WWOOF & Volunteer Comments
Quinta das Abelhas Central Portugal
writing e ails without an 'm'
i've been here for one week now, a bit shorter then i'd actually planned, but i'm going to learn aking cheese now. but i've had a nice week here, getting up at 7 in the morning all the days, what is a bit earlier than the others here are used to, but i quite fancied it. started with a compost -toilet -mosaiking-session with anna and michelle wich anna and michelle definitely won, because i just los t myself in a small corner in even smaller details, but as i' quite small myself, just sees to be my nature. the other half of the week was gardening, my job and my passion and andy even made me the instructor of the others, a new experience for me! and in between i enjoyed very good meals, olli or andy cooked (and tonight my own one as well) and tried to get used to write e *ails to *y *a*a without using an * because this letter doesn't work on the keyboard and to* showed *e only tonight how to sort *e out of this, so to all succeeding woofers: the secret is "ctrl"+"v"!!!!!!!!
thanks to everybody here for this week!
Esther (Germany) November 2007.
Abelhas Experience
One of the first things I was asked here on the Quinta was - whether my preconcieved notion of the smallhold had matched the reality of the place - what a question!! To be honest I dreamt about a place that would allow me to escape my own reality for just a little while - the never ending demands of the city and my busy life back in Alberta Canada. What I have come to understand is that reality is something that we create for ourselves, we allow ourselves to become so engrosed in our routines of day to day living that we fail to realize that there is an alternative. Well there is - and this place is it. Over the past 3 weeks I have met people that have just recently made the decision to make Portugal their new reality - and I admire that! Ive watched Neil make his fresh start-moving onto his new land and adopting a new member into his family - Pirate the donkey. Thom has turned his visit into a more or less permanent stay and mike has decided that Portugal is the place that he wants to lay his hat. All these fresh starts have been really inspiring - shown me that I can change my reality - if I have the balls to take the initiative. On a lighter note - I have had an amazing time here - Sophie and Andy have created a place that embodies a great vibe and after 4 years they still have it in them to open their home to anyone who is interested in dropping by - that is true generosity. Besides fantastic food and and 15 cent a bottle Finkbrau - the company and conversations here have been both sincere and funny as hell - truly, that is all you can ask from any group of people!!
Thanks for letting me stay with you guys - enjoy the tank - send me some photos when it is done!!
Jacqueline Cannam (Canada) August 2007.
Dear WWOOFers
Brandon Dill here, American WWOOFer extraordinaire! I've been on the quinta for nearly a month and I've only got about 20 minutes left to go, so I'll get right to the point. You've struck gold you lucky bastard. If you manage to pass through Quinta das Abelhas without having an enriching and enjoyable experience, it's your own fault. Never have I known such hospitality. You aren't likely to find cooking this good, or apocalyptic advice given out so freely anywhere in the rest of the WWOOFiverse. So thank your lucky stars and smarten up. Look around and realise that paradise is not only real, but achievable, and if you're reading this (in the guest book at Quinta das Abelhas) you're sitting in the middle of the evidence. If you're smart you'll never leave. I'm sure you've made some other silly plans somewhere else just like I have. Brace yourself for disappointment friends. These kooky British anarchists are the top shelf, the end of the line. It breaks my heart that I'm turning my back on this place in a minute, but if freewill exists and fortune is in my favour, I'll be back, baby. Maybe you'll take my advice and stay. If so, I'll see you when I get back.
Brandon (USA) April 2007.
"Anyone who doesn't like it here needs to go have a word with themselves in the corner."
