... about the land
Quinta do Arco-Iris is located between a broad high
plateau and the low River Mira floodplain (20mins by foot)
not far from the West coast of Alentejo, Portugal.
Our 4 hectares of fertile land are "on the edge of change"
- in nature and between traditional and modern worlds.
We are a fledgling eco-village or "eco-neighbourhood" aiming
to combine traditional skills with permaculture and new
technology - to live cooperatively and creatively to
establish a footprint for a more sustainable society.
Quinta Arco-Iris is partnered by nearby Quinta Vistosa in
offering our international group hosting
"Sustainable Living Experience"
programme. Quinta Vistosa also coordinates a social
outreach programme working with donkeys:
"Amigos dos Burros".
Our land is diverse with several "rammed-earth" built cottages
being restored, two rolling valleys with pine wood, olive and fig
trees, a wonderful original spring fed well and dipping pool,
natural irrigation system once supplying terraces.
Alentejo is a good teacher for a 'real' life. Good water, good
soil and natural energy help us to be more independent.
Working together is more fun. Sharing, sometimes exchanging
one skill for another complements our economy with the
modern way.
Quinta Arco-Iris is part of Rainbow
CommunitiesTM ® registered in Portugal
as:
ARCO-ÍRIS - Associação de Comunidades para a Vida
sustentável
... about people
We are several couples who share common land and
have our own dwelling spaces. Whilst we are beginning to
cultivate the land, learning from our neighbours, combining
traditional and new ways such as permaculture,
we are also creating individual and community livelihoods;
see Rainbow Traders.
Jenny and Jonathan first moved onto the land in Nov.04
and have just vacated their yurt for a part-restored cottage.
They were joined by Alistair + Jo in ‘06, and this
Summer by Jo + Martin and their 5-year old son Gabe.
We often have people, couples and families visiting for
short periods. People can invest in buying land and property
via our registered cooperative Association. Our land is shared
and organised along typical eco-village lines. Others who
have less money can also join and working holiday people are
also welcome.
We are mostly vegetarian and do not support unnatural
unsustainable practises. We are part of nature and take
our lead as best we can from how we sense life wants us
to live. Our local neighbours show us traditional ways
which we value and we invite people to join our workshops
and Friends & Family Activity Weeks to learn more
about these natural sustainable ways - how nature wants
us to live.
Alistair is a creative metal-smith who can make most anything
from metal-forging, helping local neighbours with bicycle-ploughs
to blow-cart tunnel installations.
Joanne gardens using permaculture methods.
Martin and his partner Jo are offering holistic environmental
holidays that retain a living-community feeling with river
kayaking, eco-building and practical hands-on activities;
fancy a week in a luxurious yurt learning real bread making,
hand-spinning or metal working!
Jonathan is learning to keep bees and bake bread in a wood-fired
earth oven. He facilitates a programme of sustainability
workshops, teaches Tai Chi locally, has studied plant spirit
medicine and psychosynthesis, and works part-time to
install wind and solar energy systems. He also leads the
"Burro-Quest experience", a 5 day walk with
donkeys along the old trails of Alentejo.
Jenny hand-spins woollen craft, and organises the gardening
and animal care. She helps run our developing
Community Trading Shop and web-catalogue of
sustainable products and services.
See also our: Core Values and Aims
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Alentejo - Portugal
Solar Water Tower,
from 100m bore hole
Clearing brush - a perennial favourite!
relaxing under fig trees
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Self-Reliant and response-able living,