Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
28 May 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 4 days
Feedback
25
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Badges (2)
Details
Description
We are a couple with two daugthers, trying to establish a sustainable farm, based on permaculture and natural agriculture principles, in a 12 acres farm we have in Cantabria, in the north of Spain.
I'm a 54 years old business consultant, though I spend most of my time working in the farm (@5 days a week). My wife, 50, has also a management background and works in a factory near Bilbao, where she stays 4 to 5 days a week, spending the weekend, along with our daugthers, in the farm.
We are both fluent in Spanish and English and she also speaks German.
We bought the farm 15 years ago, completely refurbished the house and are now working on designing and building the infrastructure (barns, chicken coops, green houses, fences, well, swales, ponds, tanks, terraces, raise beds...) and planting trees, shrubs and herbs to create a forest garden and sustainable farm.
We had little previous experience on farming or manual works, but are reading a lot on the subjects and are not scared of learning by doing (though we would really appreciate some help from someone with hands on experience on those areas).
We have four cats, two dogs, beehives, hens, ducks, geese, turkeys, five ponies and expanding...
The house is in a quiet place in the mountains, 1,2 km. from a small village and 18 km. from the coast (Laredo beach).
There are many nice places around for sightseeing, with gorgeous mountains, caves and beautiful beaches. You can relax around the place, or borrow our mountain bicycles to move around.
We think this can be a wonderful place for a couple interested in permaculture and/or willing to enjoy some quiet time in contact with nature, as well as an excellent base camp to explore the north of Spain.
The place can be lonely for some volunteers, as there is rarely more than one person/couple volunteering, and the host is not particularly extroverted.Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceCultural exchange and learning opportunities
They can learn about permaculture and other sustainable agricultural practices, better understand life and culture in the north of Spain and raise their awareness on the global systemic crisis we are facing globally.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We expect you to work @ 5 hours/day, 5 days/week, keep your area clean and neat, and share cooking/clean up tasks. The work is physical and rather tough. This would include diverse tasks involving light construction, gardening and farming. All land is in a steep slope, so just moving around can be tiring for some people.
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: FluentAccommodation
Accomodation is in an old caravan (in fair condition), located in a lovely spot within our land, @ 150 m. from the house, with an outdoor shower and compost toilet beside. There is no electricity nor wifi in the caravan, though you may charge your gear and have internet connection at the house.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
The approach road is in a steep slope, all concreted or tarred, but quite wasted at the beginning, so it is rather slippery when wet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (17)
We were able to help out with creating… read more
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.8)
Cultural exchange:
(3.8)
Communication:
(4.0)
We were able to help out with creating… read more
Both a responsible, respectful and work on their own following the guidelines given.
We had a very nice time with them, sharing experiences and ways to… read more
It was great that we could plan our days based on our wishes and needs. We helped with various projects and worked quite autonomously.
The food was delicious and both the dogs and the children were fun to be around with.
We can highly recommend this workaway… read more
There’s lots to do on the farm. The work is often independent so means a lot of autonomous working with some advice from Mario.… read more
It was great to be outside everyday on the farm overlooking the village and valley below, and across from the mountains which changed appearance daily with the differences in light, mist and cloud.… read more
Nos ayudaron un montón con diversas tareas de la casa y de la huerta, y a nivel personal disfrutamos de muy agradables charlas con ambos.
Muy… read more
Their farming experience was highly valuable and we could learnt about several interesting topics. They are both nice and friendly, very sweet with… read more
They help well independently, are rather proactive and our little daughters were delighted with them.
Highly recommendable to other hosts.
Excellent accommodation, meditative work, diversity of tasks, astonishing view over the valley, intelligent and generous hosts, lovely neighbours...
Thank you Mario and Izaskun for the profound experince!
Hugs and kisses to Maya and Vera!!!
El lugar es un sueño, rodeado de montañas y naturaleza y el trabajo lo hemos disfrutado mucho.
En los días libres se pueden recorrer pueblitos muy pintorescos alrededor o simplemente relajarse con la impresionante vista desde la casa.
Hemos… read more
Lu was extremely nice with us, so sweet and attentive with our 2 years old daughter that, several weeks after they left, she is still asking for her friend “lulu”. Mark is a quiet, serene and thoughtful man with a very interesting… read more
i fell in love with the place, the work, the family and their "tiny" dog as big as a horse!
it is a beautiful quiet place, you will be surrounded by mountains, tranquility and loving hosts!!
they where super flexible with the working hours, we were mostly… read more
The work we did was… read more
Both were nice, lovely with our daughter,and really hard workers. We had a very good time with them and they helped a lot with the tasks.