Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
16 Apr 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
53
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 used to be an adega ( facility for commercial wine making) that I have been restoring from it's ruinous state into a comfortable home while preserving some of its unique heritage.
I have several friendly dogs, two Lusitano horses (the horses dont live at my house) and work sometimes as an equestrian writer and 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 used amount to to about 80% of messages I got until I added that note)
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
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I feel competent to impart my knowledge of ... gardening, Horse training, Cookery (see my feedback), The British sense of humour. Spurious advice gleaned from six decades on the planet.
Help
Focus is on getting the garden straight befor the growing season takes off.
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. Please state your food preferences or aversions prior to arrival or anything else that might be an issue for you.
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.
What else ...
There are country walks and hiking, bars, cafes, restaurants, shops, post office, bank, chemist, hairdressers and more in our small town. There is a small grocery shop bar/cafe about 100 metres from home. The main shops area is about 1km away. 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. I'm sure there are local bus services but you'd have to Google them.
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 occasionally 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.
Smokers outside the house are ok, but bear in mind any fires are strictly prohibited during the at risk drought season and anyone starting one potentially faces jail time.
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.
Having spent my life as an Agnostic shift worker and in animal care I do not give weekends or public/religious holidays any priority. Your work week will start the day after you arrive and after 5 days have 2 off. If you are intent on having weekends off arrive on a Sunday afternoon.
I'm not even sure why I have to say this but apparently I must... If two of you come both need to work.
If you arrange to stay for 2 weeks unless. We have a major disagreement I expect you to stay for 2 weeks. I have put off other people who wanted to come so it is a slight on both them and me to leave without notice after a few days.
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 IF YOU GET UP EARLY ENOUGH TO WORK 5 HOURS IN THE MORNING.
Feedback (30)
I worked in the mornings, doing different gardening tasks then had the afternoons and evenings to myself when I would walk around exploring the… read more
I did mostly gardening job (when it wasn't raining). It was nice to have conversations with Janet and the other worker there. It was nice to meet Janet!
And the food was very good!
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(4.9)
I worked in the mornings, doing different gardening tasks then had the afternoons and evenings to myself when I would walk around exploring the… read more
I did mostly gardening job (when it wasn't raining). It was nice to have conversations with Janet and the other worker there. It was nice to meet Janet!
And the food was very good!
We mostly helped her clean up and organize the yard and buildings around her house, as well as build some raised beds to grow veggies in the spring. She didn't… read more
Janet is a kind wise woman. Even at times, she can be funny ;) Looking back, I feel like I have learned allot! Janet has hosted many times workaway people and has a very good understanding of the… read more
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
