Co-create a preppers paradise in the Alentejo province of Portugal

Details

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  Description

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  Hi all,
  
  We are a small family that intuitively moved to the country side of Portugal in 2016 to prepare for a Zombie Appocolypse.
  
  After a few years we bumped into an incredibly charming spot that seemed to fit all needs and we jumped into the adventure.
  
  Our main focus became to live sustainably and self reliant so we started making veggie gardens and restored a small part of a bigger ruin. A tree house as crossbow lookout point was also build.
  
  The zombie threat seems to have diminished somewhat so these days the emphasis is less on making booby traps and sharpening machette´s but we are still weary and sleep with one eye open.
  
  We believe strongly in doing what we can to lower our impact but we are not cavemen either. In our world we believe that composting your toilet business and growing peaches gives us the right to burn some fossil fuels and drive to the beach 30 minutes to have icecream with our loved ones. If you like this kind of math then it might work out.
  
  We are family people and aren´t huge stoners or alcoholics. Our personal and spiritual growth seems to benefit from ocasional meetings with some FunGuys and their Madrecita but we are by no means full time sage waving chakra fluffers either. We still use the names that our momma´s gave us...
  
  Since we are still human though you might catch us having a small cold beer on a hot summer day.
  
  Our dreams are big but our budget is small so we have now started reading up on ancient vedic techniques to grow more limbs as to work faster.
  
  Over the years we have had assistance and company from some amazing and unforgettable people. From removing the brambles that had overgrown the place untill making the roof under which we sleep, we have figured it all out with the help of amazing souls of whom many have become friends.
  
  Besides having a great experience and stay at our place, some people have even received an Honourable Apocolyptic Invatition (HAI), meaning that we HODOR for them in case of need.
  
  The believe that we are all students and teachers simultaniously has allowed us to get as far as we did. We have some knowledge but are certainly no permaculture and building experts. Youtube is our savior in many cases.
  
  
  Who are we inviting here?
  People that are genuinely interested in this kind of life, and preferably stay a little longer. Minimum 2 weeks would be amazing but that said we had incredible short termers too that achieved "HAI" status.
  
  We are open minded people that take people for who they are and live and let live. We do prefer people who know what their favorite colour is and are mentally stable. Harry Potter fans are welcome too.
  
  Own transportation is handy as we are are not in the city center. The nearest cafe and tiny shop is a 20 minute walk.
  In case you need we can do pick ups as well ofcourse.
  
  We can accomodate and make trips to the beach every now and again and do our best to tend to needs but we also have a life and already have 2 kids of our own.
  
  It would be perfect for couples, friends, families or people that can entertain them selves a little.
  
  Accomodation:
  We have a camper to accomodate you but pulling up with a camper, van or pitching tents are also possible.
  
  Our offer:
  We offer your stay here on our land amidst hooting owls, woodpeckers, mighty cork oaks and shooting stars and can offer 3 meals a day in the form of shared cooking or self service.
  
  At this moment we have simple bucket style toilets and a solar heated shower but it all works. We even have a mirror.
  
  Digital nomads, Instagram Models or TikTok kids will have to figure out their own connection or go on a diet. Our place does have some reception but you won´t be streaming NetFlix. We have WiFi in the house and you can use it when you need but we are not looking for a permanent room mate.
  
  Usually we work 5 hours a day but in the summer heat we are flexible to work early and sometimes pick it back up at the end of the day.
  
  We can also work another deal out in case it seems fit and are pretty flexible.
  
  Pets: We have 2 dogs and hope to have a chicken coop at some point. Pets are welcome as long as they are a little docile.
  
  Should you want to get in touch let us know the following details:
  
  • Any Apocolyptic skills you may have
  • Experience with weaponry and tools
  • Your favorite colour
  • Your weirdest habit
  • What Harry Potter house
  • Can you lick your elbow
  
  
  The area:
  
  We are situated in a rural area called Lameiros that is a part of Sao Luis. Just 1000 meters away there is a most typical, nostalgic small cafe where you can buy some bread and eggs and enjoy a cold beer or Medronho with the locals. There also is a super nice pop-up pizza restaurant there on Sunday! And once every month we have the Amazing Azula Market right next door :)
  
  The small town of Sao Luis is only a 8 minute drive away and here you can stock up on some small town life and visit more cafe´s and small supermarkets and local markets. You can even do yoga, Thai Chi, BJJ and Zumba there!
  
  There is also the regular market in Brunheiras and the Feira de Alegria in Sao Luis.
  
  Within 30 minutes you find yourself on one of the pristine beaches of the Atlantic coast where you can do surfing, stand up paddle boarding on the river estuary, walk the "rota vicentina" or just enjoy the sunset with a regional wine and olives :)

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We offer your stay here on our land amidst hooting owls, woodpeckers, mighty cork oaks and shooting stars.
  