Well, what a trippy month that has been. Mind you it was absolutely brilliant. Everyone was so welcoming, all great people. I think today (12th Feb) is the hottest so far. I'm surprised all the rain last night didn't put the sun out. Have really enjoyed my horse shit removal, bramble cutting, planting trees, digging over a new garden and cleaning the horses tackle, by tackle i mean the saddles and reins not the tackle. Food has been great thanks to the chef (he'll say "I know"). These guys work at 100mph so hardly surprising that they're knackered every night. Just a quick warning Andy DOESN'T do chirpy mornings, give him an hour and he joins the rest of the living. Can't say enough about how hospitable they are. Really welcomed me into the fold. Well that's me done hope to come back soon with one of my sons to stay, and look forward to that good old homely sarcasm (yeah right, says Andy). Thanks for everything, you do yourselves proud. Well, flying back to England tomorrow, no doubt on a heart shaped plane being valentine's day an all! My stay here has been : YURTASTIC! Anyone that doesn't enjoy it here needs to go and find a corner and have a word with themselves. Or go to haveaword.com where you will have statements such as: What's wrong with you you muppet? What are you? Some kind of numpty? What's not to like? Lovely scenery, gorgeous views, fresh air, horses neighing, geese honking, ducks quacking, need I go on? In other words this is the real Portugal, the rustic Portugal, or if you will the Pure Portugal.
Jerry (England) January/February 2007
Brummie Bob
Great experience. Only been here a week but will really miss waking up with that fantastic view and the sounds of the animals. Brill hosts, superb food, and who else can say they've slept in a yurt and had a visit from 'Jesus'.*
* Jesus is the name of one of the cats.
Bob (UK) August 2006
Not Good at Goodbyes
Thanks for a great time. I really enjoyed your company, keep up the good work.
Bill (UK) August 2006
zoey & stew
This little one week wwoof session was one of the most relaxed and enjoyable of our trip - this is such a beautiful farm (even in the rain!). Thank you for entrusting us to the side of your beautiful house - perhaps some day we can make it even bigger. Thanks for the memories and the late night 'just one more' talks.
Zoey & Stew (USA) August 2006
Magnificent Mosaic Maker
When you go down to have a pee look at the shower and think of me! It's been a great 2 weeks. Thanks for the fun & creative freedom with the mosaic. I had a ball!
Monika (South Africa) July 2006
Mini Paradise
Sunshine and blue sky, so many flowers everywhere, Little ruined houses hidden amongst the eucalyptus trees. The thud of horses hooves clattering gently on the ground. The Nightingales, the owls, the cuckoo all day long. Lavender and gorse, broom, poppies, iris, camomile, chicadas and frogs, crickets till you drop. Butterflies, dragonflies, lizards & croaking plump frogs, Purple and yellow, dots amongst the green. Cats skipping & playing, cheeky, some sly, dogs lying lazily in midday shade. Mums with their bunnies, hop, hop, hop, hop, Fluffy little balls of black & brown adorableness, just old enough to wonder with intrigue at what's all around. The earth rolls around into rays of morning sun, the day begins to break, mist hung in fresh dewy air.
Claire (UK) June 2006
Welsh wwoofers
Thanks for letting us stay, it was a great experience.
Eve & Alex (Wales) June 2006.
Amazing Environment
well, i was there this year for a short term and must say that the place is amazing, here i mean environment . it is located in the best part of the portugal. while working i often forgot myself staring the landscapes. there is a river nearby and you can see the cerra de estrela from there. nice place if you like taking walks and the family is ok too. the kids are supper easygoing. and the village with four pubs is just a few hundred metres away, if you like it or you can join with the patrao the family for a evening wine. choice is yours!!!
Janek Vahk (Hungary) May 2006
WWOOFing in Portugal Paradise
I'm staying with a really lovely couple Andy and Sophie and their 2 boys - 12yrs and 15yrs - both mad on skate-boarding. They have a small holding in the hills not far from Coimbra. The olives and grapes are on terraces below the buildings and a man leads a herd of sheep and goats with bells on through to graze - they follow his call. The place I sleep is a canvas and pole yurt - kind of chest height igloo from Mongolia with a litle wood burner in it. However have not had much success with fires. There are 3 cats that sneak in and sleep on my bed and 2 dogs.
There's not much in the way of plumbing - one tap attached to the outside wall, 5 acres to pee in, a bath on one of the terraces that is warmed by a fire underneath and a plastic toilet seat on a wooden crate over a hole for serious business. All with a view over olives, pine forest, distant houses and the Portuguese Mountains.!! Very panoramic once you get over stage fright. The food here is fantastic, plenty to eat and delicious thanks to Andy!
