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26 Oct 2024
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Description
We are currently looking for one or two helpers to help us with several projects from the end of March 2024 onwards.
Please note before accepting a position at our place we have 8 yes 8 dogs which live in, yes live in the house with us. You must be happy living with 8 dogs. We are getting fed up of helpers asking to come and then saying they like dogs but only in pictures.
We are retired and now live on a 3ha organic farm in Alentejo, Portugal, so have lots of jobs and long term projects that we would like to achieve. For this we have decided that we do need some help to develop. We have a pig, sheep, hens, ducks, tortoises and dogs. We grow most of our own food.
We are in a very beautiful and rural area and you can develop the Portuguese language with help from the locals who do not speak English!
We are an hours drive inland from the Algarve and just 30 MILES from the stunning west coast beaches. Our village has one bar and the next village which is 4km away as a small shop. The village is very very quiet with no nightlife so please don`t come thinking you are coming to a tourist resort. This place is for people who like being in touch with nature, and enjoy being apart from big cities.
WE HAVE LIMITED WIFI and so to make sure that we can all have access and enjoy this, we have to limit availability and must stress that there are NO DOWNLOADS allowed. We have had past experience of people using our limited system to its limit leaving everyone including us with no WIFI at all!! This is beyond our control and is not acceptable and so this is what we must do preserve it for everyone and hope that people can accept this for the right reasons.
The farm is a working farm and at times is dusty or muddy depending on the weather so working boots and working cloths are essential. If you ARRIVE without proper WORK BOOTS you will be asked to LEAVE as this is a serious health and safety issue. Our working day is usually from 8 until 1700 yes long hours(often this is just feeding and cleaning the animals but we do have plenty of breaks).The days work that we expect you to do is start at 8am where you will be given the task of cleaning and feeding some of our animals this usually takes about 20-25 minutes in the morning. You then come to the house for breakfast at 8.30 am. Breakfasts are varied and usually include porridge, cereals, toast and sometimes eggs. After breakfast is finished and the pots and the kitchen are tidy by yourselves we all start work again at 9am prompt. From 9-1 various projects will take place with yourselves or by all of us as a group, with a short mid morning break. Lunch will be taken around 1pm as soon as the project is finished. Lunch is normally sandwiches or homemade soup, after the lunch pots are cleaned away the afternoon is yours to do as you please, unless we are on a big project and we will ask for your help in the afternoon but this is not common. We will then repeat the morning animal feed, clean and walk routine. This is usually done between 4-5pm depending on the season of the year, with winter being earlier than the summer. After the evening animal routine's your only task will be to sort the kitchen after the evening meal. The time of this meal varies again depending on the season. You will generally do this five days a week. By prior arrangement if you want to go off and leave the farm after lunch and not do the last animal routine this is ok with us IF you make up time by working slightly longer before lunch. You work five days per week and have two days off. We go to shows ,markets and events and you are always welcome to come with us. I am afraid that we are not the busy resort on the coast so please make sure you read and study our profile before contacting us. Our nearest big town is Ourique which is about 19 km away. If potential workawayers book to come and stay with us and then do not arrive for what ever excuse (think we have heard them all now!!) especially the one about grandad being seriously ill and you can not leave your family at this time, have had this one three times so far this year.Please note that we will give you a bad report, as this is just bad manners and totally inexcusable on your part. Once we have accepted someone we do not give back word or not turn up to meet you!! If you find this offensive then you are probably this type of person! If you do not find it offensive then you are the one for us!! (Reliable).
PLEASE NOTE That we abide by the workawayers ethos that in exchange for your help we provide good food, good accommodation and drinks including wine or beer with your meals. WE DO NOT PAY ANY SORT OF ALLOWANCE if you need to earn money whilst you are travelling then please go to a job agency.
WE MUST ALSO STRESS that we are passionate about all of our animals and their care is of the utmost importance to us. When you are asked to care for any of them we expect you to do it properly, if you are found NOT to be doing everything properly after being instructed. You will be asked to LEAVE!!Types of help and learning opportunities
GardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceHelp with Computers/ InternetUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We endeavour to introduce you to Portuguese culture and life by visiting local markets and events as they happen during your stay. We speak English and Portuguese and aim to learn you the basics of the local language. Any projects that we do will learn you new life skills to share with other helpers and hosts along your travels, we are all about learning here.
We are big on animal husbandry, you can learn about all aspects of animal care both for pets and farm animals. We do tractor work, for those who show ability and are here at the right time for this to happen.
We are constantly doing construction jobs which again we will teach you many skills.
Our aim is to make your experience with us a pleasure for both of us.
