Hello there. I'm new on this forum, and of course have an ulterior motive for posting here; human nature being what it is:

I've been in Carvoeiro since early October. I'm working on one of my own projects and often spend the winter in places like the Algarve, because you get peace and quiet and sunshine, etc (I live in south west France, where at this time of year the temperature can drop to fifteen below and metallic objects start dropping off monkeys).

I planned to return to France in the spring. However, what with the slings and arrows, and all that, my car blew-up back in November. Major stuff which turned into the Portuguese equivalent of a French farce and dragged on for months. The engine was taken out and put back in three times before I had a working vehicle again. It's cost me mega $$$ and has severely dented my budget; ain't life a bitch.

We now reach the purpose of ths post: I need to find some stopgap employment to replenish my bank account, otherwise I'll have to put on my snow shoes and head back to France in February. From what I can see there's not much gainful employment to be had in Carvoeiro at this time of year, and I was wondering if anyone here might have some suggestions for work? Any ideas will be much appreciated.

Oh, and I suppose I should do a bit of CVing: I'm highly experienced with AutoCad, construction and mechanical services, layout drawings or fully detailed manufacturing drawings, site surveys, etc. I also do web site stuff, not just the techy bits but also the business side of things. I'm strong and fit and have experience of building work (concreting, plasterboarding, and all that lovely stuff). I can also dig ditches.

Basically I can/will do anything to earn some dosh, except perhaps brain surgery. Although I might have a go at that too, if I can find some volunteers.

My e-mail address is: budapest@islandhosting.com

Pigs might not be able to fly, yet it appears that they do now glow in the dark...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-p ... 605202.stm

Welcome Budapest!
Are you registered yet? Only thought I saw you as a new member?
If so, you can put your post on the Job search/offers forum on here..
Good luck with your search for work!
ellie

Hello, ellie. Thanks for your reply.

Yes, I did register as a member, but I still haven't been sent the e-mail thingy that is used for confirmation. Hence, Budapest_02.

As for the job search/offers forum, apart from the fact that I'm not registered yet, judging by the activity in that forum, posting there would appear to be the kiss of death.

Besides, the title and tone of my first post should indicate that the job stuff is not being taken too seriously, since it seems that you've got more chance of finding work in Antartica than in Carvoeiro during the winter.

Are there any penguins on the Algarve?

The only penguins I saw there,were the ones you eat
Only a suggestion..but have you tried advertising in local papers 'The News' or 'The Resident'?
I've advertised for garden work in the past, and had quite a few replies!
You say you're good at digging and are fit, its possible someone / elderly or infirm, may need some heavy work done?
Just a thought..boa sorte
ellie

Advertising; yes, good idea. Grazie, grazie, grazie.

They eat penguins here! (grilled or roasted?) Maybe I can set up a stand selling penguin burgers.

A kind of McWaddles.

de nada de nada de nada
At least you sound very enterprising BP..though I was referring to the chocolate ones
ellie

I didn't know penguins existed in the tropics and subtropics.

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars - Oscar Wilde

Neither did I Buda!
Another 'Oscar' fan I see? Brilliant man..and I like your quote
'I'm not young enough to know everything'..another good one?

Whoops! I see you're a longtime poster here, Ellie, and here's me, a total unknown, breezing into the forum and perhaps being a bit brash (although I am genuinely looking for work).

And I shall remain unknown; but those who are acquainted with me know that I've always been a big Oscar fan.

As a poet myself, I don't rate Oscar Wilde that much when it comes to poetry, His genious, of course, was his wit, and in particular the skill he had at applying it to this thing we call 'life' (through his plays and quotes).

I'm not young enough to know everything

... being a case in point.

Oscar was also a bit of an egomaniac, as many creative people are. This is one of my favourites of his, because it was just so spontaneous and completely sums-up the man:

I have nothing to declare except my genius.
(at New York customs)

Id say bold rather than brash..
nothing wrong in that, and I'd say you need to be in this world of ours
Agree with your remarks about Oscar..you can just imagine the faces of those at the U.S customs with that statement! Theres no answer is there? ..
Must be wonderful to simply come out with fab. lines like that !
So, we have a poet in our midst do we? Have you been published or is it just a hobby? A very nice one..and something I've never had a go at
My favourites are Blake, Keats, Browning and I love the works of Geoffrey Chaucer..
I have a feeling you will get the work you're after, as you have spirit as well as enthusiasm
Im off now to demolish some good old fish & chips (and maybe a small Guinness )
catch you later
ellie