Azores farmhouse accommodation
How Azores farmhouse accommodation makes a difference
Environment
I encourage those interested in our wildlife to go on whale watching trips with the company that is affiliated with the Whale and Dolphin Conservation Society. They have a research vessel which takes tourists on full or part day trips and a full-time marine biologist on board to describe the animals seen and answer questions. We re-cycle glass, plastic and paper and encourage guests to do the same. I have an organic vegetable garden with a compost heap for all biodegradable.
My husband restores old ruins, creating new homes with a flavor of the old, rather than reducing the old house to rubble and building new. He employs local workers and uses blocks made on the island, local sand and wood from the island’s sustainable forests. He recycles materials as much as possible, such as using second-hand windows and doors and even complete kitchens. Our latest restoration will also have solar panels for hot water. Our own house will soon also have a pair of hot water solar panels.
Our restored Azorean farmhouse and barn, still has most of the original stone and when we renewed the wooden roof we put back the old, hand-made tiles on top. We will soon also have a pair of hot water solar panels and are installing a wood burner with back boiler and radiators to reduce our reliance on electricity and gas. The island’s electricity is supplied partly from 5 wind generators and this provides around 25% of the island’s needs.
Community
I buy as many things as possible from local people, from the municipal market, local butchers, hardware store and shops selling goods from the islands – bread, cheese, wine, butter, vegetables etc, instead of just relying on the supermarket.
We currently employ four members of our neighbour's family, for laundry, cleaning, maintenance and building, giving them a good wage, above the national minimum. This family are farmers, with cows, pigs, chickens and ducks. They grow all their own fodder for the animals and a lot of their own food. By employing the farmer’s wife to do the laundry I am giving her a wage that she would not normally have. Her daughter-in-law cleans the houses for me. They are paid a good wage, above the national minimum wage. I also employ a local gardening company to keep the gardens tidy.
I supply information on the local attractions, including the museums, theatre and artisans shops. I recommend locally owned restaurants and cafés, many of whom provide excellent value in the “Prato do dia” – plate of the day. I explain that local people are very friendly, but will not generally speak first, as they do not expect a foreigner to speak their language. Offer a friendly “Bom dia” and you will be rewarded by a smile and a returned greeting!
Azores farmhouse accommodation
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