About this assignment

 

We think our beautiful home is best suited to a couple ..... 

Naturally kind and resourceful individuals,  who are practical, take initiative and love animals. Knowledge of animal health in horses, dogs and cats would be essential.

Lovers of peace and quiet, nature and what it means to live in the country

Understanding some Spanish is a big advantage but not essential

Be team players and good communicators with us, our neighbours and friends

They should enjoy their own company and that of their partner

Enjoy dealing with the day-to-day challenges of a small farm

Bring their own car/4x4 that can cope with a track and enjoy the adventure!

 

What responsibilities are required of the house sitter

 


Two horses, four lovely dogs and paddy the farm cat. This primarily means looking after them as if they are your own, feeding, care, exercise and calling in help if needed.

Watering the small garden and some trees. Some strimming and basic gardening (you are welcome to play with planting and use initiative

Dealing with the practical issues of campo life such as water flow, clean solar panels, fixing things, changing gas bottles and if something occurs dealing with it yourselves or bringing in help as needed

Keep the house together and in a “satisfactory”; but not pristine condition (this is the campo)

To have care and concern for your neighbours. While they are not close; everyone "mucks in" and helps one another when needed. 


 

What are the good features of the property and location

 

Imagine travelling 6km up a good dirt track into the foothills of the Sierra Nevada mountains in southern Spain and then dropping down into an oasis of nature, terracing, running water and beauty – this is Los Plumas.

The old cortijo is reformed and is on two levels, with stunning sun terraces on each. It has panoramic views down to the rambler (stream) below and the hillside and mountains across. The farms terraces are packed with olive, almond, grape, plum, orange, pear, fig and many other types of trees. Our stunning Andalusian horses wander these, enjoying the grass that lies beneath them.

Don't imagine it, come and live it!

 


Warm sunny weather with a mountain breeze

Incredible tranquil oasis in the foothills (650m) of the Sierra Nevada mountains. With amazing views, very private, running water and nature all around

Every day the wildlife will amaze you from butterflies to eagles, from badgers to wild boar, from owls to fox and seeing the traditional lives of wandering pastor in the mountains opposite with their goats, sheep and dogs

Live completely off-grid; but see how easy and practical it is to use solar, spring water, WiFi Internet, mobile.

Incredible riding and walking on some of the major routes in Spain (such GR7)

Excellent and fun locals of every nationality from Spanish, French, English and Czech. This is not like the coast and you are right in the middle of Spanish rural life with its white mountain villages and culture.

Help at hand with network of friends knowledgeable on life and animals in the campo.

Shopping, cafes, restaurants are 25-40mins away in Cadiar and Orgiva. Castaras village is 10mins away.

You can speak to previous housesitters..


 

 

 

What does the house sitter need to consider before applying for this assignment

 


We live 4-6km off tarmac across a river with good dirt tracks but it is a stunning location because of this

Caring for animals who are use to a natural and free existence (but are all reasonably obedient)

Must be able to adapt to living in the campo in hot weather (40+ degrees) with its siesta’s and working in the morning and evenings

The horses are kept in during very hot weather (end June – mid-August). We have protected field shelter and stables according to the situation.

No landline telephone, though reception for Vodafone is good and of course Skype over internet

Property is at end of a long track and has terracing so a reasonable level of fitness is needed (or you will get fit quickly!)

You need to be able to cope (or learn) about the practical items on a farm such as back-up power generators, solar maintenance, strimmers, chainsaws, irrigation tubing,water supplies etc

As we are at end of track people don’t pop in, so you need to be good at making contact. You are most welcome to invite locals over and have guests to stay.

Because you are caring for animals it isn’t possible to go away overnight or longer than 8hrs without organising for cover/checking from our friends and communicating with us as to your plans.