I tried to get the bath fire going the other day and had to first clear the firepit as it was full of water - eventually I got some wet wood burning and noticed the plug was leaking underneath so pushed it in a bit harder and it went right through and the bath water put the fire out again. I persevered and got a fire going after 3 attempts but the sun was setting and getting cooler so decideded to jump in the bath while the fire was still heating it and nearly asphyxiated on smoke!!. Think I was a bit cleaner after a quick plunge in tepid water.
The wwoofing work is really fun and big variety of things to do. I've been doing mosaic tiling and limestone painting a room here and now on to the olive harvesting. It,s gone from freezing cold in the pouring rain, mist that hangs low over the valley and snow on those beautiful mountain ranges!! And along with these days there's been beautiful clear sky and sunshine like today when its so good to be alive! I've just come up from trying out my limited Portuguese on the Shepherd grazing his herds of sheep and goats while I pick olives. That warm Portuguese sun and the tinkle of bells made up for any lack of words. This has been an experience I wont ever forget from adjusting to the lack of amenities but mostly because of the warmth and generosity of Andy and Sophie with their totally relaxed attitude and encouragement to try new skills and welcome for strangers.
Mary (New Zealand) November 2005
Brendan's Blog
I am just getting ready to move on after 4 weeks spent at Quinta das Abelhas. In this time I've become really attached to the place and all the people I've got used to seeing everyday. Coming to work at Quinta das Abelhas is the chance to meet people, get to know a wonderful family, learn more about organic lifestyle and enjoy what is truly a beautiful place. I've found my time to be really fulfilling, learning new skills and being part of a growing settlement which has taught me a lot about ethical living. I would like to say a big thankyou to Andy & Sophie for taking me in and showing great kindness. Same goes to all the kids and people who have made this such a fun place to be. Needless to say I look forward to my return visit. So good luck to everyone who comes and visits this fantastic location and hope as many people as possible get to know the experience I have had. All the best in the future.
Brendan (UK) September 2005
From a wwoofer to a blogger …
… in the time it takes to erect 3 sturdy retaining walls. You catch me at an opertune moment, my last night at the Quinta das Abelhas residence. Celebrating the end of 4 joyus weeks spent with the company of Andy, Sophie, Alice, Connie, Max, Sid, Joney, Emily, Lauren, other wwoofers such as Rod, also John to name but a few. Couldn't be in a more gorgeous setting, beautiful views especially from the toilet, and water tank which provided a well needed cool refuge from the afternoon heat. Great meals every day made from the freshest ingredients no complaints everybody pitches in. A great way to spend some time having a laugh and helping out some sound people. Will come back soon. Thanks for your generous hospitality.
George (UK) August 2005
June/July at the Quinta
Nearly tme to return to UK after 5 glorious weeks at Quinta Da Abelhas. So different from my first time at Easter when I only stayed 2 weeks and time was gone beore had tme to get used to place. This holiday has been very much more ideal, plenty of time to settle in and make new friends and join up again with ones from Aprils visit. Its been great to be part of a major project and the retaining wall has cetainly been very major. I had only been here a day when two young lads from Somerset arrived after two months on the road through France and Spain. We got on great and made a good team supporting Stuart the builder, often working out in over 40+ degrees we very much got into the job and looked forward to our daly visit to the cold tank. In fact the tank has been a saviour these past 5 weeks, after getting hot and sweaty grafting all day the submersing of body into deep cold water is an experience to behold. Such was the enthusiasm one day we turned the tank into a water drum and the three of us created some very interesting rhythms and sounds, at same time as getting soaked and splashed with lovely cold water, the boy child in all of us came out to play that day with total freedom of expression.
George and Brendon the two lads are keen musicians, with guitar and djembe which was fantastic, as I teach and play djembe in uk. We went over to the next door neighbour one night and jammed with them for several hours. I had met Dave and Suma at Easter for the first time in about 20 years since their Prana days. A couple of nights we also went out with them as Dave was playing in a local rock band. They did not start until after10 o'clock at night and we would not hit the sack until after 4 am. This is the way it is over in Portugal with the cool of the night. George and myself also booked in on a weeks course with local teacher Conny who is an excellent Djembe drum teacher from Germany who has lived in the village for over 12 years. At the end of the course my brain was very much boiling and on the saturday the workshop group were invited by Conny to play at her bands performance. We were very much the warm up act and were joined by several other local players which was very exciting. The vibe was brilliant and when the semi-professional group came on with Conny the place was really rocking with fast drumming and excellent timing. We had passes for free food and drinks all evening so you can imagine we were pretty happy and merry by the time we climbed into sleepng bags in the wee hours.
