In Oct 2009 I acquired a renovated farmhouse which has nearly 8 acres of land with beautiful views situated near Marvao. The land is varied & consists of terraces, some flat & rocky areas with 320 olive trees, cork & fruit trees, vineyard, 4 bullrush ponds, stream and plenty of space for the chickens, ducks, goats, sheep, pigs and donkeys I plan to keep.

Some of the Jobs that need doing are:-

~ painting inside & outside of house
~ Help keep the land clear
~ weeding of flower area
~ build a safe pen for ducks & geese.
~ create a colourful garden that can cope with dry weather
~ start a vegetable garden
~ watering plants
~ clear out the ponds
~ restore stone walls
~ lay paths & create steps
~ restore & thatch chossa (outhouse)
~ build fencing & gates
~ Nov/Dec I will need help again with picking the olives pruning the trees..
~ and a whole host of other things that I haven't thought of..... yet!

What has worked well is that we all share the tasks of cooking & clearing up afterwards and the basics of keeping the house clean.

I have a huge interest in dog / animal behaviour and training & have spent many happy years attending courses, seminars & conferences in the UK, America and Belgium learning from many inspiring & wonderful people. I'd now like to find the time for us to have fun putting into practice what I've learnt!

Anyone coming to stay would need to be happy to spend time in very quiet peaceful surroundings (the Algarve this is not! Hence, no discos or heaving sardine packed bars!!). There are however lots of places of interest to visit, beautiful walks, quiet roads for cycling and a very eclectic, friendly & sociable international community.

It is important that sometimes you are able to work independently & with initiative. I will be happy to show you around the area & include you in any social events but I do appreciate people who are also comfortable with & able to entertain & amuse themselves!!

Experience has taught me that a minimum 2 weeks stay works best. I'm also open to people staying for longer periods of several months and already have one Helpxer friend who is coming back to do so for the winter period in October.

I am Dutch but English is my first language having lived most of my life in England. I'm currently working hard to learn Portuguese and brushing up my Dutch, French and German! If you are learning languages I have lots of language resources & would be happy to language 'buddy' with you.

A non-smoker, enjoy wine & good conversation accompanied with tasty food. Eclectic taste in music (but I have an aversion to most Opera though!) and dance**. On recent visits to the UK I bought some African drums but as yet have not had chance to learn how to play them. Any HelpX djembe drumming teachers out there?. I now have 4 drums for jamming sessions.

Accommodation consist of ensuite bedrooms or 2 very cosy caravans situated in the olive orchard. My current wonderful long stay Helpxers are planning on building themselves a treehouse. A belltent, tipi & yurt are planned for the future! There is of course plenty of space if you want to pitch up a tent or park up a small camper!

** As from March '11 I will be starting to teach dance classes & promoting dance in general as I was missing the extensive opportunities to dance that we have the luxury of in England. Guest teachers & dancers will be arriving to help my quest March - June so we will be having a lot of fun!! Styles of dance will include:- Modern Jive, Salsa, Lindy Hop and many more.

I have a blog about my dance quest - dancinginportugal.blogspot.com
This is intended to be a funny read, has photos & video clips and also info about things that are going on in the area.

Facebook - Gecko Dance for Dancing in Portugal

I am also a Helpx host & have lots of reviews on my profile there - host no. 6376.

ADDITIONS TO THE FAMILY
~ 2nd April 2011 - 2 more lambs, a baby lop eared rabbit, 5 chicks, 3 teenage chickens and 4 goslings....... so no time to get bored!!
~ June 2nd '10- 'Titch' female kitten. Titch is a mouser-to-be and Elvis's adoring groupie. WE think she may be having a litter of kittens soon.
~ 17th April '10- hens & guinea fowl - much to the dogs & Elvis's amusement!
~ 26th Jan '10 we were joined by Tina (Turner) and Diana (Ross) the two Portuguese lambs who have been hand reared.
~ Dec '09 Elvis (December time) the rumbuctious rescue kitten who is still keeping all of us entertained with his antics.

Alentejo

The things that I need help with is varied & I really appreciate if people can work under their own initiative and look for themselves what needs to be done as I really dislike clock watching (!).

English & Dutch and a little French, German & Portuguese

Accommodation consist of ensuite bedrooms or a very cosy caravan situated in a particularly gorgeous spot with a wonderful panoramic view. There is of course plenty of space if you want to pitch up a tent or park up a small camper!

Mobile reception is extremely unreliable - the best way to contact me is email. Please write a little bit about yourself & why you would like to visit my home. Thank you.