Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
15 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
13
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
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, 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 hope to finish a separate camp-cottage 100m away.
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. Current age range of inhabitants 35-83.
Non-smoking.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Elderly Companionship
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural 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, humanist.
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 work with neighbour farmers on their vines and with their sheep.
b) in our ongoing building projects, repairing and restoring ruins, converting outbuildings, and more.
c) in the textile studio, fitting it out, spinning, weaving, feltmaking and/or making ceramic 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.
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 6km from a small town. 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. EFL /ESL teacher.
We can also accommodate tent campers and smaller vans, who 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 and meat eaters, we try to eat as much as possible from our land or locavore style, but we're not fanatical!
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. 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. Auto-caravan park 2 km away.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
24 per week to suit activities and individuals.
Feedback (5)
We also often went to the markets… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
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