My land purchase has not gone through as hoped, Portugal in August is very much holiday time and to get anything done at all can be hard work. I am looking forward to building up my little paradise and semi retiring and then retiring here. I am very fortunate to have made such good friends with Sophie and Andy, Dave and Suma, Conny, Neil, Stuart and getting to know many others helps to make the future more easier to settle down here. The only down side there could possibily be is the fires, where people have looked after land and kept it clean the fire has even come right up to he house and then gone around. Where land has been left to get overgrown then when the fire takes hold it is very fast very destructive and nature at its most powerful and cleansing. I do not feel put off by the prospect of fires as I know its up to me to take reasonable safe guards, like clearing trees away from near buildings etc. Green grass is an ideal fire break so a nice kept lawn around dwellings is probably a sensible idea.
Andy has kept up his excellent creations in the kitchen, with sometimes a dozen of us tucking into great organic home grown vegtables prepared in many different ways. The other night we had fresh stuffed Pumkin which was just full of succulent juices and tastes. I will miss his cooking when I get back as I am not the most adventorous cook, but I am sure after a few more visits I will be preparing my own meals on my own land.
My last day here is tommorow and Stuart and myself are determined to construct the fresh water tank before I go back to uk. The digging out of the ground in preperation for the concrete base was one of the projects I undertook at Easter. It means the family can look forward to soon having running water and that means! a washing machine and the end of eighteens months of scrubbing and hand washing all their clothes and bed linen etc. So hopefully I will be drinking in the cafe after celebrating the next stage of that major project, with just the pumber needed to complete the whole project. Its been great to retrurn here again, and help the place move on by bringing some energy and enthusiasm. I have benefitted a huge lot, I have had my shirt off for nearly every day for 5 weeks so am a bit tanned. I am fitter and probably lost a bif of weight. I am more knowledgeable of building work which will help me in the future. I have eaten organic food for 5 weeks so am sure am more healthy, as well as breathing in very clean air. I feel refreshed and ready for work on Monday, although have worked very hard most of my stay, the change from my usual work has been as good as a rest. All packed and ready for the journey home, feels hard to leave this time. I have had such a great time and weather today here is sun as usual. Still wont be long before am back here again. Not looking forward to arriving in Stanstead tonight and getting off into the cold night air! shudders to think of it. I leave contented though as my time has being well spent helping to develop this beautiful place so others who follow may benefit and enjoy.
Rod (UK) July 2005
Easter Break
I decided back in January I needed to get away, and I mean get away, from life as I knew it. Away from my family, my house, my town, my work, my country, my language, my everything I knew. I went on the web site and looked around for some place I could go and be with the land and hopefully the sun. I came across several web sites offering help exchange and work on organic farms, this appealed right away. I liked the idea of Spain or Portugal and so wrote several emails offering help in exchange for food and stay, Sophie wrote back within two hours and said yes they could offer me two weeks at Easter. I was on my way to Portugal and a very new experience.
The Journey from home to Quinta das Abelhas was very sraightforward really with waiting times in between each stage so no stress apart from communication and wondering if was on the right train! As agreed Andy and Sophie were there waiting for me at Santa Comba dao railway station which was a relief. We arrived at Quinta das Abelhas about four o'clock, it had taken me about 18 hours from doorstep to doorstep. All the journeys added up would probably come to only half of that time the rest waiting time. If you are concerned bring a book or ipod, or if like me use the time to look and watch life in another culture.
