Zelfvoorzienend gezin met fruit en olijfolie verkoop
Castelo Branco
Hello, I'm Simon. My wife Margriet, our three children Joaquin, Saulo and Lorann and I live a simple, self-sufficient (as far as possible) life in the beautiful Gardunha mountains. On the edge of the traditional village of Souto da Casa in Fundão, surrounded by nature reserve and olive groves.
After many years of learning, we are now continuing to build a life full of craft, creativity, revaluing and expanding the earth, and raising children with these values in a world full of challenges.
A key word for us is diversity, in actions, plantings, environment, subject, etc. Our land is inhabited by chickens, dogs, cats and a wealth of wildlife. For myself, the essence of this project is meeting through action. Encounters with each other, with the country, with ourselves. Depending on the time of year, the vegetable garden is sown, planted, harvested, processed (pickling, drying, fermented, pressed, etc.), compost heaps are made, mulched, the hundreds of fruit trees are fertilized, pruned, harvested, etc. In summer, watering is an almost daily activity. Care and feed the animals. Harvesting and threshing the grains. We are also renovating so help is also welcome here. In short, there is always a lot to do. Since I will be working a lot on the house this year, any help in the garden is welcome.
We usually do this in the morning or evening. The precise planning will be discussed together so that there is a balance between what needs to be done and what everyone personally needs.
We have a spacious yurt available with a wood stove and bed+sofabed where you can also cook. The wealth of our country is at your disposal, fruit, vegetables, oil, our processed products, wines, ciders, juices,.... Those who work on this land live from it. On hot days we rest around noon. A few minutes' walk from us there is a hidden waterfall where we swim almost every day. A Gardunha is a beautiful mountain range for walking with many rivers and places to swim. We have three young children (4, 6 and 8), so our live and workrhythm is strongly determined by that. Nevertheless, we can really enjoy making music on a mild evening. Or bake some cake or preserve cherries... There is always something to do.
- Woofing as a family: please know that our children go to school in the village. So they are only at the farm in the late afternoon. Play and adventure time is possible in the weekend and school holidays.
- Please only apply for a period of at least 2 weeks: we attach great importance to "land-time". When woofers arrive, first to take time to get to know the land, the yurt and us and then start working together. A week doesn't offer that opportunity...
- When you'd come, please take a headlight and ecological soap/shampoo
Be welcome
Update summer '24: Due to several double applications, we apply the guideline that the wwoofer who is already here or whose request has been confirmed gets priority to occupy the yurt. We then ask if the facilities of the yurt (kitchen and compost toilet outside) can be shared. If so, you can still apply to stay in a tent that you bring with you. For families though we do think it would be best to have the yurt as your sleeping place as well. This can all be considered to each one's needs.
Hallo, ik ben Simon. Mijn vrouw Margriet, onze drie kinderen Joaquin, Saulo en Lorann en ik leven een eenvoudig zo-zelfvoorzienend-mogelijk leven in het prachtige Gardunha gebergte. Aan de rand van het traditionele dorpje Souto da Casa in Fundão, omgeven door natuurgebied en olijfgaarden. Na vele jaren leren, bouwen we nu verder aan een leven vol van ambacht, creativiteit, aarde te herwaarderen en te verreiken, en kinderen groot te brengen met deze waarden in een wereld vol uitdagingen. Een sleutelwoord voor ons is diversiteit, in handelingen, aanplant, omgeving, onderwerp,.. Ons land wordt bewoond door kippen, honden, katten en een rijkdom aan wilde dieren. Voor mezelf is de essentie van dit project, ontmoeten door te handelen. Ontmoetingen met elkaar, met het land, met onszelf.
Afhankelijk van de tijd van het jaar wordt er in de groententuin gezaaid, geplant, geoogst verwerkt (inmaken, drogen, gefermenteerd, geperst,...) Compost hopen gemaakt, mulchen, de honderden fruitbomen worden bemest, gesnoeid, geoogst... In de zomer is water geven een bijna dagelijkse activiteit. De dieren verzorgen en voeden. De granen oogsten en dorsen. Wij zijn ook aan het verbouwen dus hier is hulp ook welkom. Kortom er is steeds heel wat te doen. Aangezien ik dit jaar veel aan het huis zal werken is alle hulp in de tuin welkom. Meestal doen we dit in de ochtend of avond. Wat de precieze planning is, wordt gezamenlijk besproken zodat er een evenwicht ontstaat tussen wat er moet gebeuren en waar iedereen persoonlijk behoefte aan heeft.
