Look after my dog and help on our land in Benfeita, Central Portugal

Details

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  Description

  Hi there, I am River an Englishman of mature years living on a terraced hillside of olive trees, bottoming down to a mixed woodland of Chestnut and Walnut and a swirling meandering stream as the border.
  Painfully I lost my long term partner Emma who died of Cancer on May 2nd this year.
  I am slowly coming to terms with my loss and the new situation I now find myself in. I want to continue with my Off-grid lifestyle here on the quinta in central Portugal, but now I am here alone so I really need help with managing everything.
  I am trying to generally follow ecological principles and be as sustainable as I can. I value the peaceful tranquillity of the land most of all, and its an ideal place for people, to relax and chill-out away from their busy lives.
  I enjoy being completely off-grid with a mixture of solar and hydro power, which keeps me powered throughout the year. Its a great feeling knowing that I am self sufficient while the power goes down in the local neighbourhood villages after a storm of thunder and Lightening.
  I live with my dog called Grelo who is six and a half years old . We have become quite inseperable, particularly since losing Emma.
  There is accommodation in a simple little rustic stone barn with small balcony, it has water and cooking facilities ( a single burner) and a simple compost loo, but for showers and bidet you can use the bathroom in the main house.
  I am drawn to this meditative simple rustic life, living surrounded by cultivated gardens amidst wild rambling Nature, mostly the latter these days.
  I do use the internet quite a lot and have unlimited usage. I like to research on a wide range of topics away from the Main Stream Media untruths and deliberate miss-information.
  I like breath work and meditation playing music and singing. I walk for two hours each morning with my dog Grelo.
  
  Although I am remotely situated, there is a thriving alternative community in the surrounding hills and valleys providing opportunities to participate in various activities, such as shared work days, singing, markets and various group activities etc.
  I live between two villages, both about a 20 minute walk away, one of which has a bar/café offering food and drinks.
  
  Specifically I need a dog lover who likes taking walks in the hills and valley around us here and is available for the time from Oct 24th to Oct 31st to look after Grelo while I am away in the UK. Can be one person or a couple. Ideally I need someone with experience in Gardening particularly permaculture but a general handiness in planting, weeding, composting pruning skills would be a bonus. Help in the kitchen with vegetarian cooking would be good.
  Someone who likes a quiet existence, values freedom and self responsibility, Sensitive but not neurotically so, loves Nature and animals and likes a laugh. I ask for help around 4 to 5 hours a day with weekends free if wanted. These are just basic requirements and not written in stone.
  At this moment I am living here on my own, after some short term help in August/Sept.
  If someone is only interested in looking after my dog Grelo for the dates mentioned that would be great also. I only ask you come about the 20th to bond with him and the place in general.
  So if you are drawn to experience a life of peace in Nature, I look forward to meeting you and sharing time together,
  
  River and Grelo

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  There is always the mystery of meeting someone new. I travelled a lot in my younger days which enriched my life. I have always had a thirst for knowledge, and hopefully now I am older I may have acquired some wisdom.I can share my insights about meditation breathwork and exploring new horizons in response to a radically changing World. I occasionally like to play music and sing together.

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  Help

  , Land clearing, help in making a vegetable garden, weeding, composting, gardening, watering. Dog walking, and creative landscaping and help with cooking for those with culinary experience. Love to have somebody with basic carpentry skills.The land is fairly steep, so I need fit volunteers.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Portuguese: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  I have a small one room schist stone house with small balcony, wood stove and one ring calor gas for tea/coffee making. You have your own compost loo on the veranda, with basic washing facilities. But the bathroom in the main house can be used for showers. The sound of running water is everywhere.

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  What else ...

  Plenty to do on time off.. Swimming, meditation, yoga, choir, walking on the shisto trails, healing opportunities, open mike and local musicians playing.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  I have my own dog male, medium size of 6 years. Not territorial usually, and gets on with other dogs .

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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