I had come well prepared for changing weather, and was well equiped for camping. After putting up my tent and getting all ready for bed I wondered up to the terrace and enjoyed a cup of tea and sat outside overawed by the views. I have been here for over two weeks now and still several times a day I will make tea and sit down to take in the views to the distant mountains, the colours are just amazing. If you paint or draw bring your kit as you will not be dissapointed. So thats how I came to be here at Quinta das Abelhas with Andy and Sophie, I had come for Easter break to get away from it all and here was the perfect place to get away from it all. First of all there is the compost toilet, a "loo with a view'to be reckoned with. Not many of these in the west midlands I thought as I sat on this throne the next morning. Not even the rain could make my first days miserable, as the showers did not last long and inbetween the sun shone and was very much warmer than when I left England. This was after all one big reason for coming here, to get some sun. On a hot day the outdoor shower or bath are fantastic, need a hot bath? then light a fire under the bath and hey presto one hot bath with the sky to look at as you lie back and relax.
During the first week it rained on and off several times a day, one minute I was in waterproofs and the next with shirt off! yes the daft english had arrived. Even Andy and Sophie were well made up for the "cold' the locals never appeared to take coats off. Me I was just glad to take my shirt off and feel the sun, it was a lot warmer than England so for me it felt ok, anyway I was learning to be a "trencher' with a new style of spade and a enthusiasm for getting stck in and putting UK well behind me. A few hours of graft certainly helps to leave all behind and soon the journey, home, work and England were well in the past. Most days I have been diging trenches to help with the laying down of pipes and cables for the water system. The current one is to take several 5 litre bottles to a neighbour of Andy and Sophies to fill up for the drinking water. These neighbours are Dave and Suma who have lived here for several years now, and who I got on well with especially when I found out they enjoyed drumming and didge playing as well as chanting Prana chants, Prana were a group from nearly 20 years ago that they were part off! I bought the tapes in those early days and most family outings were spent driving to the tapes while all of us sang along. Dave is working here also installing the electrics in the new house for Andy and Sophie.
Currently I am sitting in the old house sat at the computer this house is really one room which acts as bedroom/office/sitting room/TV room. This is how hospitable this couple are, the development of the land is top priority and one day the rewards will be reaped when they have a seperate bedroom seperate office and the sitting room where the Wwoofers can be part of this family, even for just a short period of time, especially late in the evening when its time to sit and eat. Now to this eating! I will very much recommend Andy's cooking to all who venture here. This is organic wholesome food at its best, the daily salad is picked less than half an hour before its eaten. Andy cooks dinner every night for whoever is at home, there is always Andy and Sophie of course, but then there could be Max or Sid the boys, also their friends are often in need of feeding and then there is us of course the Wwoofers, hungary from the days work and thirsty for a glass or two of local red wine! At less than 5 euro's(£3.50) for 5 litres even a budget holiday can accomodate the odd glass full.
When I arrived I met Raegan and Bree two young Canadian Socialists who enjoyed a whole month here and now have left to continue their european journey. We got on great and it was with them I ventured into the village and had a lovely meal of omlete and chips with some red wine at a local hostillery, we had two bottles of wine, three meals, three large cakes, three spirits to see us on our way. The bill came to 24.50 euro's, I gave 25 euros and waved the lady back when she offered me the change. At first I thought I must have offended her as she raised her voice and spoke to the barman in an excited voice, next thing out comes the bottles of spirits and we all have another round on the house! and all this after everyone else had left.
A guy called Lester was staying at Quinta das Abelhas in the yurt as a paying guest while he looked around for some land to buy. Andy and Sophie are great help in this respect as have a lot of experience and information available, it was not long before I also got interested especially when I was told of a small parcel of land available in the village but that had no building permission. Just great for me as I have several yurts I want to live in and use alternative power. So now it looks like I am going to be joining this growing community drawn from all over Europe mixing with the local Portuguese people. Lester will also be a close neighbour as will be Conny a woman from Germany who teaches djembe and West African rhythms. I have played with them a couple of times now and can say that Conny is a very accomplished drummer, her style of teaching is good and her playing is awsome so if you are into drumming African style then spend some time with her. She also has a very beautiful place down by the river and hires out canoes, and not to forget horses if you are into learning to ride. All of this only 20/30 mins walk from Quinta das Abelhas.
