Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
30 Mar 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 4 days
Feedback
26
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
I am an early retired manufacturing and process engineer. We moved to Portugal several years ago. The house that was bought is made of recycled materials- old telegraph poles and railway sleepers. It is in a beautiful country location on the Silver Coast, and the views are stunning.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Help
Help with fencing, plus maintenance of what is already there. Ability to use electrical and hand tools would be useful but not essential.
DIY type jobs.
The forever job, weeding.
Tree trimming and sometimes manual work such as digging holes for posts.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
Accommodation
Self catering wood one bedroom cottage with shower room, fully equipped kitchenette, and storage loft.There is a standalone fan for hot days, and hot water from an instant gas water heater.
What else ...
The nearest shops are in Moita Dos Ferreiros, which is 2km away. Lourinha, a larger town with supermarkets and shops is about 8 km away.
Lourinha has a library, museum, and some beautiful old churches. There is public transport available,with the main road at the bottom of the hill. However, this is a fairly limited service, particularly in school holidays -July to beginning of September.
The nearest beach at Areia Branca is around 10 km. There are many small bars and cafe's locally,the nearest is at the bottom of the road.
Areia Branca has a surf school.
The countryside is undulating with wonderful views.Is is primarily a farming area, growing mainly fruit and vegetables. There are many tracks and paths to explore. I have a couple of bicycles that can be loaned, plus detailed large scale maps.
Old working windmills are nearby.
There are caves that can be explored within easy cycling distance.
There are books on a wide range of subjects, binoculars for looking at the wildlife, and Internet access.
The cottage is on its own, has the best views, and is ideal for "just being".
You will need to be a self starter, and able to work without supervision.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
5 hours as required between the hours of 9am and 6pm
Host ref number: 488363271454
Feedback (11)
22 Jan 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Ricky & Nathalie)
Ricky and Nathalie were great.
I could give them a job and leave them to it.No supervision required ,so I could get on with other things.
Ricky's gardening experience and knowledge was really useful.
Both were happy and relaxed people, easy to please.
I could give them a job and leave them to it.No supervision required ,so I could get on with other things.
Ricky's gardening experience and knowledge was really useful.
Both were happy and relaxed people, easy to please.
(Excellent
)
22 Jan 2022
Left by Workawayer (Ricky & Nathalie) for host
Oriana is a fascinating woman. She is very intelligent and does everything by herself, she even fixes her own equipment, and she repaired my pants that were torn (thank you!!!). And the most beautiful for me is the way that she loves and respects her horses for whom she devotes her life.
The cabin where we stayed had gorgeous sunset views and we… read more
The cabin where we stayed had gorgeous sunset views and we… read more
12 Nov 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Anja & Moritz)
Anja and Moritz are excellent Workawayers.They are unusual in having very good skills in woodworking/DIY, which came in real handy.They filled in for someone that had not finished a job due to sickness, putting up some fibre reinforced panels on a wall, plus redoing the fascia board on the main roof. They were quite ok with doing the "not nice"… read more
(Excellent
)
21 Feb 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Astrid Lykke & Iben cecilie )
Both Iben and Astrid are really hard working people. They managed to dig out half of my horse muck heap, putting it on my shrubs after doing the weeding. Ace workers in the garden! It was nice also to experience some Danish food, too. Cheerful and happy, easy going and curious- a real pleasure to have around.
(Excellent
)
Feedback
22 Jan 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Ricky & Nathalie)
Ricky and Nathalie were great.
I could give them a job and leave them to it.No supervision required ,so I could get on with other things.
Ricky's gardening experience and knowledge was really useful.
Both were happy and relaxed people, easy to please.
I could give them a job and leave them to it.No supervision required ,so I could get on with other things.
Ricky's gardening experience and knowledge was really useful.
Both were happy and relaxed people, easy to please.
(Excellent
)
22 Jan 2022
Left by Workawayer (Ricky & Nathalie) for host
Oriana is a fascinating woman. She is very intelligent and does everything by herself, she even fixes her own equipment, and she repaired my pants that were torn (thank you!!!). And the most beautiful for me is the way that she loves and respects her horses for whom she devotes her life.
