Richard & Sanne

Travel information

We are currently

Description

Hi there! We are Rick (35) and Sanne (36). After 9 years of setting up our dream farm and ecotourism in Portugal, we decided it is time to hit the road.
We are looking for projects around the world to get inspired, meet new people and giving a helping hand to others.
We are traveling with our kids, Xavier (9) and Rora (5) and are excited to meet you.

About us
In 2011, we met each other during a workaway project in Portugal. Rick previously finished his bachelor of Zoology and Conservation in Wales. Sanne studied Molecular Biology.
We fell in love and after some years of travel, work and volunteer-projects, we decided to buy a plot of land in the valleys of southwest Portugal to realise our own dreams.

Over the last nine years we have setup an eco-farm and tourist business, Vale da Lua. Created with a minimum budget, we realised this dream with our own hands and the help of many, many volunteers over the years.
We renovated an old farmhouse, set up our own off-grid solar and water systems, build two rammed earth (taipa) apartments to rent out on Airbnb and build a Gypsywagon to setup another nature experience for tourists along our river.
Our main goal is to create a place for ourselves and others to live in nature and we thrive to be as self-sufficient as we can, respecting nature around us.
Over the years we raised our own cows, practising holistic grazing. We raised a pigs in our oakforest and had a lot of free range chickens. We setup a large vegetable garden and fruit tree orchid, providing food year round.

Last August a wildfire sadly passed through our valley. After several months of rebuilding and setting up new off-grid systems, Vale da Lua is now running smoothly once again.
Whilst nature is slowly recovering too, we decided this year would be a good moment for us to travel as a family.

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent

More details about my language interests
This workawayer has indicated that they would be interested in sharing their language(s) or learning a new language. You can contact them directly to discuss this.

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge we'd like to share or learn

We're interested in:  

Art Projects

Being an elderly companion

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Some knowledge of:  

Eco Projects

Charity Work

Helping with Computers/ Internet

Languages

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Able to teach about:  

Teaching

Gardening

DIY and building projects

Animal Care

Life at a Farmstay

Babysitting and creative play

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping around the house

Hospitality/Tourism

General Maintenance

More details about your skills

Rick is a jack of all trades. He often gets excited to start new projects and has determination to overcome any challenge.
He has experience with building, carpentry, farming, solarsystems, grey water systems etc. Handy with tools.
In his free time, he enjoys down-hill biking, riding his motorbike, surfing and playing guitar..

Sanne has a lot of experience in hosting. Being a perfectionist in running a succesfull Airbnb.
Over the years she hosted over 300 volunteers, always making sure everyone is instructed, comfortable and well fed. She easily runs a kitchen for large groups.
She loves spending her free time in the gardens.

Xavier is an outdoor child, who loves to climb, explore and surf. He has a large interest in nature and science. Rora is our little social butterfly.

Age

35 & 35

What else ...

As a family we are used to basic living conditions. During the years, we lived large parts in vans or building sites, whilst setting up our place. We like to spend our free time doing outdoor activities, playing board games or having drinks with friends.
We understand the hosts personal space and will keep communal areas clean.

Links
AIRBNB:
https://www.airbnb.com/h/offgridalentejo
https://www.airbnb.com/h/casaquercus
https://airbnb.com/h/offgridalgarve

Workaway host page:
https://www.workaway.info/en/host/489624315717

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies

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  Special dietary requirements