A syntropic garden, good food and comfortable living in Tomar, Portugal

Infos

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  Description

  We are an international couple in our early sixties. We live on a small farmstead in the Ribatejo area of Portugal, 5km from Tomar. We have travelled and lived in many parts of the world but have now decided to settle here since 5 years and to become guardians of this land.
  
  Ivan used to be an entrepreneur, building companies and running in the fast lane of modern culture. He decided to exit that world some years ago and to move back from Uruguay (where he was living ) to Portugal, where he has roots. Today, he is focused more on how he can be of service to humanity and to Mother Earth .
  
  Ceres and Ivan met in Uruguay in 2016. She is from Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil. She came to work with Ivan as a volunteer in 2024 and they fell in love. She is the mother of 2 grown ups and enjoys painting, swimming, and connecting with people.
  
  Here in central Portugal, near Tomar, between Santarem and Coimbra, on the river Zezere, we (together with our companions Sasha, Louis, and Lua, a dog and two cats) are guardians of small plot of land with a 70 year old home that was restored in 2020. We have 700M2 of vegetable garden, a nursery, and about 1400 m2 of garden where we are planting fruit trees, bushes, evergreens, succulents and wild grasses. The house is very comfortable and has 3 separate living areas spread over 2 floors and 220 square meters. There is our part of the house with a living room, and kitchen; an upstairs Loft , completely independent and separate with its own kitchen, living area and bathroom; and there is an area reserved for volunteers, called the Tiny House, also independent and separate, with its own entrance, kitchenette, bedroom, living area, and bathroom. All living areas of the house are well lit, have heating, and are connected to high-speed wifi.
  
  As Ivan slowed his life down and moved to the countryside, part of his personal transformation involved going deeper inside himself; so for more than 14 years he has been a Vipassana meditator (along with many other techniques of inner development) and welcomes deeper and more connected interaction.
  
  Ceres has practised the Buddhist philosophy of Namu Myōhō Renge Kyō for over 20 years in Brazil. She loves to be connected to nature, to animals, to people, and to express herself through her artwork.
  
  We like to discuss life, politics, spirituality, the world; but always from a perspective of humility and of openness. We value honesty, kindness, compassion, and caring. More recently Ivan has been practising PM.
  
  We have decided to spend as much time as possible, as the guardian of this property, caring for the land and improving the health of the soil, the biodiversity and the presence of insects and birds. Someday, we hope to pass this guardianship on to others so that they may become the next guardians of this ecosystem. We work hard to understand how our actions and attitudes can be regenerative and contribute to building connections with our community (ies) around us.
  
  Ivan loves to cook and we like to share meals, especially lunch where we come together at least once a day to share a communal meal. We eat almost everything but we try to eat less meat and to focus on what is coming from the garden. Meals are an important part of our communal life here and we are keen to learn from others and to share what we know. We also look at ways to conserve food so as to use it the rest of the year, and we produce olive oil. Surpluses are shared with restaurants, friends, neighbours, those in need, or sold at the local farmers market. Vegan and vegetarian eaters are welcome and will be catered for. We do not provide alcoholic beverages, so you will have to provide your own.
  
  We usually work in the garden every day in the morning hours unless Ivan is involved in work related to land conservation and regeneration (he is on the boards of several institutions active in this area) and other activities which require time on the phone or the computer. We have a communal lunch prepared each day by one or more of those present to which we often invite friends or neighbours. In the afternoon each is free to do what they please. At night we often have some tasks in the garden and then we retire to read, write, or watch a movie or listen to music. Often we enjoy our privacy in the evenings but we also often do things together with our volunteers or friends. We like to get to bed before midnight and wake usually at 7 or earlier to meditate. When it is very hot, we work early in the morning and late afternoon and stay in doors during the hottest hours.
  
  Ivan is involved in land conservation, organic and syntropic farming, restoration of forest land, regeneration, and community building projects in Portugal and locally and can help people who want to connect with these areas.
  
  Our preference is to take volunteers for 8 weeks or longer as it takes 2 weeks just to get really up to speed in the garden and we invest a lot of time in training and accompanying each volunteer. We also prefer a maximum of 2 people staying at a time as more does not give us the ability to share what we know and teaching is important for us. If you are alone and are open to sharing a room please let us know when applying in case there is another person that wants to share the living quarters with you (each person has their own room; the bathroom is shared). We do not normally take volunteers under 30 years of age, but if you have good farming skills and/or motivation we will make an exception. We prefer volunteers with previous gardening/farming experience, who are serious about wanting to learn and prepared to work hard so please state on your application what experience you have and do not apply if you just want a cheap way to avoid paying rent.
  
  We work intensely here with the idea to learn, which includes making mistakes. Please do not come here if you are not serious about learning about agroecology. We work based on trust and openness with an effort made to communicate whatever discomfort we feel and to heal any messes we create. It helps to have a car here for your independence but is not essential. We both speak Portuguese fluently and believe very much in respecting and preserving local cultures, codes, and values. Ivan also speaks French, Spanish, and some German.
  
  If you have building skills like carpentry, painting, plumbing or electrical, please let us know as there are always projects we can do here. We use the Berkeley hot composting method so you can learn this. We use no dig techniques. We cut our own firewood and we have our own nursery for seedlings.
  
