The image depicts a middle-aged couple standing together, posing for a photo, with the woman on the left and the man on the right, both smiling at the camera.
The image depicts a two-story white house with a red-tiled roof, featuring a balcony, garage, and a well-manicured yard with plants and trees.
Two dogs, with light brown fur and dark brown noses, lie on a red couch, resting their heads on a blue and pink striped blanket.
The image depicts a two-story white house with a red roof, surrounded by lush greenery and a clear blue sky on a sunny day.
1 / 4

Help with garden maintenance and DIY near Serpins Lousa, Portugal

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are a mature, active couple from Britain and came to live in Portugal about eleven years ago. We are generally busy most days with garden maintenance and the usual household tasks. We have two smallish, friendly dogs.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    This area is extremely peaceful but offers the opportunity to explore Portugal and learn about its people, their customs and history! The population is mixed and local towns have plenty of bars, restaurants and other attractions.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Help

    Help

    Large garden set in 2 - 3 acres (1+ hectare) at the edge of woodland/forest combination of edible crops and decorative areas. A few years ago we started converting two old stone houses into a modern dwelling suitable for our own living accommodation and offering as a venue for small retreats and sometimes B and B. We try to manage the gardens and house as ecologically as possible with solar power and wood -burning'recuperador' for hot water and using the minimum of sprays/pesticides in the gardens (working on eliminating them altogether eventually!) There is a continual need for basic garden maintenance, the dreaded weeding, strimming, pruning, planting and so on! Skills with and knowledge of light garden machinery use and maintenance would be an asset for us! There may be other DIY, light building jobs needed from time to time as well!

    Obviously the type of work and intensity varies according to the time of year and the weather patterns, but generally speaking there is always basic gardening to do, so good to be strong enough and willing to dig tree/shrub planting holes, pull weeds out by the roots thoroughly as well as knowing the difference between weeds and cultivated plants in addition to any other gardening skills you may have would be desirable.

    Sometimes Isabel would appreciate a break from the everyday routines of keeping house and putting good wholesome food on the table, so help in these areas would also go down well with us!

    We are the first house in a small village of about 40 families surrounded by rolling hills and close to beautiful countryside, great area for walking, cycling, fishing, river swimming and generally exploring. The nearest town is just 4kms from us with transport links (local buses) to larger towns and cities like Coimbra, Lisbon and Porto.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Intermediate
    French: Intermediate
    Portuguese: Intermediate

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    We offer superior quality accommodation in either a single or a twin-bedded room and the use of your own bathroom. There is normally good internet service as we now have fibre-optic connections to the house. Hot-water supply is from solar panels during the Summer months and gas or wood -fire at other times. Our drinking water is either from a local spring or our bore-hole, so free of all the normal additives (fluoride and /or chlorine) and is generally excellent. Unless you want to 'do your own thing', generally you would eat with us as a'family member'.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    The University City of Coimbra is about 40 minutes drive away (a little longer by bus) and is an excellent kicking-off point for getting to know what Portugal is all about. There are good tourist information centres in the City and you will have no problem finding places to visit in the area!

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

Host ref number: 939673124642

Website Safety

Feedback (6)



Photos

The image depicts a two-story white house with a red-tiled roof, featuring a balcony, garage, and a well-manicured yard with plants and trees.
Two dogs, with light brown fur and dark brown noses, lie on a red couch, resting their heads on a blue and pink striped blanket.
The image depicts a two-story white house with a red roof, surrounded by lush greenery and a clear blue sky on a sunny day.
The image depicts a middle-aged couple standing together, posing for a photo, with the woman on the left and the man on the right, both smiling at the camera.

Feedback









Join in food forest creation, house renovation and horse care in Aljezur, Portugal
Help me transform my place in Olháo, East Algarve, Portugal