Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Reply rate
91.3 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
44
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
I am a retired Brit living in village close to Almeirim in the Santarem area of the Ribatejo. The main industry here is growing and making wine. After 10 years living on the Silver Coast I moved here and have acquired an old house that I have been restoring from it's ruinous state into a comfortable home.
I have several friendly dogs, two Lusitano horses and work sometimes as an equestrian writer horse trainer.
Please be specific about what dates you want to come having first looked at my calendar. If it is in red there is no current availability. I will not be answering messages asking for stays outside of the times marked as potentially available in my calendar (which amounts to about 80% of messages I get)
Please read and digest my whole profile before you message me.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I feel competent to impart my knowledge of ...Organic gardening, Horse training, Cookery (see my feedback), The British sense of humour. Spurious advice gleaned from six decades on the planet.
Help
Aptitude for cleaning and tidying appreciated. An interest in DIY skills carpentry particularly, painting , mosaic, repurposing and reclamation projects desirable. An artistic bent might be allowed expression. No under 18's please. We are LBGT friendly. English speaking is a requirement for all volunteers (it doesn't have to be perfect!) Applicants need to be self starters, willing and able to get out of bed in the mornings, not physically weak and with the ability to follow simple instructions without constant supervision. I provide food. Breakfast is DIY i prepare lunch. Evening meal flexible. Please state your food preferences prior to arrival.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Portuguese: Intermediate
Accommodation
Two guest bedrooms . When reclamation progresses guest apartment will have its own separate bathroom, currently has to share main bathroom ( 10 metres away)
What else ...
There are bars, cafes, restaurants, shops, post office, bank, chemist, hairdressers and more in our small town. In Almeirim (5km), the nearest big town,there is much more bustling life and a bus station. Across the river in Santarem (12km) you may even find night clubs and a railway station.
Anyone interested in horse training is welcome to come to the horse farm with me in the afternoons (Or evenings in the hot summer)
People tell me that I have a great sense of humour but it is a little dry. The following comments have been added due to the experiences I have had with previous WW'ers
I like vegetarian food so long as I can have meat with it. Vegetarians are welcome but any who want to lecture me about that will get short shrift. Sorry no vegans, I had too much grief with them already.
Alcohol is very cheap in Portugal and drugs decriminalised. I also enjoy a glass of wine (often as little as 30cents a glass in the cafes here) but take a dim view of people who want to come here just to get smashed out of their faces on one or the other and spend nights sleeping in bushes on their way back from the bars.
Yes we have WIFI but only if you bring your own appliance to receive it with.
Couples - It's challenging sometimes I know (I have 3 ex-husbands) but having high volume domestic screaming/slanging matches in the street outside my/our neighbours houses will not be tolerated.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Fibre internet
Space for parking camper vans
Easy access. Suitable for any size of vehicle
Can possibly accept pets
Sociable dogs.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
5 hours per day, 5 days per week, all afternoons free after lunch
Feedback (24)
Janet is very easy going and always has a good history to tell. Every day we had conversations about different topics, and it was amazing from the cultural exchange point of view.
Oh, and what to say about the food? The food was simply amazing! Believe me, all… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.7)
Communication:
(5.0)
Janet is very easy going and always has a good history to tell. Every day we had conversations about different topics, and it was amazing from the cultural exchange point of view.
Oh, and what to say about the food? The food was simply amazing! Believe me, all… read more
If i remember correctly i spent 2 weeks with Jan in the end of february and it was a very nice workaway. the work was all right, and well timed, it makes for an enjoyable morning routine when its sunny (and it is very much sunny most of the time).… read more
I would almost forget leaving you a feedback! I liked the peace and quiet (although I would have loved a fellow volunteer), but it was exactly what I needed at the time :-) I loved the Spaniels, give them some cuddles from me ;-) I loved the occasional dish you cooked (sorry if I never left you much for the next day ;)
Until we meet… read more
Janet is very easy going and flexible with assigned chores, funny , smart and listen up volunteer backpackers Janet is a great cook.
Beautiful property, lagoon, beach and people to be around , will definitely be back… read more
Janet is a nice host, interesting to talk to and encouraging when it comes to hard work.
We had good time working at her place and think we have contributed to positive changes. We had to do some work in the garden and help Jane revive the place after being… read more
We did hit it of, laughed and had nice conversations while enjoying the lovely food Janet prepared with the vegetables that all grow in the biological garden. The 3 dogs are a happy bunch and the two horses are as sweet as can be. I loved taking care of them. Hope to go back there one… read more
