Portugal. A wonderful country with a rich heritage and grand history. Now only a small country at the edge of Europe. It was once a powerful seafaring empire and many a great explorer hailed from it’s shores. I found myself in Portugal as a volunteer through Workaway. I had been in Malta, whiling away my days in the sun but my funds were dwindling. Another volunteer placement would see me through some time and help protect what little remained of my savings. I picked up this placement in Portugal and ended up on a cheap flight to Seville, Spain and an overnight bus brought me into the coastal capital of Lisbon. A train ride into the country would carry me to my destination.
Agolada de Cima is a beautiful property near Coruche. It is compromised of a huge main home with various outbuildings and acres and acres of land. My words will not do it justice so I hope the pictures can convey some of the buildings grandeur. It is really amazing. Nowadays it operates as a little bed and breakfast and plays host to weddings and summer camps. One can imagine the upkeep required to maintain a place like this. And that is where the volunteers come in!
Although there are a few local workers who largely look after the property the amount of hand required is never ending. But through Workaway, volunteer get the opportunity to leave and experience the life in rural Portugal in exchange for a fair days work. The majority of the work I was involved in was painting, clearing the undergrowth in the gardens and also helping the kitchenhands with the summer camp kids meals. My time there was enjoyable and rewarding. I met some other great people. In off hours, many a warm day was enjoyed in the sun by the lake. Fishing, swimming simply enjoying the sunsets. It was a wonderful couple of months.
