We are starting our work planning for 2012 and we hope that you'll join the ever growing list of wonderful volunteers that we've had the pleasure of meeting over the last 6years.

Some of the main projects for this year are:

Building a greenhouse using the sad and very big pile of plastic bottles that we have accumulated - I have a wonderful design that integrates an irrigation system
clearing a new piece of land - eliminating a horrible creeper, pruning and clearing excess saplings and doing a tree survey
finishing off the barn - its been renovated using natural materials - mud bricks, clay plaster, a brick floor
building a new shower block using recycled materials and incorporating a water system that utilises our well and irrigates the garden and uses the sun
making a sauna - we cut the trees (mulberry) for this last year - this work is planned for September
raking our new field, putting in an irrigation system, planting loads of stuff and looking after it
making the garden that used to be a very big field, into a beautiful space for people to camp and enjoy
plus the daily stuff involved in keeping this whole place together

General info:

Come and experience a wonderfully different life in a small village in Bulgaria. I have the pleasure of taking care of a lovely piece of land which I am slowly turning into a beautiful garden. I also grow loads of vegetables - all the usual gardening jobs- and I have more fruit trees that I can handle so if you want to help me pick apricots/cherries/plums/apples/pears/peaches and walnuts and make jam, juices and chutnies, please get in touch. There are also loads of other jobs to do eg pruning the vines, weeding, looking after the veg and the trees, making fences, painting...just about everything that needs to be done around a big and very basic piece of land.

The deal is that you work 30hours a week and I provide food and accommodation.

You dont need any experience to be here just a load of common sense, a willingness to get up early (its very hot in the summer), break sweat a bit out in the field and then sit around in the garden and eat my great food. check out my website link above for all the info on volunteering here - you might also want to read my winter blog - see what this place is all about and if you think its for you, get in touch when you know what dates you'll be available. I only have one request - please be reliable! Only book a place if you are 100% going to turn up. It rarely happens that people let me down but when they do, its a real hassle. Along with that, when you contact me, please be clear if its just a general enquiry and you haven't actually made a decision - I usually reply immediately to requests so if you really want to be here, give me dates in your first email.

Be warned - 9 of my volunteers have already bought houses here and another 5 are plotting and saving to move here - they loved it so much - this is a great place to get a new experience of traditional rural life - the people are lovely, the climate is wonderful, the food is great and we make our own alcohol -look forward to hearing from you.
kathy

Europe

About 6 years ago, my daughter Elly bought this property in Voditsa and I agreed to live in it and look after it for a few years. I began with a plan to open an ethically run campsite and hostel but now I'm a lot more realistic about my life, my energy and the space that I want to live in. If someone turns up and wants to camp in my lovely field, then that would probably be OK but I have decided to focus my energy on sharing this space for specific events. I guess this is a secret campsite.

I have had loads of visitors, guests and volunteers who have supported me, helped me, made me laugh, enjoyed my food, cooked for me and helped me to get my life together here. You are welcome to come and join us. I am slowly turning 2500 square metres of land that used to be a field, into a beautiful garden. I try to do all sorts of building related things and wonder why I never learned these important skills before. But slowly its getting there. I am happy to say that I have introduced a number of new people to this village and that can only help as small villages gradually get smaller. I used to be a Community Development Consultant and I'm also trying to share some of my experience with the people in Voditsa to help them make the most of their experience as a developing EU country.

Its fun and endlessly interesting here - the weather covers a range from -25 to + 45 and that has been challenging and fun too. Come and volunteer with me or just call by if you're passing. I need help all year except December and January when there is a metre of snow and we hibernate.

Volunteers do all sorts of different things - working in the garden, watering, clearing and reclaiming the land, building work using local traditional methods, making jams and chutnies, cooking, chopping wood...whatever needs doing. All you need to be here is initiative, energy and an interest in exploring life in traditional Bulgarian village.

kathy

English and very basic Bulgarian

I have a nice room that can accomodate two or maybe three people plus you can camp in the lovely field. all facilties are very basic.

I have a website and a blog which will give you lots more information and I prefer that you read it, at least some of it, before deciding if this is for you. Contact me for details.