  If you are interested to stay for long term periods of up to a year we are very open to discussing this.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Enseignement

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  S’occuper des animaux

  Aide dans une ferme

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Langues

  

  Histoire

  

  Dessin et peinture

  

  Astronomie

  

  Plage

  

  Fitness

  

  Montagne

  

  Sports d’hiver

  

  Activités en plein air

  

  Voile / bateau

  

  Sports nautiques

  

  Yoga / bien-être

  

  Animaux

  

  Art et design

  

  Bénévolat

  

  Animaux de compagnie

  

  Ferme

  

  Écriture

  

  Soin des plantes

  

  Photographie

  

  Musique

  

  Jardinage

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Cuisine et alimentation

  

  Menuiserie

  

  Livres

  

  Architecture

  

  Nature

  

  Randonnée

  

  Danse

  

  Cyclisme
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  We live in the countryside in a small village about 7 km from a bigger town called Tomar. There is bus/bike/car for going into town (bus only on weekdays and not good times) and a small cafe/market shop 300 meters away. Together we speak Portuguese fluently but also English, Spanish, French and some German. We mostly have good relations with our neighbours in the village who often pass by and some work in the garden as well. We are connected to a network of organic farmers in our area that might also be interested to use your help or to show you their farms. We have a great lake for swimming and water sports 10km away and another smaller one for swimming 3 km away. We have a large collection of spiritual literature and on mindfulness in education and education in general, subjects that interest us. We meditate and practice yoga and would be happy to share these practices with anyone.
  
  We have fibre optic internet, access to netflix and other film channels, and to spotify and an own collection of digital music. We like to play chess and backgammon, cards, and board games. We are not very talented at singing and playing musical instruments but love to listen to people talented in these areas. Outside there is a barbecue and several outdoor areas for eating.
  
  Having your own car is ideal if you want to go into town/lake often and not have to depend on us. We have a bicycle, but it is a longish ride into town that is not suitable in winter.

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  Projets impliquant des enfants

  Ce projet peut impliquer des enfants. Pour en savoir plus, consultez nos directives et conseils ici.

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  Aide

  Looking for persons with skills/passion/interest in the garden (and also in building). Most of the time you will be working with one of us so we can give guidance. We try to follow syntropic (agro-forestry) methods and other organic (agro-ecology) farming techniques. Depending on the season we can be harvesting, planting, pruning, composting, fertilizing, collecting seeds, planting in the nursery, or conserving, There is ALWAYS something to do. We also have some basic building projects that require skills in reinforced cement and basic carpentry. Looking for 25 hours a week spent during daylight hours but no fixed schedule necessary. We focus not on time spent but on getting what needs to get done as we see ourselves as guardians of this land. If you are older do not worry, the task will adapt itself to you (we are in our 60’s).
  
  We prefer non-smokers, people that take care of their hygiene, people that can practise empathy and compassion, and those that are able to express their emotions in a non-violent manner.
  
  We normally don’t take people under 30 years of age, but if you have good farming skills and we will make an exception. Come here only if you are serious about working and learning (i.e.not to have a free holiday).

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Anglais: Courant
  Espagnol: Courant
  Français: Courant
  Portugais: Courant
  Allemand: Intermédiaire

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  I prefer certain languages (Portuguese, English, French, Spanish) and do the best I can in German.
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  Hébergement

  We have an upstairs Loft apartment with its own bathroom and kitchenette, a double bed, desk/dining table. The loft apartment is quiet and completely separate and self-sufficient (own entrance and garden). Recently restored and quite luxurious so requires some care and cleanliness (you are responsible for keeping it clean). All together about 60 m2. Outside terrace. High ceilings and wooden rafters. Antique furniture mixed with more contemporary. This is often rented either long term or through bnb so volunteers usually live in the Tiny House in a separate, also independent, part of the house.
  
  The Tiny House is 21m2. It has a bedroom with possibility for one or two single beds. It has a living room with a couch where an adult or child can sleep. It has an en-suite shower bathroom and a small, fully equipped kitchen with a work area. When hosting 2 or more volunteers that are not together each volunteer sleeps in a separate room and there is a shared bathroom. We will anyway let you know when we speak what is available and we will agree on any sleeping configurations with you before hand so there are no surprises.
  
  All windows are double or triple glazed but one can sometimes hear dogs barking in the neighborhood, the sound of the fridge in the kitchenette, or sounds in the rest of the house. Most people are not bothered (as they are minimal in volume) but if you are very sensitive to noise would be good to bring ear-plugs. Windows have black out light drapes, but some light still gets in. Mattresses (medium hard) and bedding and towels provided and very comfortable.
  
  There is a laundry area that is shared and an area to hang clothes to dry outside (as well as inside).

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  Autres infos...

  There are two lakes nearby, one that is 70 km long. One can be reached by foot. Great for summer swimming or fishing. We have a water tank we use as a pool in summer.
  
  Good biking and hiking trails nearby. Tomar is famous for its history and castle but is also a very authentic town that has not yet changed that much with tourism. We are linked to a network of organic farmers and gardeners in our area. 1 hour to the coast. 45 minutes to Coimbra, 1 hour to Lisbon. There is a train and bus station in Tomar (and also in Entroncamento and Fatima nearby) that connects you to the rest of Portugal and to Spain.
  
  We provide healthy meals (the same as those we eat) ; we do eat meat, chicken and fish but tend to prefer vegetables . If you are vegetarian or vegan we will eat according to your requirements. We do not provide alcohol for Workaways.
  
  In winter it is best to bring waterproof jacket and trouser or poncho although we also have everything here you can use. We have one pair of women's rubber boots size 40 and another 37 and plenty of gloves, hats, and tools. We have a washing machine but good to bring a few T-shirts or turtlenecks to be able to change often.

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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

  Unlimited internet with good fibre connection that is consistent and fast all day along. Have an ergonomic chair if needed. Work area very quiet. Not so strong a signal outside on the veranda but router can be extended there if necessary

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  We have 2 parking spots that have a connection for electricity and water

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  Possibilité d'accueillir les animaux

  Yes, if you take good care. We gave a dog and two cats. So the onus is on you to make us feel comfortable.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Deux

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