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Gardening, food growing and a natural cob building project using mud bricks and recycled materials in Cherven, Bulgaria

  • Favourited 509 times
  • Last activity: 24 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: 1 week or less

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Work continues on a project to turn an existing balcony into an indoor winter garden space. I am also planning to part enclose another open fronted roofed area which is currently used for storage and as a workshop. I am using a traditional natural building method in Bulgaria of infilling a wooden framework with old recycled mud and straw bricks ( known as karpitch ) on both these projects. These will then be covered with a mud/clay plaster. I have been collecting old wooden doors and windows to use on these projects and am currently cleaning them up to be ready for repainting.

    Other ongoing work includes preparing the ground for vegetable growing, sowing, planting, weeding and other land management tasks

    My name is Carol and I am originally from Scotland. In 2006 I came to Cherven for a short holiday and left 6 days later having put a deposit down to buy the old abandoned property on the outskirts of the village. Cherven is situated in the Rusenski Lom Natural Park and is 40 kilometers south west of Ruse. Within 2 years I had given up my old life of working 9-5 and reinvented myself as a "quasi peasant" . I grow a lot of vegetables ( organically ), keep chickens and rabbits, have a dog and cats.

    I enjoy having working guests come to stay and to share this beautiful spot with magnificent views.

    There is always plenty to do including for example, clearing land, weeding, planting, harvesting, making compost, basic building, including working with mud and straw ( cob building ).

    There are always lots of ongoing projects which are often weather dependent and whether you have the skills or not to help take them forward.

    There are guest bedrooms in the upstairs part of my house, which is now a 100 years old and was built with mud and straw bricks. This part of the property has its own access, a kitchen and toilet/ showering facilities. Good wholesome food is provided. There is excellent wifi access.

    I am particularly interested in people who enjoy land work and gardening and/or who have basic building trade skills but have generally found that everyone has something to contribute.

    I am flexible in terms of tasks and time input and we can agree what would work for both of us.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Opportunity to experience life in a rural Bulgarian village. Develop skills in food growing, sustainable living, building with natural materials.

  • Help

    Help

    Gardening/ land help, basic building, DIY and renovation

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    Bulgarian: Intermediate
    German: Beginner
    French: Beginner

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    I have two guest bedrooms in the upstairs part of my house which has its own access, a functioning kitchen and a toilet/ shower room. There is also a self contained property which is a 10 minute walk from where I live which is sometimes available.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Cherven is situated in the Russenski Lom Natural Park and is well known in Bulgaria for its medieval ruins, caves and rock churches. There are lovely walks in and around the village. There is a post office, a library and a small general convenience store. There is also a lovely outside cafe/bar by the river at the foot of the medieval attraction which is not generally open in the winter months, but a great place to hang out the rest of the year.

    The nearest ATM accessible by public transport is in Ruse: our nearest city ( 40 kms to the north east ). Ruse is also the only place you can get public transport to Cherven. There are two buses on weekdays to and from Ruse and one on a Saturday and Sunday. Ruse, situated next to the Danube river and the border with Romania, has a very large and beautiful central square area which is known as "Little Vienna", because of its layout and architecture. A great place to hang out on days off people watching from the numerous pavement cafes.

    It is also possible to take a trip to Bucharest from Ruse on the Bosphor Express ( a slow train which runs daily between Bucharest and Istanbul ). Bucharest is 60kms from Ruse and there are also direct buses from the airport or the centre to Ruse which can be booked online.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    I have a very good internet connection

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    This host can provide space for campervans.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    5 hours a day / 5 days a week

Host ref number: 000000000254

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Accuracy of profile: (4.9)

Cultural exchange: (4.8)

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