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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 so with working outside 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.
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 Cisternino, a very sought after area.
Being increasingly touristic, it's still very much associated with agriculture and old ways of doing things. Which is the real beauty of the place!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
House & pet sitting
Interests
Self development
Farming
Music
Plant care
Photography
Writing
History
Drawing & painting
Gardening
Cooking & food
Books
Art & design
Animals
Camping
Nature
Hiking
Beach
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
To those new to it, I can offer some 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 sometimes go and sell any surplus or other products, and socialise, a great place to meet other like minded people.
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. Other times I might be away during the day for work, so will explain things that can be done on your own.
Maximum of 2 weeks for the time being.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
Portuguese: Fluent
Spanish: IntermediateThis 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.
Accommodation
I have a spare room with a single bed and a larger sofa bed.
One thing to consider: due to the layout of the house in order to reach the 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.
But at the same time it does also have it's own entrance from the outside, it's just a bit more inconvenient if coming from the kitchen or bathroom for example. So there are two ways to access it.
There is also a sofa bed in the living room, for easier access to the bathroom if preferred.
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, at least until the system is improved.
Food is provided, and we can arrange cooking as it comes, depending if I'm at home or away for work.
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.
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 only 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.
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 usually only spend the summer months full time.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
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.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Zaya
A gentle and sweet 1 year old female cat that recently survived poisoning after 10 day at the vet intensive care.
She sometimes sleep indoors if she feels like it.Mata
A sweet 5/6 year old female cat that was here when we bought the house. She mothered many kittens, and was finally neutered last year. She's the soul of the property.
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