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10 Apr 2024
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SHOUT OUT! I've space to host a couple of Workawayers in April: we've had a really late Spring so once the weather warms up a bit (soon I hope...) we'll need to catch up with spring jobs and plantings. A friend nearby is leading a 4/5 day walk with her horses around the local area from April 15-18th so if that appeals to you I can put you in touch with her. It's a wonderful way to experience the country!
Hi I'm Debra, otherwise known as Cosmic Granny. I'm trained in the Inka tradition, and I am deeply passionate about our reconnection with the spirits of nature, the land and our universe. 4 years ago I moved to Portugal and am now living on the edge of the highest mountains of Portugal, a land called Serra da Estrela.
Here I fell in love with and bought an ancient farm where I'm working to put into practice the principles of biodynamics and regeneration to make a difference in these times of transition. There are terraces of figs, olives, apples, pears, loquats, vines, persimmon and so much more - the land is abundant. However Portugal is at high and increasing risk of wildfire which imposes some management practices that don't fit well with regenerative practice, and the question of water management is key.
The farm, or quinta in portuguese, means 'wellspring' and this perfectly encapsulates my vision for this as a place of wellbeing for all - for the humans, the land and all the non-human beings. We care for the land, the land cares for us, we all interact within the community and the benefits flow.
Since the produce is all seasonal it brings its own timescale of work in sowing, tending, pruning, harvesting and processing. Below I've listed examples of how we might focus your work while you're here, but the seasonal peaks can't be accurately forecasted. When it's time to harvest and tread the grapes, that's what we do!
None of the produce is currently sold though much is gifted and exchanged with friends and neighbours as I believe that sharing abundance is the route to generating even more. This non-monetary system helps to build strong community and create resilience in both our food systems and our relationships, which for me is a primary aim of my move to Portugal.
This also lights up my goal to bring people into deep engagement with the land, themselves and their community - to act as a Beacon for those wanting to explore alternative living and as a training ground for all of us learning how to live and work in harmony.
As well as farming I'm trained in body and energy therapies, which I practise as time allows, and I'm connected through global networks of energy workers. The local community is surprisingly rich and varied so there are many opportunities to learn, connect and grow while you're here: yoga, meditation, breathwork, dance, shiatsu and horses are just some of the possibilities.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
These mountains are a true refuge of year-round rivers full of fresh water, free-running drinking fountains, ancient knowledge of the land and native forests, even with the frequent fires that sweep through several times per decade. It is remote if you think of Lisbon or Porto, but once you arrive, the embrace of the mountain and of its villagers truly feels like home. That's why it has kept a steady population of locals, younger and older, even in times of rural depopulation across Portugal (and the world). These are people who still do small-hold farming, since everyone has a plot of land with veggies, trees, sheep, and that, even influenced by newer technologies, are still primarily focused on old ways of farming and product creation - some of the local products are a certified sheep cheese, wine, and olive oil. They might not speak English (some speak French) but they are truly welcoming and eager to share their knowledge and stories.
The water abundance, fertile soil and stunning landscape has also attracted expats from all over the world, so there is an ever growing population of internationals who bring new alternative opportunities in terms of regular classes and workshops, markets and community living and events. So coming here is a true experience of local, ancestral tradition and international, alternative connectivity.
Help
the Quinta is 2 hectares: 1 hectare of slopes and terraces on its way to become certified fully organic/biological, and it needs extra love to come back to full vitality after decades of minimal attention. There is also scope for extra infrastructure so me and the land are calling for extra hands, minds and hearts in projects like:
*Tree Care: pruning, mulching, harvesting, planting and tending
*Compost Alchemy: hot piles, biodynamic piles - I'm exploring them all! It takes labour to build, so come and help while you learn
*Tool Store: I don't have diy skills and really need help to organise my workshop and gardening tools
*Food Processing: I'm good at this, and learning all the time. We might be dehydrating, making jam, chutney, vinegar, wine, kimchi - it'll depend on the seasonal harvest. My aim is to preserve without freezing, since that is electricity-dependent
*Worm Compost: is supposed to be an excellent addition to the soil. I can supply materials and direction if you want to come and help set this up
*Compost Toilet: again, I'll supply materials and direction (from an expert, not me!). It'll help create more opportunities on the land if we can get this built.