Back here at Quinta das Abelhas its the day before I leave, I am winding down now writing this blog as a thankyou for a great Easter break. Tommorrow begins the return journey and after watching Newcastle the other night in the local cafe beat Sporting Lisbon, with most fans wearing gloves and hats I cant say I am looking forward to it. This last week has seen the sun shine in abundance and I have tanned very quickly so the change wont be enjoyable. I have finnished digging out the platform for the water tank, the trenches are dug for the pipes. So if you are the next Wwoofer coming here then the tank needs building the pipes laying and then there will be running water for humans animals and plants! In saying fairwell, I knew I will be coming back so it is just for now. I recommend this place for a good break, you can design your own break with work rest or travel depending on what you need. I have enjoyed several days when I did not want to stop working as had got so engrossed in the job and was working with nature. Night time comes though and so does the need to eat. Other days I have worked less, but have gone to market with Andy and Sophie or walked around the local area. If you are coming here and have some space for old tools, nails or screws etc that need recycling then bring them as they will be used or passed on to others who need them. Andy like his music and has a growing collection in the kitchen of tapes from just about every genre so dont throw old ones away give them a new home. Books are also a great gift as Wwoofers and family alike would make use of them. Its good to give and you will recieve a lot by coming here, its good to know people like Sophie and Andy are out there keeping old values and ways of life going. They offer you a chance to join them even for a short time, in exchange for a few hours of working on the land. If like me a first time Wwoofer take the opportunity like I have and reap the rewards and benefits, if you are a experienced Wwoofer then you know all this anyway so continue to enjoy.
Rod (UK) April 2005
From Slave #2: Michael
Today was yet another pleasantly and surprisingly warm day. Knowing there are multiple feet of snow on the ground where we came from, the balmy afternoons are cherished. The nights, as well, seem to be warming up. We planted several fruit trees today, only after clearing a large bed of weedy grass, affectionately know as "bastard grass'. Some time was also spent weaving young mimosa stalks around a frame, slowly building a shield around the outdoor bathtub. We are very excited about the final product of this project. The other projects on the farm are slowly coming together. Trellis mending will never cease, so it feels, but hopefully by the time we leave we can proudly say they will be ready for the growing season. The chicken shed is nothing but a hole in the ground but tomorrow, apparently, we will begin laying a foundation. We - and Sophie agrees - think we might miss the company of the chickens and geese that constantly peck and waddle about the 'yard' near the house. As you can see, life crawls on here at Quinta Das Ablehas.
Michael (USA) January 2005
life at quinta das abelhas
we've been here for a week and a half and i feel as if it's been months! aaahhhh! cheesy intro lines! i'll just outline the (so far) most memorable aspects of life on the farm: my companions and i on our first few nights, attemping to light the woodstove in the yurt for heat- we managed to do nothing but waste wood and literally smoke ourselves out. we stood outside, admiring the stars, dizzy from smoke inhalation and laughing at our city-kid inadequacies. taking sunset-lit baths in the outdoor tub - first a fire must be built, and then tended periodically until the water heats up. you have to wait until the fire goes out, because the smoke can be brutal. i was impatient once, and sat in the hot bath, engulfed by smoke, and washing my hair in a futile attempt to enjoy myself. my first bath, though, which i took on a saturday, and therefore had hours to let the fire burn, was absolutely fantastic. the moment we finished the grape-vine trellises on the eastern side of the quinta - it feels wonderful to complete something of that nature, espeically when you've started from the ground up. of course, we basked only for a moment: there are millions more trellises to be built and/or fixed on the other side. hmm.. accomodations are simple yet splendid (andy's cooking really is great), the animals are wonderful company (speaking of which, sophie and andy are also wonderful company), the work is satisfying but manageable!
Laura (USA) January 2005
Well done!
The well has finally taken shape and it looks as if it might actually be finished in the next few days. Portugese brick layers are fast once they get started. The Olive harvest is nearing completion. We have cut the trees back hard on one side of the Quinta to clear old congested growth and to encourage plenty of fresh, strong shoots which should produce a crop of good Olives in two seasons time. The others we have left so that we still have a harvest next year. We toook a trip to the market in Carregal do sal this morning to keep ourselves going for a few days. The market is situated in the middle of a forest and sells everything from turnips to all sorts of clothes and is full of colourful Portugese characters going about their daily lives. The building materials for the house have arrived so hopefully the work will be started at the beginning of next week. The weather has been great for the last few weeks and if it holds good the house should be up before Christmas.
James (UK) November 2004