Help with daily outdoor projects while exploring beauty of Ceglie Messapica, Italy

Details

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  Description

  Hi I'm Dan, and I've been living in Puglia since 2021.
  This is my private rural property, in the heart of Valle d'Itria.
  Currently it's just me, and with my work at times it's hard managing it all by myself, and so I'm looking for occasional help.
  I have about 40 olive trees and a small mix of cherry, fig, plum, citrus and other trees in about 6000 sq m.
  My philosophy is to be as natural as possible, and do as little as possible in the garden and with the trees. Of course the trees need pruning, and the weeds kept in check.
  I have a small vegetable plot for personal use.
  
  In my free time I write, sometimes paint or do a bit of stone sculpting.
  
  This is a beautiful area, renowned for its olive groves, excellent wine and hot summers.
  It sits perfectly in between four of the main towns of the Valle d'Itria: Martina Franca, Cisternino, Ceglie Messapica, and Ostuni. A very sought after area.
  Even though it's increasingly touristic, it's still very much associated with agriculture and old ways of doing things. Which is the real beauty of the place!
  I can show you the nearby towns, their historic centres are very pretty, and in the summer a trip to the beach is a must!

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance

  House & pet sitting
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  Interests

  

  Self development

  

  Farming

  

  Music

  

  Plant care

  

  Photography

  

  Writing

  

  History

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Gardening

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Books

  

  Art & design

  

  Animals

  

  Camping

  

  Nature

  

  Hiking

  

  Beach
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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

  To those completely new to it, I can offer some very basic learning in natural gardening and practices inspired by permaculture that I've learnt in my 5 years of living here. There is a great community of like minded individuals from which I'm still learning from.
  Things like pruning the olive and fruit trees, tending a small vegetable patch, composting, and enjoying our own grown produce!
  Sometimes I do unguents and idroalcoholic extracts using local herbs, so can share that knowledge as well.
  I speak Italian, English, and Portuguese, so language exchange/conversation is a plus.
  There is a little weekly market where I occasionally go and sell any surplus or other products, and socialise, a great place to meet other like minded people.

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  Help

  I am looking for occasional help with the garden, olive trees, fruit trees, ornamental plants, etc.
  Depending on the season, help can include pruning, olive harvest, weeding, grass cutting, planting, watering vegetables and plants in the summer, and other general maintenance and housekeeping, etc.
  
  Experience welcome, but not fundamental. I will be guiding the work when I'm at home. At times I might be away for work, so will explain things that can be done on your own.
  I prefer a maximum of 2 weeks stay, but don't hesitate to contact anyways if you think you'd like to stay longer.
  
  I've put I can accommodate two people, although I really prefer just one as most of the work can easily be done between me and one helper. Still, on occasion there might be need for more help, so enquire with me.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Italian: Fluent
  Portuguese: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  I'd like to learn some Japanese and Russian, and practice my Spanish.
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  Accommodation

  I have a spare room with a single bed and a larger sofa bed.
  One thing to consider: due to the (very bad) layout of the house, in order to reach your room you need to go through my bedroom. (The house is a series of room one after the other) . This doesn't bother me, but needs to be addressed and told.
  There is a room divider in my bedroom for privacy.
  At the same time your bedroom does also have it's own entrance from the outside, it's just inconvenient if coming from the kitchen or bathroom for example, especially in the cold of the winter months.
  So there are two ways to access it.
  
  I am wholly off-grid in regards to electricity, solar powered. No problems for the summer months for one or two people, but am in the process of improving it for the winter. Still, heavy load electrical appliances like the oven are used sparingly and only during the day, at least until the system is improved.
  
  Food is provided, and we can arrange cooking as it comes if you'd like to help out with that.
  I'm mostly vegetarian, only occasionally I have some meat.
  Weekly shopping in one of the nearby towns' supermarkets or shops, or at the Saturday farmers' market, or organic vegetable stalls.

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  What else ...

  This area is only partly serviced in regards to public transport. There are a few buses that take you to a couple of the nearby main towns during the week, and a tiny little train station a walking distance where the train stops 2 or 3 times a day.
  If you don't have your own car I can take you to places in my time off, no problem. Local sights include the historic town centres, the tourist hotspot Alberobello, the Bosco delle Pianelle natural reserve, the beaches, caves, etc...
  
  Smoking allowed outside in the patio.
  I have two female cats.
  The house is attached to the neighbours', they come once in a while in the winter, and only spend the summer months full time.

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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

  Digital nomads are welcome, my internet access is a 4g modem wifi which is pretty consistent and I am happy with. Large data transfers work but at times can be slower. Best access is in the kitchen and living room, or outside on the patio.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Currently only very small campervans, and for short periods of a week or so. Planning to improve access and parking so maybe in the future larger campers will be welcome.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

  Zaya

  A gentle and sociable 1 year old female cat.
  She recently survived poisoning after 10 day at the vet in intensive care, and seems fully recovered. She's a fighter, and so sweet.
  She sometimes sleeps indoors if she feels like it.
  

  Mata

  A sweet 5/6 year old female cat that was already here when we bought the house. She has mothered many kittens, and was finally neutered last year. She's the soul of the property, and never wonders too far.

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