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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
5 Sep 2024
Reply rate
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Usually responds within 9 days
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Description
Hi we are Gary and Mālā (pronounced Mar-la)!
We have a 12 hectare permaculture regeneration project in Portugal, boarded by a beautiful river. The river is lined with deciduous trees and there is terraced land with a large Olive grove, which we tend to. Over half of the land, is in need to reforesting, with native species, to transform what is currently a very unhappy Pine plantation. This region of the Sera De Estrella once had a diversity of over 60 species of tree. We would like to help that return, by careful land management and lots of planting!
We would like to rebuild some of the ruins and create a large forest garden to grow food and medicine. Mālā is a herbalist and has started to grow a medicine garden. Gary's background is mainly gardening/building, with some electrical & plumbing skills. We love music. We have a black cat called Button and a white and black cat called Mapacho.
There is a river at the bottom of the land and waterfalls going down to it from our top spring. There are plenty of dipping spots. There are parts of the riverbank which need gentle care-taking and some cutting back, so access is possible. There are other springs around the land and we would like to restore them to their former glory. We are vegetarian (mostly vegan) and we love to make tasty, fresh food each day, eventually this will all come from our garden. We don't drink alcohol, but there is a river bar only a 10 minute cycle ride away where the beers and wine are cheap (we have bikes you can use)!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Being part of a restoration project can be very rewarding. We are working for The Earth our home and the future of this planet. We are nature awareness advocates and spend time being still listening to what nature needs. Our experience with permaculture has taught us to watch and listen to the land and make intelligent systems that flow with the land. Mālā is happy to share her knowledge about medicinal plants, she loves hearing other people's stories and knowledge on this subject. She makes tinctures, creams, balms, deodorant, toothpaste and many other products in an effort to reduce plastic in our lives, as well as to have simple natural hand made and chemical free products. We love listening and hearing other peoples experiences and what makes people happy. We have found 7 springs so far on our land and restoring them to their original beauty and helping uncover them so they may flow again is one of our missions.
Help
We are looking for all vibrant and enthusiastic people, who have energy to bring to the project. Both skilled and unskilled welcome. Builders, carpenters, cabinet makers, eco-builders and designers for building projects very welcome indeed and would be a great asset, as we intend to rebuild the ruins and incorporate eco building techniques. We are also looking for adaptable and energetic people for many different tasks, there is always lots of gardening possibilities, as well as clearing out the springs on the land, digging and uncovering the old levada channels so the waters can flow across the land as they once did, path making, wall building, cleaning the walls from plant life and cutting back of brambles! The jobs are endless and varied and we can have some flexibility on things you are good at or would like to do.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
Portuguese: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
Bell tent and Tipi until some restoration projects are complete. We have mattresses to make your stay comfy. You are welcome in your own tents or vans too.
What else ...
We live near a beautiful big river that is a short distance away, which is fed by the smaller river on our land and there are plenty of swimming spots a short cycle ride away. There is one swim spot on our land and also lots of less deep dipping spots. We have a few waterfalls here too. There is also the Serra De Estrella Natural Park with beautiful mountains and rivers, a wonderful place to walk in nature. It is called Serra De Estrella, which means Mountain of Stars in English. The mountain twinkles with quartz crystal and is very beautiful. There are numerous other picturesque villages within an hour radius, worth visiting and exploring.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have a portable wifi box with very good signal, so when it is on you have unlimited internet access.
Space for parking camper vans
We have put in a track at the top of our land where a large van can be parked. There is a spot further down that smaller vans can access.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (7)
Both of them have a fascinating amount of knowledge, passion and work ethic which will give you plenty of food for thought on things like… read more
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Both of them have a fascinating amount of knowledge, passion and work ethic which will give you plenty of food for thought on things like… read more
I had my own space in a beautiful bell tent near the river. In contact with nature, living a simple life with lovely and generous people!
They helped me with my english, I helped them with the garden, I met their community, we shared profound… read more
Joel also wrote a song for our cat! It was actually very moving and I wouldn't be surprised if one day it becomes a… read more
An incredibly warm and welcoming couple, they made us feel like part of the projects and the community from day 1.
We were delegated various tasks from clearing the land, maintaining the paths and creating hoogle beds, but were… read more
