Quinta das Abelhas

I was very nervous going to Portugal because it was the first time I travelled abroad by myself but I thought it would be a great place to go due to looking at other people’s comments on the website. I stayed at Quinta das abelhas for two weeks in August. The journey there was very long as I had to wait for four hours at the train station but eventually I got there, I didn’t arrive till late at night so I couldn’t really see what Quinta das Abelhas was like but I felt very welcome by everyone as we eat on a big table outside. The first night I slept in the guest yurt which was very comfy! The next day, I settled down and started to get my bearings, Oli, one of the other volunteers gave me a tour round and later that day I did little jobs mainly in Sophie’s garden. That night I moved into a caravan where I spent the rest of the nights. Most days I did little jobs like helping out in the gardens, washing up and occasionally I helped Sid out cleaning up the horse poo! I got on well with Sid and two other boys that were staying near by, Jamie and Luke, so in the evenings we watched films and played cards. The food Andy cooked was very yummy and so were Sid’s cake! I’m really glad I went because it was a great experience and has helped me decide on having a gap year next year. Thanks again to Sophie and Andy for having me, I really enjoyed it and will hopefully be back someday!
Rosie xx

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Two British “summers” that don’t even deserve the quotation marks, growing seasons that only last a month, slugs creating Paris Hiltons in the lettuces, an increasingly Orwellian political situation, the first frosts a month earlier than normal … were we ever looking forward to this trip! Not even a downpour to end all downpours at Santa Comba Dão the minute we stepped off the train could dampen our enthusiasm. But high expectations have a way of being disappointed. Usually.

Not so here. Except for one thing. Time passes, and tomorrow we have to leave. Our week at Quinta das Abelhas has been everything we could have wished for and more and not a slug in sight.

Interruption! Emergency! … jump in the jeep … call from Sophie showing people around property … their dog had jumped down the well! OK. Great time to find out how to use the low ratio to climb the track, negotiate narrow village streets about 2″ wider than the Mitsubishi displacing elderly ladies from their stools (the 3-legged kind) on the way, wobbling around granite boulders in the middle of the track, somehow making it through forest paths without knocking down trees or denting the vehicle. A lot of laughter later, and one sublimely daft, wet and smelly bull terrier is successfully rescued by its owner abseiling down the well on the end of a rope (with not a Health & Safety officer in sight), while Andy, ever the opportunist, grabbed a boxful of fallen and rotting fruit for the horses. Then off to a restaurant in Midões for lunch.

All in a day’s work at Quinta das Abelhas. Are we going to miss this place? Aye, that’ll be forking right. (Eh Andy?) Will we be back? Sure as slugs is slugs.

Wendy Howard, Scottish Borders

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The time I had here was amazing it was so much fun. I wish we could stay for longer! The first thing I remember doing was picking grapes and treading on them to make grape juice. I had a quick ride on a horse call Isla and a longer ride on a horse called Maurice and got to help to shower them and put on their fly masks. Andy’s food was great although the average time of eating it was 9:30pm!! He comes out with the most amazing sayings and be careful to give him the right fork at dinner, He’ll tell you which one!!! Sophie was funny and always a lot of fun. She’s a very horsey person, she sometimes even laughs like one. The yurt was lovely and colourful. It made me feel right at home. Although we were paying guests it was always fun to work on the Quinta. I’ve really enjoyed my time at the Quinta and I’m sure you will too! Have fun!

Oonagh

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I wish we could stay for longer. The best bit was picking the grapes and squishing them with my bare feet. It was like having a foot spa. Another good bit was cleaning, grooming and riding the horses. Don’t doubt Andy’s cooking! He came up with a lot of good sayings too. Feeding the chickens was fun and I saw a lizard near where the chickens lay their eggs. I liked all the bugs and the crickets especially. Altogether I had a great time in Quinta das Abelhas. (I haven’t been forced to write good things on this blog. Honest … OK you can let go now Andy.)

Aonghas

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We arrived on 23rd, late evening at the Quinta, exhausted from a long journey [ Scotland, London, Porto, Santa Comba Dao ]. Its an amazing place, we felt refreshed almost instantly, beautiful views, fresh air and exactly as described on the website.
The first couple of days we felt a bit disoriented as we had to get to know the place, the work, etc……
Day 3 onwards we were comfortable and relaxed and of course thanks to Andy and Sophie who were great and gave us the space to find our footing on their farm (quinta).
We are learning as we work and it is a very different experience, and the sunshine and fantastic weather helps.
Our son Lovell has adjusted very well, even though sometimes he wants to go home to Scotland.
The Portuguese are a very friendly people and to anyone who wishes to come to Portugal our advice would be to attempt to speak in the local language as they appreciate the effort and make you feel even more welcome.
We are also here as part of our project You Can Cook. The aim is to be able to learn and experience first hand Self-Sustainable Living and hopefully transfer the knowledge to the community in Scotland through the project.

Andy has prepared dinner, so Bye for now.

Bosco, Hanisa & Lovell

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