Glynn was a trainer in the Fire Service for most of his career so is used to teaching people.Help
We are looking for someone to help us with general day to day running of our farm such as feeding the animals, weeding, planting, grass cutting, pool maintenance, dog feeding and possible animal minding for the odd day off. We feel we have a lot to offer and although there is plenty of work to do the emphasis is on fun too! We have 8 dogs that live in the house and are very loving but the dogs are our children and so if you are not dog friendly we are probably not your best choice. If you love dogs ours always love you back. We have 8 dogs that live in the house with us. So you must be happy with dogs not just in picture form. Ours bark, poo,kiss and Are very friendly once they know you.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
accommodation is offered in a large 6 berth touring caravan with out door kitchen and bathroom facilities or a basic room in the upper lodge (with views to die for)
We do have limited WiFi availableWhat else ...
We would like to point out that whilst you are staying in our home we will provide three meals a day with drinks but if you go out either on our own or with us you are expected to pay for ALL food and drink that you have. We think this is fair as if you are out and about you are not working for us and it should be your responsibility to provide for yourself. Also anyone who does not stop the full time that you agree to for what ever reason apart from death may have to make their own way back to the bus station. The reason for these two notes are some every inconsiderate helpers who came with the idea of getting what they can and them saying " their mom had died and they had to leave." only to be found two weeks later on the beach.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
5 hours a day help on one project or as stated in profile (max 25 hours/week)
Feedback (59)
We had a group of helpers to help with this large harvest and everyone worked well.
After some guidance Martyna settled in and was a very good worker and team player.
She was very good with our dogs and the other animals and they all loved her.
She was very conscientious and thorough when looking… read more
Clara is an excellent team player, she saw what was needed and just got on with it. She was forward thinking which was very much appreciated as we were extremely busy with our olive harvest and a big group of helpers.
Clara… read more
I can`t summarize everything in one text...
I felt welcome right from the start! We ate together, worked together and also spent a lot free time together.
Glynn and Julie showed me different markets, restaurants and we went a few times to the sea.
I really enjoyed working with the animals and I… read more
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(5.0)
We had a group of helpers to help with this large harvest and everyone worked well.
After some guidance Martyna settled in and was a very good worker and team player.
She was very good with our dogs and the other animals and they all loved her.
She was very conscientious and thorough when looking… read more
Clara is an excellent team player, she saw what was needed and just got on with it. She was forward thinking which was very much appreciated as we were extremely busy with our olive harvest and a big group of helpers.
Clara… read more
I can`t summarize everything in one text...
I felt welcome right from the start! We ate together, worked together and also spent a lot free time together.
Glynn and Julie showed me different markets, restaurants and we went a few times to the sea.
I really enjoyed working with the animals and I… read more
This was important to us as well as for Lauren in order for all of us to have a fully relaxed experience!!
Lauren was a really good worker, great company and sensitive with our dogs!!
She is… read more
We worked as a team and did a lot of weeding and cutting of canes and willow trees to feed our sheep.
They also agreed to farm sit our animals and our 8 dogs for 3 days allowing us to get away for some relaxation. They kept us updated on… read more
Laureen was… read more
They're both so kindhearted, generous and always open for a chat and answering questions.
They have lots of stories to tell, so it never gets boring. Besides they might be the happiest married couple I have ever seen :)
I got to sleep in the cabin, which offers a stunning view and is super comfy.
The food is… read more
From the minute she arrived it was like we had always known her. The dogs just loved her to.
We had a lovely experience and hoped that Suzie did as well. There is always a variety of work to be done and Suzie just took it all in her stride. She was comfortable and confident with every task she was given,… read more
She was a good conversationalist and interesting to talk to and an excellent cook.
Venice loved all of our 8 dogs and they in return loved her.
It was a great experience for us all and we thoroughly enjoyed it.
We would… read more
I had a good time and I loved all the animals there!! They patiently helped me improve my English and it was also an interesting cultural exchange (thanks… read more
We thoroughly enjoyed meeting Martina and would highly recommend hosting her, you won't be disappointed.
She is more than welcome to come back anytime, it was a very pleasant experience having her.
Driving down towards the farm and seeing the surroundings was just idyllic if you are looking for and expecting a genuine rural… read more
David took over the reins in our absence which is no mean fete. He did an excellent job of taking care of all our animals and our precious rescue… read more
Over the years that we have been doing workaway we have had a full range of workawayers from the very bad who were asked to leave to the excellent and we regard… read more
We also pruned some trees and she helped us to clear a large garden and prepare and rake it ready for seeding and making a lawn. This was boring and… read more
Me and Harry stayed in theyre home for over a week. They welcomed us into their home with lots of intresting stories about their lives in portugal. About their lifes back in england. They've explaind, with lots of patient, about the jobs that needed to be done.
