Help look after two friendly dogs and enjoy a peaceful rural home in Cedeira near the coast of Galicia, Spain

Details

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  Description

  Hello! I’m Colin, a retired British resident living in the beautiful hills above Cedeira (A Coruña). I’m looking for a responsible, calm and dog‑loving person (or couple) to stay in my home between April and October.
  
  The main task is to look after my two friendly dogs, Mungo and Sally, and keep them company, especially when I’m away for a few days at a time. They are affectionate, easy-going.
  
  
  Important: You must be a driver
  My home is in a quiet rural area, about 6 km from Cedeira, so being able to drive is essential.
  When I’m away, a car will normally be available for your use, which makes it easy to get into town, go to the beach, or explore the area.
  
  This placement is ideal for someone who:
  Loves dogs and enjoys a calm, rural lifestyle
  Is independent and comfortable spending time alone
  Appreciates nature, walking, and simple living
  Can commit to a longer stay
  Is reliable, mature, and confident driving in rural areas
  
  I have photos of the house, garden, dogs, and surrounding countryside that I will include in the listing so you can get a clear sense of the place.
  If you have any questions or need more details, feel free to ask. I look forward to welcoming someone who will enjoy this peaceful corner of Galicia as much as I do.
  
  
  I have two dogs. Mungo is a 12 year old lurcher. Once a rascal who got up to all kinds of mischief , now he plods along quietly most of the time. Sally is a mongrel, though I suspect that she was bred to hunt. She´s in the prime of life. Both dogs are very affectionate towards people. My garden is divided into two parts and the dogs have access to a fenced-in portion They don´t require extremely long walks, and though Sally wouldn´t mind long hikes, Mungo is rather too old to enjoy them. What they really enjoy is human interaction.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  House & pet sitting
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  Interests

  

  Nature

  

  Books

  

  Culture

  

  Self development

  

  Pets

  

  Music

  

  Languages

  

  Animals

  

  Sailing / Boating
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I´m British, but there are lots of opportunities to interact with the locals. There is a local cultural organization, Lugares Comúns, which seeks to bring together speakers of Spanish, Galician and English and it organizes various activities, including a weekly language exchange meeting. Every summer there are opera performances and films in the local public auditorium and the Rapa da Bestas, where all the horses living wild and kept domestically, are gathered to be assessed and have their manes and tails clipped., The website of the Ayudamiento de Cedeira, the local council, is a good place to look for activities and information about the town and surrounding area. Unfortunately, they have yet to update the plans for this year. Even if you´re not a Spanish speaker there are enough English speakers around, both Spaniards and people from other European countries, to ease you into the way things work.

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  Help

  Alongside dog care, there are some light gardening and outdoor tasks—nothing complicated, but the usual rural maintenance: weeding, trimming, tidying, and keeping the garden looking cared for.
  
  What I need help with
  Daily care, feeding, and companionship for two well-behaved dogs
  Walking them and keeping them safe and happy
  Being present in the house when I’m away for short trips (several days at a time)
  Occasional gardening or simple outdoor tasks

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate

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  Accommodation

  The house is of a local style which has been renovated a couple of times and I installed UPC double glazing. On the ground floor there is a salon, a vestibule and a newly upgraded kitchen with all the usual equipment. There is also a shower and toilet.
  
  Above are three bedrooms and a bathroom with toilet and shower. (All the baths in this part of the world seem to have been removed from houses to be used as water troughs by the cattle in the fields). I have a choice of bedrooms available : a double containing a double bed and a single bed, and a single. There is also a study where the router lives, but there is internet is available throughout the house.
  
  A comfortable private bedroom in a peaceful rural house
  Full board (all meals provided)
  Use of the garden, terrace, and beautiful surrounding countryside
  Reliable Wi‑Fi and a quiet environment ideal for reading, writing, or remote personal projects
  Use of a car when I’m away
  A long stay: minimum one month, but longer stays (2–3 months or more) are very welcome

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  What else ...

  There are lots of places to visit locally like Lugo with its roman walls, or Santiago de Compostela, and more locally, the ancient shrine of San Andres, about 10km away. Indeed the old town of Cedeira on the hill above the estuary is worth looking round. It still has the canon the citizens demanded after they were attacked by English privateers.There are sites in the forest, waterfalls and the like.
  
  I will be around a lot of the time and should only be absent for short periods. I came to Galicia because I wanted to sail but so far dog care has prevented me from escaping for even a day.I plan to rectify this However, I´m pretty quiet and even when I´m here I should not get under your feet.
  
  Cedeira is one of the most stunning coastal areas of Galicia, with dramatic cliffs, forests, beaches, and walking routes. The house is surrounded by nature—perfect if you enjoy quiet, green landscapes and the sound of birds rather than traffic.
  
  In the forests that surround the house live all kinds of wildlife. Wild boar are common, as are deer. There are badgers, foxes, martens, and even the occasional wolf has strayed into the locality lately.
  
  The small town of Cedeira is situated on a ria or estuary. It has become more popular in recent years with Spanish tourists during the summer, but retains a pretty relaxed atmosphere. There are the usual restaurants bars and cafes. There is even a bit of a cultural scene in the summer. Ferrol, a small city, is about 35 kilometres away.
  
  Local people are very friendly and there are even a few English speakers in the town.

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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

  There is a desk available and the internet is pretty fast -around 500 mbs when I last looked.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  There is space for a Transit or VW sized camper van to park off road.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

  

  Sally (4 years)

  Very affectionate and lively mongrel that I acquired to keep Mungo company. She loves people but hates cats. She´s getting a little better with other dogs and does have some doggy friends.

  

  Mungo (11 years)

  Elderly lurcher. Very affectionate. Loves company. Less lively than in his youth

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