*Irrigation and/or Pond systems: this is a big project, probably for 2025, but if you're interested let me know
*Green Manures: I'm sowing these this year, come and find out more
*Herbs and Foraging: at some times of the year the land is covered in native wildflowers, many of them edible and/or medicinal. We can gather and preserve
*Pigeon Care: Inherited with the farm, so far they are generating great compost activator, what else is possible?
At all times there is regular maintenance and seasonal tasks, generally pretty varied.
The other half (1 hectare) is sloped land ready for regeneration into a forest of indigenous trees and wildlife refuge. In the meantime it's a resource-generator with the possibility of finding space for little retreat huts and meditation platforms. I invite regeneration enthusiasts to envision this with me.
If any of this appeals to you then please contact me and we'll talk about how to support your goals while assisting development at the Quinta. Ideally you'll have some skills or experience, and you do need to be healthy and fit - the work is physical and the slope of the land is quite steep. The broad outline of exchange is the standard Workaway one, but we can choose a suitable focus for your time here.
I currently live in the village just 5 mins away but am at the quinta most days. This gives you some independence especially on your days off, but is probably less appealing to workawayers who want to be based with a family. I'm also super happy to introduce you to the various community events that go on all the time in case you are feeling social.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Portuguese: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
I want to improve my Portuguese!
Accommodation
I offer a self-contained living space in the shape of a fully-furnished house, with a living room and kitchen, one large bedroom and a bathroom. It is ideal for 1 or 2 people or a couple, and you can be fairly independent in your daily life - on working days we'll eat together but other meals you can prepare as you wish. There is unlimited wifi, many fruits on the trees year-round and whatever seasonal veg are doing well. There is parking space, and you are in walking distance to the village of Cortiçô, where there is a small shop and café and many helpful and welcoming people.
The food is mostly veggie/vegan but you're welcome to add meat if you wish; please ask if you're on a special diet.
If you're travelling in a van you can also park and live on site while using the facilities of the house. For drivers who can legally drive in Portugal, there is a small car to use, with expenses at your own cost.
The area is pretty quiet with amazing views to the Serra da Estrela, and there is plenty of space for you to exercise, or relax, read, study, meditate and generally focus on your wellbeing; it's a wonderful opportunity to tune into yourself in the surroundings of vibrant nature.
What else ...
There are easy connections by bus to arrive here from Lisbon (4h) and Porto (2h) (the train is stopped at the moment). Locally there is little public transport but it's usually possible to get around by sharing rides and I can loan a car if necessary, with expenses at your own cost.
There is a surprisingly vibrant social life in these villages and towns, with many cafés and restaurants where people drink coffee, beer, wine and talk and meet everyday. Within the ex-pat community there are many skills and practices to be shared, including yoga, breathwork, meditation, shiatsu and others, so you've plenty of opportunities to explore.
There are two big cities 30kms away - Viseu and Guarda - and several towns closer, such as Fornos de Algodres, Mangualde, Gouveia, Trancoso and Celorico da Beira, so there is close-enough access to supermarkets and other shops and city-life. Everywhere around here is an authentic postcard, with easy access to marked or unmarked hikes, spots to read in surrounded by nature, rivers to swim in (such as the river beach in Juncais), and we are quite close to the more well-known places in the Serra da Estrela, such as Seia, Manteigas and Covilhã.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
The wifi connection is unlimited and with good reception. There is a nice living room/kitchen with a big table that can serve as a desk.
Space for parking camper vans
If you are travelling in your own van, so much the better: there is plenty of flat hard-standing space to park and you can use all the facilities of the house - kitchen, bathroom, water etc. Any size of van is possible.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