Wij hebben een ruime yurt ter beschikking met een houtkachel en bed+slaapzetel en waar ook gekookt kan worden.
De rijkdom van ons land staat tot jullie beschikking, fruit, groenten, olie, onze verwerkte producten, wijnen, ciders, sappen,.... Wie op dit land werkt, leeft ervan.
Op hete dagen rusten wij rond de middag. Enkele minuten wandelen van bij ons is er een verstopte waterval waar we nagenoeg dagelijks gaan zwemmen. A Gardunha is een prachtig gebergte om te gaan wandelen met vele riviertjes en plekjes om te zwemmen. Wij hebben drie jonge kinderen (4, 6 en 8) dus ons leef- en werkritme wordt daar sterk door bepaald. Niettemin kunnen we erg genieten van muziek maken op een zachte avond. Of nog wat taart bakken of kersen konfijten... Er is altijd wel wat te doen.
- Woofers die met kinderen komen willen we graag meedelen dat wij schoolgaande kinderen hebben. Door de week zijn zij dus pas thuis in de late namiddag; dat betekent dat er in het weekend en schoolvakanties wel meer gelegenheden zijn voor de kinderen om te spelen of op avontuur te gaan.
- Aanvragen aub enkel voor een periode van minstens 2 weken: wij hechten veel belang aan "land-tijd". Wanneer woofers aankomen, eerst tijd te nemen om het land, de yurt en ons te leren kennen om nadien samen aan de slag te gaan. Een week biedt die gelegenheid niet...
- Als je komt, neem zeker een koplampke mee alsook ecologisch afbreekbare zeep/shampoo
Wees welkom
Update vanaf zomer '24: Omwille van verscheidene dubbele aanvragen, hanteren we de richtlijn dat de woofer die hier reeds is of wiens aanvraag bevestigd werd, voorrang krijgt op het bewonen van de yurt. We vragen dan of de faciliteiten van de yurt (keuken en composttoilet buiten) gedeeld kunnen worden. Indien zo, kan je nog steeds een aanvraag doen met verblijf in een tent die je meebrengt. Voor families lijkt het ons echter comfortabeler om de yurt te kunnen benutten ook als slaapgelegenheid. Dit kan allemaal besproken worden op basis van elkeen zijn noden.
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Learning opportunities
Vegetable farming
Fruit or nut farming
Grain farming
Pig farming
Viticulture
Flower farming
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Vegetable or fruit preservation
Beer, cider, wine, or juice making
Traditional crafts
Methods or systems
Holistic management
Host type
Self-sufficiency property
Former WWOOFer
1
Hectares
|
2.5
Acres
Margriet
Member since 2023
Languages spoken:
Dutch, English, French, Portuguese
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 100%
Response time: typically within 4 days
Castelo Branco
Trein en bus in Fundão, vliegveld Lisboa of Porto
Reviews
Daniela
Netherlands
•
January 2026
Mijn gehele 10-daagse wwoof-periode heb ik ervaren als een continue stroom van input en output, water en vuur, inspiratie en cadeautjes, stekels en prikhapjes :-) Wat een warm welkom door Simon, Margriet en de kinderen. En de dieren niet te vergeten. Ik heb mij werkelijk onderdeel gevoeld van een familie met een prachtige missie. Deze plek bood mij precies de reflectie waar ik naar zocht in mijn persoonlijke zoektocht naar zingeving. Door een ietwat versnipperde week (vakantie, kerstdagen, werk elders en huis in renovatie) waren de klussen wat 'los', maar alsnog heb ik de laatste dagen een mooi project op me genomen en van a-z uitgevoerd. Ik ben heel benieuwd naar de verdere renovatie van het woonhuis en kijk er naar uit terug te komen in een volgend seizoen. Veel liefs!
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Rapahaël
France
•
November 2025
Ma venue au Portugal ces extrêmement bien passer j’ai reçue un accueille très s chaleureux et des plus beau Je remercie cette famille pour tout ce qu’ils mon apporté il représente à la lettre ces quelque valeur. Que je vais citer ( aceuillant.bienveillant.genereux . Soucieux du bien être des personne qu’ils les entoures .une très grande gentillesse qu’ils porte en eux ) Je pourrait décrire leurs foyer Comme un endroit de paix. Et d’apaisement. Entourer de toute cettes belle verdure qui nous donne un paysage magnifique et nous éloigne. De toute cilivisation moderne parfait. Pour se reconnecter avec la simplicité de ce que le monde peut nous apporté Malheureusement j’ai dut écourté mon séjour pour une raison familiale comme l’a dit margriet Je les remercie pour tout aurevoir et au plaisir de vous revoir un jour
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Stéphanie
Belgium
•
November 2025
As a motivated and curious person, I asked many questions from the start to better understand the project and contribute meaningfully. I was eager to learn and share experiences.