  You will stay in a very natural and quiet place and can learn hand on how a family is creating a healthy, sustainable life from the ground up.
  We enjoy learning as well as teaching and welcome you in our process.
  
  Besides this we love making and sharing meals together and hear stories from your side of the world.
  
  You are welcome to come and co create and share the magic in this wonderfull piece of earth.
  
  Shirley loves baking cakes from pumpkin to apple pie. Ties like all kinds of things from making home made probiotics, Kombucha, fermenting things untill making toothpaste and soap etc. He also likes doing some Wim Hof Breathing and meditation and found an interest in Human Design.

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  Projects involving children

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

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  Help

  Work In Progress:
  
  * At this moment we want to focus all our intention and energy on building and finishing the Pancake Kingdom (aka kitchen). Think pallet wood, cob, slibstraw and plastering with clay and lime plaster.
  Some plastering has to be done on the outside aswell as make drawers and shelves on the inside using simple carpentry.
  
  It would be amazing to have a functional kitchen to coock and gather in. I also find great pleasure in brewing, fermenting and preparing things and used to make some youtube video´s about this kind of thing. chanel:healthyrootsandstrongwings).
  I would love to pick up making tutorial videos again at some point once the wortkspace is in order.
  
  As it is spring time now are working hard also to mow the weeds and grass to clean the land as well as rearanging irrigation lines for fruit trees etc.
  
  * We are also making Adobe bricks to use for carrying on the restoration of the ruine. Lots of playing with mud :)
  
  * A chickencoop is still missing at our place and we love fresh eggs :)
  
  Ofcourse daily tasks, sweep & Tidy and cooking also have to be done sometimes :)
  
  Since we always have 1001 side missions here are some more things we´d like to carry on with:
  - Enlarging and finishing a deck called the "Zen Space" with pallet wood.
  (an ultimate dream is to make a cold plunge from an old chest feezer as well as a sauna and put it there also)
  - Putting some finishing touches on our cute shower structure
  - making a grey water solution for the shower and sink
  - Tending to the fruit trees by making more irrigation lines, digging up brambles and weeds and mulching
  
  Besides this we have many, many more dreams and missions but to not get overwhelmed we don´t look at the list anymore :p
  
  We also welcome people who really want to own a project and make a chicken coop, take on the garden or another long term project.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  Dutch: Fluent
  Portuguese: Beginner

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  Accommodation

  At the moment we have limited sleeping arrangements:
  
  The Campervan we have is being restored so untill that is sorted we offer a tent with comfy bed.
  
  You are welcome however to come with your own camper or van or pitch a tent as we have a few places to set up. We have good matrasses and bedding etc.
  
  Campers are welcome to use our kitchen and bathroom in case you need to. We can supply water refil aswell but you cannot empty chemical toilets here.
  
  Our project is suitable for people who enjoy being in nature and back to basic.
  
  We have filtered spring water for drinking and have solar shower and a composting loo. All very basic and rustic at this point but we are working hard to make it more sexy.
  
  Internet:
  
  Digital nomads, Instagram Models or TikTok kids will have to figure out their own connection or go on a diet.
  Reception on most of the land is crappy but good enough to still be in touch with the world but you won´t be streaming NetFlix.
  
  After years of bad internet we now have gone to the dark side and got starlink internet in our house and have WiFi in the house which you can use when you need but we are not looking for a permanent room mate :p

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  What else ...

  In your own time you can do many things here but most are outdoor activities.
  
  
  Natural treasures:
  - You can go for a swim in nearby fresh water canyon lake called "Pego das Pias" which is about 15 minutes away.
  
  - Perhaps surfing or stand up paddle boarding is more your thing , then you can go to one of the beaches or river beaches like Villa Nova de Milfontes or Malhao. These are about a 20 minute drive away.
  
  - There are walking routes from the "Rota Vicentina" that go either through inland villages with beautifull scenery or passed the coast.
  
  
  For "City Slickers":
  - In Villa Nova De Milfontes you can enjoy more restaurants and in the high season even some night clubs. Oh and .... ice cream :)
  - In Odemira you can do some sightseeing. It has a Chocolaterie a "Harry Potteresque" library, a cinema with one theatre, a nice river and ofcourse narrow old Portugese streets and houses.
  - Sao Luis is a sleepy little town but bubbling under the surface. There are local and hippie markets, Sunday Artisanal Pizza Event, a positively Crazy Ultimate Frisbee team but also yoga, capoeiera, Zumba, Tai Chi, percussion classes, BJJ etc
  
  
  If you need transport to our place then we can organize a pickup from the bus stop in Sao Luis, Cercal or Vila Nova de Milfontes.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Small vans and bigger campers can have a spot but we can only host about 2 of them or 3 max. As we are trying to close all the waste loops on our property in an appropriate way, we cannot facilitate emptying camper toilets with the blue chemical stuff in them. Happy days :)

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  Can possibly accept pets

  quiet pets are welcome. We have 2 playfull young dogs ourselves.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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