Welcoming us to their… read more
Except learning different farm skills like caring for the animals and dogs, concreting, picking olives!!, cleaning and managing the dry and somewhat ruff Portugees landscape it was for me all about truely experiencing the way of life in the… read more
All our concerns evaporated the minute we met Wannes. He is a courteous, respectful and hardworking person who immediately see's the whole picture and works through it!
Whilst he has been with us he has helped… read more
Our cabin was cosy and the dogs are lovely and lively. The scenery around the farm is amazing, so we really enjoyed our walks… read more
Every job was done to a high standard and they were… read more
This place was perfect for new workayers like us, as it was very well organized, we knew what we had to do and when we had to. The work was very interesting, and changed almost every day. We've learnt a lot from them, and it was a very intense experience! Our hosts took us to several different… read more
It was my second experience as Workaway and it was as special as the first!
The 3 weeks I spent with Julie and Glynn were simply marvelous! Living with them, the many animals and loving dogs was an experience never to forget in my life. So many and each one so different and special as are the humans, with their characteristics and… read more
You were very adaptable, you looked for the next job without being asked. You just assessed and did what needed doing. You… read more
The work is that typical of small family farms and so can range from gardenjng, taking care of the animals and various construction and remodeling tasks. It can be hard for somebody not used to it but is… read more
He is a very knowledgeable and practical person as well as being forward thinking and can see what the next task will be before you get a chance to mention it.
He is a good… read more
First of all, there is so much opportunity to learn. I worked mostly with Glynn who is a very eager teacher and taught me countless valuable skills involving fencing, roofing, mixing concrete/mortar, and laying irrigation; along… read more
First, the farm is a working farm, there are daily duties followed by helping with various tasks. If you're comfortable helping out with animals and the occasional dirty job, you'll leave with plenty of new skills.… read more
He helped us with some roofing work to secure a leaking roof,this was done to a very high standard. We did some construction work, building store rooms and animal pens. Grant showed excellent skills in all areas of our work together… read more
The work was fine, i planted a lot of trees with Julie, cut fruit tress and cane, and i really enyojed the walks with their lovely dogs.
The work has never been too hard and both took always good care of me.… read more
Our dogs loved them for the extra fusses and walks that they had whilst Josee and Parker were staying with us.
They helped us to make a new concrete pathway, as well as… read more
They were great team members but also showed initiative to work individually to. Our animals had first class… read more
He is a very caring and considerate person, a good team player and also capable of working under his own initiative. He is the best weeder we… read more
They raced into our lives and help us do an amazing amount of work in the week that they spent with us.
We just wished that they could have stayed longer.
Any host who recieves an email from Julue and Jason should take them up immediately. To hesitate… read more
A great workaway experience! Maby see you soon
They are welcome back any time.
The farm is in a beautiful location and it’s clear they care a lot about it, always putting the animals first and working very hard. I helped them with… read more
She loved and nurtured our dogs for which we arw very grateful.
She is eady to be with, a goid converstionalist,good company and a treasure.
You are missed already Posy by us and our dogs and we look forward to seeing you… read more
It was good to meet them and we wish them well with their travels.
Winnie was full of enthusiasm, she showed interest in everything that we did.
Nothing fazes the girl!!
She is a funny, witty, caring young woman, great… read more
The atmosphere was really good and they took such good care of me. Besides the work we did on the farm: taking care of the animals (dogs, turtles, sheep, ducks and many more) and picking the olives, there was time for a lot of good conversations, nice dinners, jumps in the swimming pool… read more
He was a good team member working well within our team, as we fed , watered and cleaned the stray dogs that we help to rehome from here as well as all our other animals.
Chris was also self motivated andcworked well on his own, this being with our shredding machine which is a one man job.
He worked really… read more
Izzie works well within a team where she is a willing participant.
She learnt many new… read more
During his stay with us Koen was an… read more
This was my first work away and a great introduction to working on a farm. The work was fair- on some days physically demanding and other days less so. The hours are fair, but you are expected to work the full five. Animals are first priority in the morning and then late afternoon- make sure they… read more
She quickly learnt our animal routines and got stuck in.
She learnt to report any irregularities, no matter how trivial they seemed to be.
Sophie is a good asset to have around she is honest, reliable, uses her own initiative, gives good feedback on everything around the farm and very hard… read more
He is a very kind thoughtful young man who just fitted into our routine in no time at all.