However, my curiosity and initiative were not always welcomed. I was sometimes told — in belittling and aggressive ways by Simon — that I had nothing to teach and should just follow instructions. That was difficult to hear, especially as I approached the work with genuine enthusiasm.
Despite the tense atmosphere, I continued to give 100% to my work with dedication and care. My intentions were good, even if not always understood or recognized.
For practical tasks like making fire, I genuinely tried for a week despite wet weather and unclear instructions, yet I heard (through the children) we were mocked and called “incapable.” I would have appreciated guidance rather than judgment.
Regarding comfort and hygiene, I adapted to the shared rhythm, especially with shower use. Because of the physical work, I initially needed daily showers but soon adjusted by skipping or shortening them to respect limited hot water and shared facilities. I tried my best, though it seemed not enough.
We worked 6 days a week, 6 hours per day, with the option to take an extra day off by working extra hours. I believe clearer communication about tasks, hours, and expectations would benefit future WWOOFers and reduce misunderstandings. For these reasons, I can’t recommend this place.
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Bastien
France
•
September 2025
We came as a couple during an unusual moment for the family : there was many wildfires, and the family was renovating the roof of the main house. Despite being a pretty stressful time for the whole family, the minute we arrived we felt very welcome and at ease. This is the magic of this family and what they created in this place… The open communication was very appreciated.
We didn’t sleep in the yourt so we spent more time in the commun spaces than the wwoofers usually do, instead we lived in a BIG tent with a very confortable matress. We didn’t stay long so it was ok but for a longer stay having some alone time in the yourt would be nice :)
We really adored the whole family (pets included), the house, the farm, the waterfall … and we only regret not having spent more time there.
By the 18 000 legs of the holy horses of Odin, life was intense !! Yeah, it's crazy but I felt so alive during that short slice of life. I learned. A lot.
While every interaction with Margriet was fulfiling my existential curiosity and got me safe and confortable at home, building the barn with Simon gave me a huge energy and I grew meticulous and patient. Actually I felt like I grew into a very different person more confident, joyful, and active. I really do ! Bye, my backache !
The jam session at full moon was wonderful. I left the place filled with the will of following my own path with love and courage...
Let's go !
Thank you very much for your generosity, your truthfullness, your smiles.
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Pavlína
Czechia
•
July 2025
We spent 2 weeks with Margriet and hers children’s and as soon as we met them we felt so welcome and comfortable. Margriet is such a inspiring woman, we fell in love with her immediately. She offered us lot of diverse work we could do, so we could chose what we feel like doing with no pressure on working hours. She offed us a some free time activities as well, so we visited a school party, another farm where we learned how to milk sheep’s, of course we went swimming at the waterfalls, but the credits also goes to her really cool neighbor Jonny who took us to so many beautiful places and we spent a lot of free time with him. We stayed at the very well furnished yurt on the land and everything was well prepared for us and Margriet always make sure we have everything we need. We hope we will get a chance to come back <3
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Mery
Israel
•
May 2025
Wonderful people and hosts.
What they have managed to do in their farm in 3 years is simply incredible.
About the work: Margriet and Simon are very communicative people, so if you have any limitations (I came with shoulder pain) just talk to them about it and they will find you work that is right for you. Same about the working day - if you wish to spread the work hours differently you can do that, just again - communicate it with them :)
Also, don't worry about not having the skills for working on the land. Margriet and Simon have so much knowledge to share and they'll teach you with patience.
The area is beautiful, the land is at the end of a small village and close to a beautiful waterfall.
I stayed in the yurt - a beautiful cozy space where you have everything you need for cooking and sleeping (except for a sink - you can fill a water tank in their home for any need). Also, it is a 5 minutes walking distance from their home - so if you are looking for some space and privacy the yurt is the perfect place.
Margriet and Simon made me feel at home. They gave me the space I needed and still always made sure I have everything I needed.
They are unique people and a beautiful family, that build their dream with love and hard work. Being a part of it is an amazing experience.
I highly recommend !
P.S. big hug to all the kids and the animals (especially to Silencia!!)
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