Salir Do Porto Silver Coast Portugal Medium Term Housesit & Petsit

Sit Dates Aug-4-24 - Sep-3-24 Sitter ActiveAunty, Member Since May-22-23

Petru kindly collected me from Caldas and drove me home where I thoroughly enjoyed my month at AloLand. I was welcomed by Inês, introduced to their family and treated to a delicious lunch al fresco. Over the first 3 days days before they left for their holiday, I  learned  from Petru about the property and animal care needed.

My one-bedroom apartment was pleasant, clean and convenient, complete with terrace and hammock.  A bicycle and helmet gave access to beaches, towns and supermarkets. Good Life!

My responsibilities were manageable and straightforward after initial instruction and note-taking needed to manage birds and irrigation systems.  Petru was always available by WhatsApp to support and talk me through  problem solving interventions needed. Ducks and geese for company, plus a family of wild cats and neighbours' goats, hens and dogs.

I learned about permaculture, vegetable gardening here and lots about managing ducks and geese. The garden is an especially peaceful place, with  well established native plants, insects, frogs, lizards and a ladder snake in the garden; its silence puctuated by the regular train service to Sao Martinho and Caldas. Some spectacular nights with starry skiess thanks to the low light pollution.

Apart from the routine feeding and water bath care,  I enjoyed walking about to gather thistles for the younger ducks. These treats met with  wild duck dancing and happy noises. Muscovy ducks are a placid, chilled out breed who do not quack. The gang of Khaki ducks were different. This gang of delightful animals seemed Hellbent on escape; either excavating banks of their pond or pushing under their electrified fences. Interesting challenges to persuade them back to join their friends, but at least they did not wander far - a case of grass being greener on the other side. Once into fresh pastures, they enjoyed the feast until rounded up and returned home.   

Flat countryside, I loved cycling to Sao Martinho Bay to the town, the cliffs, with a tunnel leading to the Atlantic. . The beach at the mouth of the Ria Tornada was a perfect swimming spot.  The house adjoins Salir do Porto train station which offered opportunities to visit Cadas da Raihna, just 10 km away.

My final trip from the train station next door to AloLand back to Caldas da Rainha for my homeward last coach ride to Lisbon Airport was a sad one. I shall miss that my time spent with those birds in a fabulous location. Many thanks to Petru and Inês for making all this possible. I appreciated the comforts provided, oppotunities presented and support given during my month on AloLand.