsible couples who love animals, have a driver’s license, and would enjoy a peaceful countryside stay. Over the years, many of the wonderful people we've hosted have become lifelong friends, and we’d love to welcome new ones from this lovely community.
If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, we’d be delighted to hear from you!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Animal Care
House sitting
Interests
Self development
Cooking & food
Photography
Writing
Gardening
Plant care
Music
DIY & crafts
Books
Art & design
Blogging
Architecture
Carpentry
Drawing & painting
Animals
Water sports
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We have found the small village of Barbacena very welcoming and we often enjoy a mid-morning coffee in one of the local coffee shops. They also serve meals.
There is plenty of culture and history to explore. The nearby city of Elvas is very beautiful, the features of the castle/fortress are everywhere. There is public transport if needed. In addition, we are only 20 km from Badajoz on the Spanish border.
Nuno speaks fluently; English, Spanish, French and, of course, Portuguese. Alternatively, I only speak English, but I usually get by, lol!
Over the years we have both gained a variety of skills and knowledge, which we love sharing while learning new skills.
Nuno was a PE teacher when he first left school and is still very generous in sharing his knowledge and life skills. He has recently retired from counselling where he specialised in helping problem gamblers.
He now enjoys many things with pruning and DIY projects a couple of his loves. His DIY skills have certainly come in very helpful during the transformation of our barn. You will be inspired by what items he has repurposed and transformed.
I have gained skills throughout my life, from hospitality, sewing, social marketing, SEO, websites, cooking, cleaning and recently learning building skills, I can also use an angle grinder LOL! I have always been interested in yoga, meditation and mindfulness.
We are very receptive to learning new things. Our motto is: you are never too old!
Help
We live in a small village called Barbacena, near the beautiful heritage city of Elvas in Portugal’s Alentejo region. Badajoz in Spain is 30 minutes by car.
Over the past two years, we’ve been busy converting an old barn into a cosy, comfortable home—no small task, but we have now completed it! Now we have time to enjoy our retirement and our hobbies.
We’re now looking for a kind and responsible couple to care for our two much-loved companions: Olly, our very friendly dog, and Mali, our equally affectionate cat and in return we’d love to offer you a warm and peaceful stay, while we are away you will have the whole place to use and there will be a well stocked fridge.
We also have four chickens, so you’ll be rewarded with fresh eggs for breakfast!
In our previous home in Alombada near Aveiro, we had the pleasure of hosting many wonderful Workaways—individuals, couples, and friends. This time around, with our current setup, we feel that our guest accommodation is best suited for a couple, and we’d love to offer you a warm and peaceful stay.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
Accommodation
You’ll be staying in a spacious double bedroom with a completely separate entrance from the main house, giving you full privacy. The room has its own bathroom with a walk-in shower, toilet, and washbasin for your comfort.
Our property is fully walled and gated, so you’ll enjoy peace, seclusion, and security during your stay.
There’s free Wi-Fi throughout the property, and a lovely shaded seating area under the lemon tree—perfect for relaxing with a book or morning coffee. We also have a large outdoor kitchen with a BBQ, pizza oven, and even a fire pit for cosy evenings under the stars.
Before we head off, we’ll stock the fridge and freezer, and there’ll be plenty of tea, coffee, and ice-cold water to keep you hydrated.
You’ll also have full run of the house, including the main kitchen and comfortable sitting room. We want you to feel right at home.
What else ...
We are very happy to socialise.
We also love talking and eating around the large dining table.
If you have a valid driving license, the car is at your disposal ( NB before and after we are away)
A washing machine is available.
There are beautiful walks nearby as well as fishing lakes.
The sunsets and sunrises are very stunning, filling the whole sky for miles
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
There is a desk in our bedroom with very fast fibre internet.
Space for parking camper vans
We have space to park your campervan
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (4)
We are glad to have been able to use our design skills and help with their project. We are happy that they are so sensitive to the environment, use the surrounding resources and take care of every detail. We were just… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(5.0)
We are glad to have been able to use our design skills and help with their project. We are happy that they are so sensitive to the environment, use the surrounding resources and take care of every detail. We were just… read more
Bernardo was very generous with his time and expertise in IG, especially as he had his own commitments to take care of.
He enjoyed cooking and it was a pleasure for us to be… read more
Karen and Nuno are generous and hardworking hosts, always happy to answer your questions.
Thanks for inviting me to your place and all the interesting stories you shared with me/us. You can be glad to have found this place.… read more
We were very pleased with her help and work contributions.
Her English is excellent and she wasn't afraid to ask questions.
We were also pleased that she enjoyed walking around the many paths surrounding our property.
She completed all tasks with a mindful dedication to detail.
Nothing was too much trouble, and she was always available with a helping hand, like, volunteering to set the table and clear away etc.
We also engaged in thought-provoking conversations,… read more
