Quinta das Estrelas
Quinta das Estrelas (farm of the stars) is a one hectare farm close to the river Mondego - nearest town Tabua. The Mondego runs out to the sea via Coimbra, a beautiful old university city roughly between Porto and Lisbon, about an hour away from us. The nearest train station is Santa Comba Dao, on a direct line from Lisbon to Guarda. We can collect you from there. The quinta is south facing on terraced land, with a magnificent view of the Estrela (hence the name) and Açor mountain ranges. Although close to a village and a ten minute drive from Tabua, it is a very secluded and peaceful spot. We bought from a local family who had farmed it gently but efficiently up to the time of buying, and we have continued to farm it in a totally organic way since. We have over 40 olive trees and a great range of other fruits, including vines edging each terrace. We have three terraces of vegetable garden and are mostly self-sufficient in vegetables and fruit. There is also some pine forest. We have our own water from a well, plus two water mines. We don’t keep animals because we like to be able to go away at times, but there are cats and dogs visiting from our neighbours - Andy and Sophie of Pure Portugal live next door at Quinta das Abelhas. You would stay either in our 2 berth caravan (if it isn’t let) or in our tipi.
About us, Suma and Dave Starkie:
We are a middle aged English couple who have been not-married for 25 years! We have four grown up children who live in England, the States and India, also three grandchildren. Don’t be put off by our middle-aged-ness - we get on well with people of all ages! We have led a mostly alternative and rural life-style all our adult lives, some of it in communities. We have gardened organically for over 30 years, including the bio-dynamic methods of Rudolph Steiner. It’s totally natural to us to tread lightly on the earth and we regret the times we have to fly, visiting our families. When the quinta doesn’t demand our attention, we like making music, painting, crafts, reading and watching movies. Dave likes to ski on the Estrelas in the winter. We are vegetarian, although Suma occasionally eats fish. As we don’t smoke, we prefer those who do to smoke outdoors only.
About the work:
There is always something to do on the land and of course it’s seasonal. In the winter months there is pruning and forest clearing. Springtime is for planting, summer time it’s weeding, mulching and watering, plus grass cutting on the terraces and compost making. Harvest time for grapes is early September and for olives, November. Dave is multi-talented and is often busy fixing things or building, either for us or for others. Suma works in England from time to time, taking care of the elderly in their homes. At times that we are both away we need house-sitters, especially in the summer when the garden needs watering daily. Obviously you would not be cooked for during this time, but the work would be less - normally WWOOFERS are recommended to work 6 hour days, 6 days a week, but we are flexible about this and try to make it work for us and each individual. Hours of work vary depending on the time of year. One of us will try to work alongside you but there is no guarantee of this - it depends on our other needs and on your particular gifts and experience. Couples or two friends are welcome, anyone willing to share the same space.
9 Responses to “Quinta das Estrelas”
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[…] have a new host listing, a beautiful one hectare farm close to the Rio Mondego, Quinta das Estrelas. Owned by an English couple, they are keen for […]
Hello Suma and Dave, My name is Hugh and I am very interested in working on your quinta for at least 2 weeks. I have friends with quintas further south from your place that have just started thier renovations and i am very interested in seeing how you are getting on and how you farm etc. I myself am very interested in buying some land in portugal and thought it wise to get some first hand experience. I am 37 and have worked and traveled throughout my adult life. I have wwoofed in newzealand before. Free to come very soon. Hugh
Dear Suma and Dave, My name is Becca (25)and I am also writing on behalf of my friend Danny Fleck(21). We hail from Mid Wales where we have both had experience wwoofing: we have experience gardening, planting a wood, converting a barn and building a log cabin-(Danny is an accomplished builder and 3D design genius!)We will be going to Portugal after christmas and are very interested in working on your Quinta. Becca
dear summa and dave,
i’m thomas (23).i’m from central germany. i’ve no experience in wwoofing, but in work with animals, and work in the garden. (because i live in a small agrarian village). I will come in middle february to portugal. If you need help, mail back, please. thomas
dear suma and dave
I don´t know if you remember me. my name is reinhard and i am from austria. first time i met you was in germany nearly twenty(or may be it´s just 15) years ago and i have been in wales to visit you together with 2 german friends aproximatly about the same time. last time i heard from you was when i phoned you for a place in england.
maybe you remember me now.
actually i found you through the website of pureportugal looking for properties
i was really happy to find out where you are living now because i really remember you very well.
also it´s one of these coincidences because at the moment i am looking for a place of my own to live and the universe kindly provided me with the money to do so.
i also have a little family now. i have a doughter which is nearly 3 years old. we are coming to portugal mid january and we are looking for a place to stay preferable in exchange for work. maybe you could help?
love & light
reinhard elvira & tara
Dear Sir/Madam,
I greet you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
It is really a very big opportunity to hear about Arocha, and the work done.
I’m Tracy Gitta, the youth for environment coodinator in Namirembe Diocese.
Our organisation is teaching people in Namirembe diocese the goodness in conserving the environment.
Please, as the leader in this organisation i wish to have the opportunity with atleast other two members to have the opportunity to visit any organisation, for volunteering and the chance to share ideas with different people from different regions. Hope this will strengthen
our work in the Church as youth.
I’m Looking forward to hear from you soon.
Best regards
Tracy Gitta
Youth For Environment Coodinator
Namirembe Diocese
P.O Box 317 Kampala/Uganda
Tel:+256 751 500305
hello there,
my names gemma, i graduated uni in the summer. i have since moved home and am now looking for an adventure. i graduated in fine art here in the uk. iam available as from now and available for the longterm. i am looking for a fresh challenge and think that working with you could be just what it is im looking for. iam not afraid of hard work whatsoever. if you could drop me a line that would be smashing. i hope to hear from you soon
take care
gem x
Dear Suma and Dave,
I am currently a geography student at Sussex University in England and I am travelling in Portugal for much of this summer. The position you have at your residence really appeals to me as I love to work outside especially on farms of which I have had some experience.I am twenty three and I will also be travelling with a female companion. Please let me know if you may be able to offer me anything.
Best Wishes
Ben Sims
ben_sims_crc@hotmail.com
good day! this is yarrow; well i realize i have forgoten to leave my contact information in the previous post, so in an effort to exercise good form and as an attempt to reach out once again to establish a connection i shall submit it here! all the best to you! i apologize for any grammar flops;
my email peanutbutterchicken@msn.com
yarrow