He was very thorough in his work, doing every task to a very high standard. Nothing was to much trouble to… read more
I stayed with Glynn and Julie for around 6-weeks and in… read more
It was not long and I started to feel integrated into the farm routine and general dynamic around the home. They made me feel so comfortable and welcomed. Performing the daily tasks was an absolute pleasure as they were always met with such appreciation and happiness.
They are… read more
At first we think she felt a little strange working the way that we do but very soon was able to join in and enjoy her workaway experience. She only planned to stay… read more
They are very good cooks and wash, dry and leave the kitchen really clean and tidy.
They had booked in to stay for a month but left after a week to do more travelling. What a shame. They worked longer hours by their… read more
We felt very comfortable there and just like at home. The work was never too much and we got a lot of freetime. We loved the dogs and tortoises so much of the work wasn´t even work. Also Glynn and Julie
made… read more
Very easy to get on with, very pleasant to be with.
You were asked to sort out our animals before your breakfast which you did with enthusiasm and professionalism. We were always convinced that the quality of care was maintained throughout your months stay. After breakfast you went into what ever task had been… read more
She was left in total control of our large tortoise collection and we were very confident that our beloved animals would be well cared for. This was all done before breakfast, after breakfast Manon undertook many tasks ,… read more
Collecting stone and helping to construct a retaining wall in the river. He also cut canes and stripped the leaves to feed to our sheep. He fed and cared for our two pigs, hens and geese. He watered our young bushes and fruit trees very well.
At meal times he was a… read more
Julie & Glynn,
thank you so much for making my trip to Portugal an unforgettable experience.
Where should I start- right from the beginning you integrated me entirely in your big family. Therefore I tried to give you something back and wanted to contribute as much as I could to the success of your projects. Every day… read more
He helped with some construction work and quickly gained the skill of bricklaying, mixing concrete and keeping levels. He did a first class job.
As well doing this Alex also watered our young trees and bushes and fed and watered our numerous… read more
Excellent, hardworking, enthusiastic, works on her own initiative, fun to be with.
The six weeks just flew by, Melissa was like an old friend in less than 24 hours, she just adapted to our way of life and our needs seamlessly. She is a wonderful, funny person and a really great asset to any team. She is both loyal and… read more
The work that they did for us was weeding and watering vegetables and cutting canes on the river bank to feed to the sheep.
They also paired up with other helpers to feed and water the… read more
Once she had settled in and overcome her homesickness Lulu was a good team member working well on her own and also as part of a team. She is a very good cook, preparing meals for everyone and also clearing away and washing up.… read more
In the beggining I was so shy , I did not know anything , I wanted to help but it just could'nt express my feelings. one week later , I started joining in that big family .
I have learnt so many things from them , I love even more now all the… read more
It was our first workaway experience. We were accomodated in cosy wooden cabin with very beautiful view on village.
We enjoyed working there and helping as much as we could.
The food was delicious even for "pickey" one ;) After work we were allowed to use their big… read more
All jobs are executed well and done very quickly to a high standard.
They worked well in the kitchen and cooked a really good meal, tidying up and washing excess pots as they went along.
Seb is very good with a strimmer… read more
It was my first experience as a workaway and I didn't know what to expect but I really enjoyed the time I spent with them.
The farm its really big and they have a lot of different animals to look after therefore you need to be motivated and be keen to work hard.
I think it's a great place to learn… read more
Tisa was the younger but once pointed in the right direction she was a very willing worker.
Monika was more mature and a newly qualified doctor so more used… read more
The farm was an enjoyable break from city life, and the work I was asked to do varied widely, so it never felt too repetitive. During my stay I painted (most of) a… read more
Quite often after the working day Esther would go for long walks and take our three dogs with her, they really enjoyed this and really do miss not going on… read more
You are both welcome back any time.
Thank you.
Thanks for everything, Ally
She also took the dogs out for very long walks, which they really appreciated (woof, woof).
We wish her well in her travels and life… read more
I could write a book about my stay at your farm but I think a few words will explain everyting: You are the greatest hosts one can imagine! :)
It was a feeling of family straight away, not being strangers. I loved to help you with my work and to be "mom" so it was never tiresome. :)
The dogs… read more
Everyone who met you loved you straight away, it was a fantastic six weeks. You can come… read more
Very pleasant,self motivated and hard working. Fun to work with, nothing was to much trouble for her and her culinary skills were first class she produced some delicious meals for everyone during her stay with us.
She will always be welcome to come back and stay with us any… read more
Anna also has good culinary skills and produce some excellent meals for us during her stay. We were sad to see her go but assurred her that she will always be welcome to come back and stay with us again any… read more