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14 Jan 2025
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We are a small developing permaculture-style project with a locavore, pragmatist feel, in a rural area near the Portuguese border. 3 generations who have lived on several continents and on sailing boats, islands, in jungles, and more. We have a stone bread oven, covered and heated swimming pool, veg garden, orchards, woodlands, with riverbank walks at 200m distance. There's a small town, petroglyphs and hot springs 10 min away, larger towns 20-45 min away in 2 countries. We speak English, moderate French and Spanish. We’re restorers, craftsmen, keen cooks, and the art studios on the property are currently working in painting, ceramic sculpture, bronze, and textile crafts.
We are developing ecological uses and teaching/encouraging the processing of local wool into a range of products from fertilizer to felt to yarn, by spinning and then using it to weave, knit, crochet, etc. to keep it out of the waste stream and restore its value.
Opportunities to try all the above arts and crafts, restore and use equipment such as spinning wheels, assist in craft revival in the area, teach your special skills, collaborate with other artists. Learn from a wide range of skills in house restoration, crafts, fine arts, and languages. This summer we finished a separate camp-cottage 100m away, available from next spring. Second house 5 min walk, with wood-stove, full bathroom, kitchen and washing machine, to rent between projects.
We offer private rooms, some family meals (omnivore but can cater to some allergies/issues), kitchenette for breakfast/snacks, use of pool, small tent/van spaces. Regular social activities with musicians, other craftspeople. On a small Camino de Santiago, with many walking trails and historic centres nearby, buses 2x a day, 10 min drive to train, 45 to city/airport/high speed train. Local farms produce our wine, meat, eggs, etc. Bread delivered daily. Local fruit and veg. Cooking from scratch, international fusion. Current age range of inhabitants 37-83.
Non-smoking.Types of help and learning opportunities
Art ProjectsLanguage practiceHelp with Eco ProjectsElderly CompanionshipGardeningDIY and building projectsFarmstay helpHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceCultural exchange and learning opportunities
We have a huge range of skills and interests from 3 continents, and we're interested in all types of exchange of knowledge, community and heritage, particularly food-related, artistic, folkloric. Pragmatists with scientific outlook, sympathy with nature and environment preferred. We are not religious or superstitious, and tend to skepticism, scientific proof, leftwing humanism.
Help
We can use help -
a) expanding our self-sufficiency and farming project in veg garden and by tree coppicing, pruning, planting, weeding, repairing equipment, fencing, clearing land etc. , we have quail for eggs.
b) in our ongoing building projects, repairing and restoring ruins, converting outbuildings, and more.
c) in the textile studio, spinning, weaving, feltmaking and/or making ceramics, tile and other products. Free lessons while we work! + teaching painting and other crafts.
d) in the house, daily chores and presence in case of difficulties of elderly parent.Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
French: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
We currently have one speaker of Eng/Fr/Sp, one of Eng/Fr, and one of Eng/Sp! So happy to do day-to-day activities and classes in any of the above but not all at once! EFL (English as a foreign language) classes are also an option if desired, for all age-ranges.Accommodation
Private room, shared bath in house, or bed/sofa beds with small shower-room in studios.
Parking for small van adjacent. Roadside parking above and use of camp-cottage.
Second house at 1 km away (6 min walk) sometimes available.
There is good wifi, and cellphone reception. No smoking, no drugs, moderate alcohol users only, please.What else ...
We start with a week trial period, and would most like visits of one to three months by 1 or 2 people. We're 6 km from a small town so very rural. Nearby hiking, river with trout-fishing, swimming pool on property, many hot-springs in area, close to Portuguese border and several National Parks.
Many arts and crafts available, with professional artist/art teacher for tips, lessons in your own time, use of equipment by arrangement. EFL /ESL teacher.
We can also accommodate tent campers and smaller vans, who can have use of a separate half-bath, pool with outdoor shower, workshop space, etc. Washing machine available. Mild climate, frost rare. Summers up to 38C.
You need sun gear, hats, decent work shoes and jeans for clearing bush and building work, otherwise light weight clothing, for swimming and hiking. Please tell us about allergies and phobias. We can cater to vegetarians or meat eaters, we try to eat as much as possible from our land or locavore style, but we're not fanatical! We have a cat, there are many cats and loose dogs in village, we keep quail in a large fruit cage.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 strong fibre connection installed in 2021, also in second house. Desk-space available in studios and bedrooms. Printer (B&W)/Scanner available. Tech expert [software engineer] in-house for issues!
Space for parking camper vans
Parking for smaller vans only due to small entrance gate and slope, narrow roads. Auto-caravan park 2 km away.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
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Mandy's place is a creative hub, buzzing with a variety of interesting… read more
PEOPLE
Mandy, Tristam and xxx are a sweet, kind,… read more
I will fondly remember your place surrounded by nature, the walks in the forest, the lunches and dinners together with the fantastic garlic butter bread! And the pudding! I also appreciate the way you carry on this project of rediscovering traditions, with passion and… read more
We also often went to the markets… read more
I needed. I enjoyed making ceramics and carding wool, working in the garden. I hope to… read more
Bernadette can work alone or in groups, takes initiative, great… read more
Jordi worked very hard and capably in the gardens, small building projects, and in the art studios, producing his own work as well as learning the wool… read more