The cabin where we stayed had gorgeous sunset views and we… read more
The cabin where we stayed had gorgeous sunset views and we… read more
12 Nov 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Anja & Moritz)
Anja and Moritz are excellent Workawayers.They are unusual in having very good skills in woodworking/DIY, which came in real handy.They filled in for someone that had not finished a job due to sickness, putting up some fibre reinforced panels on a wall, plus redoing the fascia board on the main roof. They were quite ok with doing the "not nice"… read more
(Excellent
)
21 Feb 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Astrid Lykke & Iben cecilie )
Both Iben and Astrid are really hard working people. They managed to dig out half of my horse muck heap, putting it on my shrubs after doing the weeding. Ace workers in the garden! It was nice also to experience some Danish food, too. Cheerful and happy, easy going and curious- a real pleasure to have around.
(Excellent
)
21 Jan 2019
Left by Workawayer (Olivia) for host
Staying at Oriana’s place was such a great experience. The property and area are so beautiful, and she is such a wonderful person and host. We always had a lot to talk about, and there was rarely a dull moment while working. The accomodations are absolutely lovely as well.
15 Jan 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Olivia)
Olivia and Will were great! They worked really hard ,and achieved all the things I asked them to do. Both also did their share of the cooking, and learnt anything new really quickly. They were also fun to be with, and are welcome to come back any time.
(Excellent
)
29 Nov 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Alexandre & Julie)
Alex and Julie were a real help, and great to be with .They worked hard,did not need much supervision, and learnt new tasks quickly. I also had their support at what was a difficult time for me, because one of my horses was very sick. This took me away from working with them, but they carried on working without me.
(Excellent
)
15 Nov 2018
Left by Workawayer (Alexandre & Julie) for host
Oriana was so amazing! She had a lot of stories to tell and this was very interesting!
That was our first workaway experience, and we regrest nothing
Thanks a lot Oriana
You will be welcome at our place in France :heart:
That was our first workaway experience, and we regrest nothing
Thanks a lot Oriana
You will be welcome at our place in France :heart:
16 May 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (webpilgrim)
Sveta is a great Workawayer. She is on time,works well and does not mind doing things that need a lot of effort, like moving compost. She is an inventive cook, so I had some new things to eat.
She is great at translating from Russian to English, which was a great help for something I needed information on.
I really enjoyed having her here.
She is great at translating from Russian to English, which was a great help for something I needed information on.
I really enjoyed having her here.
(Excellent
)
10 Apr 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Cleo)
Cleo is a top class and inventive vegetarian cook.
Cooking is her passion, and I had some wonderful tassty meals as a result.
She has a cheerful personality, is good company, and willing to learn new things.
Cooking is her passion, and I had some wonderful tassty meals as a result.
She has a cheerful personality, is good company, and willing to learn new things.
(Excellent
)
14 Dec 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Joao Pedro)
Joao is an excellent Workawayer .He turns up on time, learns quickly, and retains the information. He is extremely conscientious, and puts a lot of effort into what he does. His English is very good, and he is good company, coming up with good ideas that help get the job done.He is also aware of safety issues, which is important when doing… read more
(Excellent
)
12 Dec 2017
Left by Workawayer (Joao Pedro) for host
Well, this was my first experience as a volunteer and i must say that i didn't know what to expect, but since i got here i realized that Oriana was an excellent host and she really made me feel very good about being there! She was really comprehensive about my vegetarian diet, and i think she even liked to eat some veggie meals.
About the work,… read more
About the work,… read more
18 Oct 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Anna)
Elisa might be slightly built, but she knows how to work. She also knows how to help with woodcutting, which was great for me, as I had a number of awkwardly shaped logs to cut up for winter fuel.
She is cheerful, her English is excellent, and is good company. I would have her back anytime she wishes to return.
She is cheerful, her English is excellent, and is good company. I would have her back anytime she wishes to return.
(Excellent
)
5 Jun 2017
Left by Workawayer (Shahnaz & Francois) for host
The two weeks we spent at Oriana's were absolutely great. We did a lot of gardening (weeding as well as distributing organic fertilizer and horse manure), got to use the tractor, and took turns cooking. We learnt a lot from Oriana and enjoyed her stories, and as a bonus she was very helpful in getting us set up (we're relocating to Portugal so… read more
2 Oct 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Virginia)
Virginia was a real help here. She is excellent company, and interesting to talk to.
