Join me in creating a mini edible garden in a traditional village near Pedrógão Grande, Portugal

Details

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  Description

  Hi WorkAwayers!
  
  Update(16/5/25):
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  I am looking for someone to start any time soon to help me in my garden or on carpentry work. The land is 500m2 and I have done a lot of work over the 6 months I have lived there, but it still needs the stone walls restoring, the paths contoured, the wild flowers encouraged and some landscaping that I am doing myself.
  There is a lot of pressure from the locals for me to do it their way and as a single woman I get the worst kind of attention.
  You will stay in my little perfect Polish caravan, very attractive, clean, tidy but small and not made for a couple or a tall person who doesn't want to bend whilst using the stove. I really need someone who is careful and conscious of their environment where they live and does not mind keeping to themselves.
  
  It can be too hot in July & August, and April/May/Sept/Oct are cooler but also wetter months. I also run a guest room for tourists which is why I have blocked out July and August in the calendar on WorkAway, but if you are the right person you will be welcome to stay at that time also.
  
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  I live in central Portugal surrounded by river and trees. The location of the project is a little village set within traditional Portuguese village life (hortas, dogs, mosquitos, cats plus the challenges and beauty of having close neighbours).
  
  I am an individual with much life experience, a very able and determined woman with a lot of common sense. Portugal has been my heart home for 35yrs yet I am a British Ukrainian mix. I've chosen the hard life of the road less travelled while maintaining a high level of education and morality around my lifestyle choices. I am an ecologist, therapist and carer.
  
  My home is a small restored ruin of stone and wood. It is cute. I simply need physical help on my land where I have planted food crops that need help to establish. I am a very physical woman and do all DIY myself but I simply need the assistance of one equally able person (or a couple) to help me create a mini piece of paradise amongst the village hortas (veg patches) to help me grow food and give back to the environment here that has deeply been affected by forest fires & slash and burn mentalities.
  
  You will have the chance to stay somewhere that is very popular in the summer months with the Portuguese city folk, and the North European walkers and bikers - it is a rural holiday destination. There are many swimming opportunities in fresh water locations as the government has provided the area with an abundance of river beaches (praia fluviais). Access to a nearby town is easy. The sea is 1 hour away, Lisbon 2hours, OPorto 1.5 hours, and the Serra da Estrela mountain range 1 hour.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects
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  Interests

  

  Self development

  

  Farming

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  Sustainability

  

  Plant care

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Books

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Gardening

  

  Writing

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Carpentry

  

  Animals

  

  Hiking

  

  Mountain

  

  Dancing

  

  Beach

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Nature
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I am happy to occasionally take you to river spots and other sites of interest for culture, relaxation and immersion in nature. I tend to head to cafes, social events and restaurants alone as my family live in the South and in Lisboa.
  
  I am not massively social and I am currently feeling quite overwhelmed with my project, so I tend to hide but my neighbours are supporting me and I'd like to think you can learn from the Portuguese community also.
  
  There is a large number of non Portuguese residents in the area, Pachamamas is a lovely vegetarian restaurant that has live entertainment every Friday night. The town of Pedrogao Grande has cafes, restaurants, mini markets, fresh markets and a cinema. There are plenty of fiestas in many nearby towns.

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  Help

  I would love someone who likes to help with the earth - l am looking specifically for someone to create a garden path from recycled materials, to help me shape my land to grow rows of flowers & veg and to help restore the existing stone walls.
  
  I am planting fruit and watering by hand through the Summer so I am involved with the land already. The locals are a little frustrated with me as I am enjoying weeding by hand and not using gas guzzling equipment, they'd rather see the plants cut and killed, though there are other Portuguese who are supporting this more traditional relaxed way of handling the land.
  
  I would like someone who prefers helping with themselves, I do not want to manage or encourage anyone to help.
  
  Though a word of warning I do have high standards, expect common sense and want a task to be done mindfully and with care, NOT 'get the task done and on to the next'!
  
  I am a kind and understanding individual and hold a deeper level of space if needed. I am not a party animal and like my own company, but I am friendly:) I need someone who is conscientious, who communicates very well and above all values honesty in themselves and others.
  
  If you have more experience than me of building garden structures by hand and can help me make decisions (as I am struggling on my own without input from experienced others) then this would be a huge bonus!!! I have access to input from people who professionally educate on biomimicry, compost, biochar, permaculture, soil, Mediterranean fruit and forest gardens if we need it......

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Portuguese: Intermediate
  Ukrainian: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I would love a Ukrainian to speak/learn💫
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  Accommodation

  I have various accommodation options.
  
  The first is a cute Polish caravan I have driven to Portugal from the UK, it is in perfect condition (double bed, separate seating area, all towels, bedding, crockery and foods included. It has a sink inside it with a running tap and the toilet is a compostable option that I would set up for you and that we can work out together).
  
  If my guest room is available and the summer turns to winter then you will have your own ensuite bedroom with kitchenette option in my own house with everything you may need including hot water, heating and electricity.
  
  The third option is a one of my beautiful tent set ups that I used at festivals as a therapists.
  
  I can provide breakfast foods, and vegetarian or fish late lunch. Health is still a priority to me so most of what I source is ethically grown, local or organic.

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  What else ...

  There is a main bus station here in Pedrogao Grande for access to other parts of Portugal.
  I live my life tidily and take care of my environment and will accept anyone using my space and facilities to take as much care of my equipment also, thank you but I do not agree with the throw away culture that is of our time - much of my equipment is restored, given to me or intended to last my lifetime. Thank you.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  There is a campsite (paid) and lake parking (free) just around the corner for you to use:)

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Cats that don't scratch furniture I can accept:)

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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