We went to see Polly, Christian and their girls Lily and Maya, when we first got back from our trip up the “outback” to get the lowdown on what needs doing when they are away.

Essentially we are looking after Nikita (cat), Sula (dog), 3 sheep, 7 chicken and an avocado tree – don’t think any of them have names.

I’m sure Polly won’t mind me saying their place is very rustic.  No mains electric, water piped in from the village a mile+ away and an outside composting toilet.  Facilities not unlike Gleda just with a bit of land and the animals.  The house is made from the traditional mud & brick and Polly has advised us to shut it up in the daytime, to keep the heat from getting in, then open it up at night.

Polly and Christian also have a villa for rent in the village which is the direct opposite.  Full of all the mod cons and very upmarket.  You can see the details here on airbnb.

Terrace at Villa to Rent
Polly’s Place see link Airbnb

We are looking forward to sitting and adding to our Guadiana experience.  Neil is unsure about sleeping on land not having slept off Gleda for over 2 years.

I asked Polly if foxes bother the chickens. Apparently not, more likely to be a neighbours dog or a mongoose.  Mongoose?  What the chuff is a mongoose?   Will have to look up a picture.  I know they eat snakes, so that’s a good thing. **  This is in addition to the wild boar that sometimes gets in from time to time.  I know I spent a lot of time in the country as a child but it was a long time ago.  Hope I’ll be OK with the dark and the inevitable creepy crawlies.  It will be really dark too as you can’t see the towns from the finca.

** looked up a mongoose.  Hope I don’t meet one, can’t say it is very attractive.  Thought it would be more like a meerkat.

Mongoose