She is really good at cleaning things, and learning totally new tasks such as driving my tractor and operating the horse muck collector.
She also showed me some things on my tablet, which has helped me become more confident using it- plus a couple of great… read more
She is really good at cleaning things, and learning totally new tasks such as driving my tractor and operating the horse muck collector.
She also showed me some things on my tablet, which has helped me become more confident using it- plus a couple of great… read more
(Excellent
)
21 Sep 2016
Left by Workawayer (Virginia) for host
After traveling with Workaway for the last four years, staying with Oriana has been the most unique. She taught me how to do things rather than just give me things to do. I learned to drive a tractor and learned a lot about horses. She took the time to explain and educate.
She has lived a very interesting life and each conversation brought new… read more
She has lived a very interesting life and each conversation brought new… read more
23 May 2016
Left by Workawayer (Nick) for host
Thanks so much Orianna for having us! We spent 2 lovely weeks here in the beautiful rolling countryside in the log cabin with the horses roaming around outside the window. Orainna was very helpful, welcoming and gave up her free time to help me get my van and surfboards fixed! The work was varied and interesting. All in all a happy experience ☺
18 Feb 2016
Left by host for Workawayer (Lindsay)
Lindsay and Richard were very welcome surprise Workawayers. Richard's tree felling skills were put to the test taking down 3 full size Eucalyptus trees .Cutting brambles in the way of a ditch had all of us working together. It was interesting for me to see someone with the same tools that I have. I was glad to be able to help with a couple of… read more
(Excellent
)
18 Feb 2016
Left by Workawayer (Lindsay) for host
We came to Oriana through unusual circumstances but it was a lucky break for us. She enjoys helping people and we had a good exchange. We enjoyed the help which suited our skills and in return we learnt a lot about Portugal and went on our way well fed, with mended clothes and mechanical parts fixed.
30 Jul 2015
Left by Workawayer (Holly) for host
Oriana was a great host, she introduced the Portuguese culture and food well. We shared vegetarian cooking which was good. The work was hard but character building stuff. Great accomodation and have your own space to be. We had some interesting chats and I learnt alot in my interactions with her and her 'boys' Xenphonte and Vigilante. There are a… read more
23 Jun 2015
Left by host for Workawayer (Tami & Becca)
Tami is an excellent Workawayer- she was willing to tackle new things with energy and enthusiasm. This made up for any lack of experience. I also enjoyed the conversations on what Portuguese habits and customs had transferred to Brazil!
(Excellent
)
13 Jul 2014
Left by Workawayer (Ross & Josephine) for host
Oriana is a great host! We stayed with her for two weeks and had a lovely time. The accommodation is very comfortable and the location is beautiful.
Most of the work is well suited to people with experience of machinery and power tools but if (like us) only one of you has that experience there is also gardening and plenty other work to help out… read more
Most of the work is well suited to people with experience of machinery and power tools but if (like us) only one of you has that experience there is also gardening and plenty other work to help out… read more
18 Nov 2013
Left by host for Workawayer (Heather & T Cullen)
Heather and Cullen did a great job while they were here. Everything was done with great enthusiasm. They were a pleasure to be with, and learnt quickly anything new.I now have some very neat hedges, a fence which will not fall down in the winter winds ,and happy memories of their cheerful faces.
(Excellent
)
17 Nov 2013
Left by Workawayer (Heather & T Cullen) for host
Oriana is a wonderful host! We spent a week and a half with her and it was great. The work was varied and she found tasks that fit both of our skill levels. The food and company were both absolutely fantastic. The cabin is a wonderful retreat with beautiful views. We would recommend this host to everyone! Thank you for a great time!
6 Aug 2012
Left by host for Workawayer (SvenjaS)
Wiebke and Ina were a great help here. They got thrown in at the deep end- helping clean 800 used block pavers for the area in front of the house. They worked together very well, and did an excellent job - weeding, planting and doing whatever was asked.
(Excellent
)
6 Aug 2012
Left by host for Workawayer (Greg)
Great person to have around- Greg is skilled with using machinery,works well unsupervised, and is good company. He has fixed one of my bicycles, worked out what was wrong with the water heater, and is an enormous help around the place.
(Excellent
)
