The mountains are calling for you to enjoy nature, eco-building, beekeeping and gardening in rural Benfeita, Portugal

Infos

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  Description

  ~ This year 2024 our focus is on beekeeping / gardening and steadily working on the house. Insulating walls and floors, installing doors .
  We run 3 communal gardens with a lot of lovely and knowledgeable neighbors. 😊 ~
  
  In June I am looking for a house sitter. For taking care of the car and maintaining of the garden.
  
  Beekeeping: the bees are ending their winter rest and are full busy getting nectar, pollen and are making loads of new bees. :-)
  We will go maintain the hives and place many boxes to attract new swarms. 🐝🐝🐝
  
  The pink house: Last years we have been restoring and isolating a 90m2 roof on a traditional Portuguese xisto-house and we put in the wooden floors.
  
  Now we are going to insulate the floors and walls with cork and wood and render them with cob or lime plaster. No special skills needed. A good physical condition and a bit handy is enough. :-)
  
  Also we are making frames for all the 2nd hand doors and windows that I bought, Also for me a whole new experience. :-) Fortunately I have some neighbors / friends with experience.
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  You are invited to a natural and wild valley in Central Portugal. There are ancient stone staircases covered in moss, waterfalls and wild flourishing forests. The area is steep and uneven and twisting walking paths mark the way.
  
  For me, the Valley is a place to return to the basics of life and to connect to nature. It’s a place where I try to limit my impact on the planet. Right now I am focused on cleaning and landscaping the land, beekeeping, gardening and renovating a house in the village. Basic facilities like electricity, running water, vegetable garden, field-kitchen and toilet have already been made. I use mostly hand tools, some electrical power tools, and as much local materials as possible. Most of the work is physical and can make you dirty (or wet). I choose to settle in this valley because of the clean air, pure water and wild nature and wish to share the experience of being here with others.
  
  My name is Haico and I am originally from the Netherlands. Before I moved to Portugal, I had an organic supermarket and a restaurant. I am looking for people who enjoy pioneering, learning and exploring together with me here.
  
  There are two super cats on the land, Chomsky and Baixinha (little one), who love to cuddle, play and make you laugh.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  Aide dans une ferme

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général
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  Objectifs de développement durable de l’ONU que cet hôte essaie d'atteindre

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  Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  I am not the only immigrant close to Benfeita. A community of people from different backgrounds and various countries have moved to this area to live in harmony with nature. There is a communal kitchen every Friday, a monthly market, a women's, a man's and a mixed circel, a yoga class every week. As community we often help each other out at our Quintas (farms). If you are staying with me for a while you will surely get to know these people and their ways. You will be inspired about all the ways in which you can build your live outside of the prescriptive path by 'normal' society.
  
  In the mountain villages close to my valley (Benfeita, Pai das Donas and Luadas) there are still a few older Portuguese people living a traditional life. You will see people herding their sheep and goats and in summer you can enjoy local food en dances at the annual summer feasts. The local café has delicious sandwiches and in the afternoons you can always find someone there to share a beer or a wine with (or a cup of coffee/tea).
  
  My valley is 15 minutes walking from these places. Most of the time you will be with just a few people or alone (although we try to have at least 2 volunteers at the same time). If you are used to a life in the city and a lot of social interactions, this loneliness can be deeply nurturing, but also extremely confronting. Without all the city distractions, most people are faced with their longings, fears, expectations and boundaries. Moving through these you have the chance to really connect with yourself and nature.

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  Aide

  The help at hand in this phase of the project is physical and basic. I like to say it is what you did when you were playing outside as a kid (at least if you are from my generation). We are digging in the sand and in the mud, playing with water and tubes in the river, making ‘huts’ from wood and building walls with stones.
  
  Gardening: weeding, harvesting, bramble pulling
  Beekeeping
  
  It is important that you can work independently and also enjoy time alone in nature. The nearest villages are a 15 minutes hike away.
  
  An open mindset and a good physical condition is more important than your skills. You are very welcome to come learn with me.

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Anglais: Courant
  Hollandais: Courant
  Allemand: Intermédiaire
  Portugais: Intermédiaire
  Français: Débutant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  Cet hôte a indiqué qu’il souhaitait faire partager sa propre langue ou en apprendre une nouvelle.
  Contactez-le pour en savoir plus.
  
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  Hébergement

  Back to basic! NEW: I can offer two places in inner tents in a traditional stone shed.
  Also there are tents available and there is also space to put your own tent.
  All nearby a basic field kitchen and a compost toilet.
  
  The shed also has storage/space and there is a hammock to be chilled in.
  My yurt is at the top of the land. Showering is done in the river and clothes are washed in the machine we can use in the village. There is electricity.
  
  I offer a place in a private tent and 3 meals a day (a porridge & fruit breakfast, a cooked lunch and ingredients to make your own dinner snack). We cook in turns. I cook mainly vegetarian, and don't mind to make that vegan if a volunteer would prefer it.

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  Autres infos...

  I want to live the mountain life then this is your chance. The steep slopes, weather conditions and the lack of the comforts from back home can be challenging. But the reward can be great.
  
  If you want to visit my place, please send me a personal message with the answers to the following questions.
  
  * What attracts you to spending time in nature?
  * What is your experience with camping and back-to-basic living? (please be specific)
  * What do you think will be challenging for you?
  * When would you like to come and how long are you planning to stay?
  * Are you coming by car/van/hitch-hiking, or would you like a pickup from the bus station?
  * Do you bring your own tent, or would you like to use one of ours?

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  There is free WiFi in the village (15 minutes walk).

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  There are always very nice spots to find to park and camp.

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  Possibilité d'accueillir les animaux

  Cet hôte a dit qu’il acceptait les personnes voyageant avec un animal.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

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  Nombre d'heures attendues

  25 hours/week- free stay and food.

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