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23 Jan 2024
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Description
Hi there, thanks for choosing to read our entry :))
We live on a small farm (2.5 hectares) inland of Central Portugal, 30km from the Spanish border in a beautiful wild area. From our land you can see the mountain of Monsanto (Sacred Mountain).
We have 80 olive trees, 250 vines, various fruit trees and an ever-expanding vegetable garden.
We are restoring the land; planting trees and digging ponds and swales. We are working towards a food forest, self-sufficiency, and money-less living. Those are our ultimate goals!
Volunteers will be working on any of the land projects: digging garden beds, planting trees, watering the nursery, working in the veggie garden or helping us build because we are still in the process of creating structures.
We like to use natural methods of building and work with reclaimed materials as much as possible.
We are designing our property along the lines of permaculture principles. A friend recently called our life-style 'natural living'. We don't really know what that means but we like the sound of it!
We have two dogs, three cats, and seven chickens. Water is harvested rainwater. Toilet is a long-drop. It is all pretty basic, but we are having the best time ever!
Volunteers will be staying in a self-contained cabin on our land. It's a beautiful, spacious, light space. There is a photo of it in our photos.
Meals are vegetarian, and we eat as much as possible from the garden.
We speak some English, Dutch, French, Spanish, German, Portuguese, and Hebrew.
Musicians, children, animals and other interesting people are welcome!Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practiceHelp with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpGeneral MaintenanceUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Being in Portugal, and especially in this area, travellers will experience traditional Portuguese rural life. Old agricultural techniques and tools are still in daily use and quite a few older people still use only their donkey and cart for transport.
A small population of foreigners live on small farms through-out the area and there's someone from everywhere! On our land we are using a blend of traditional and alternative methods for both agriculture and construction so whatever you feel like helping with, hopefully you'll learn something new.
We would also like to learn any new skills from volunteers and are happy for people to experiment.Help
Volunteers will be volunteering on any of the land projects, or helping us build because we are still in the process of creating structures. Seasonal harvests are also possible with grapes in September and olives in October/November
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Spanish: Intermediate
French: Intermediate
Hebrew: Intermediate
Portuguese: IntermediateAccommodation
Volunteers will be staying in a self-contained, spacious, light cabin on our land.
What else ...
When its hot (often!) we like to go swimming at the Idanha-a-Nova lake or the smaller lake in Penha Garcia. Also the municipal swimming pool in Idanha-a-Nova is surprisingly pleasant.
The village of Monsanto is really stunning. Its even more beautiful than the photos of it. We often go up there and walk to the top of the mountain. Usually we are the only people there.
There are lots of signed walking routes around the area, through old olive groves and cork oak forests. You can easily walk to Idanha-Velha from our land. Another little jewel of a village.
Its best to have your own transport out here, but there are regular buses to the nearest city about an hour away, Castelo Branco, where there are intercity trains and buses.
We love the quietness and remoteness of our land and the whole area actually.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
We have had quite large vans parking up with no problem. The spot is under a big shady tree with amazing views. No electricity or water at the parking.
Can possibly accept pets
Dogs that are sociable with other dogs and that don't chase cats or chickens. And any other animals that follow the same guidelines!
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (3)
She stayed with us for almost 3 weeks and in that time she helped us with everything we were doing, including a big olive harvest and preparing firewood for the winter. She was very capable both working together with us as a team and also working on her own. Hard physical labour didn't phase her and she did… read more
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She stayed with us for almost 3 weeks and in that time she helped us with everything we were doing, including a big olive harvest and preparing firewood for the winter. She was very capable both working together with us as a team and also working on her own. Hard physical labour didn't phase her and she did… read more
Pin cooked us a delicious meal… read more