Join the country life on a private horse farm close to Oslo, Norway

Details

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  Description

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  UPDATE: As it looks now, we will have space for 1 or 2 persons (2 persons only if they can share a room) during April and the beginning of May. Maybe also longer. We are mainly looking for experienced horse riders :).
  
  (If you write to us, please be patient - we don't always manage to keep up with all our emails!)
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  It's winter in Norway - and on our farm. But on a farm, there is always work, even in winter. And the opportunity for Workawayers to join our international family on a private horsefarm near Oslo.
  
  We are not 'producing' anything for sale/not a business - the fields and woods are only used for our horses.
  
  Our family of 4 (with 2 daughters, 20 and 14) lives in a large new farmhouse. We have cats and a dog, and of course horses and ponies. Don't expect a traditional riding stable: our horses live outside year-round, they don't use shoes, and we have a very specific way of riding and training them ('classical').
  
  
  WE ARE SPECIFICALLY LOOKING FOR:
  
  1. WORKAWAYERS THAT CAN HELP WITH 'ODD JOBS' AROUND THE FARM.
  Some building/carpentry tasks (floors and walls in the barn), painting (buildings and furniture), gardening, stable cleaning, taking trees out of the woods, stacking fire wood, helping to bring farm garbage to our local disposal center, checking and repairing fences, helping clear out the barn, and so on. This is often help that is physically heavy. And you might get dirty and sweaty :).
  
  2. WORKAWAYERS THAT HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE WITH HORSES - PREFERABLY GOOD RIDERS.
  This does not mean only riders who have done competitions ;). But riders who can groom, saddle and ride independently.
  We have some nice horses to ride, at different levels and sizes. And we do give lessons and training. For people who know the basics this is a great opportunity to learn more about the finer details of riding and training horses.
  
  ALL WORKAWAYERS are expected to lend a hand with the 'daily running' of the farm. This is mainly feeding and watering the horses, watering our vegetable garden, mowing the lawn and such. It can also be doing the dishes, cleaning the kitchen, vacuum cleaning and other house tasks.
  
  A lot of the help on a farm is physical tasks. It helps if you are reasonably fit.
  And it's not always easy to predict how many hours ofhelp there will be. For example: because of the weather, suddenly the work plan for the day is changed. Which means either a day off, or more hours than planned.
  
  This is a private farm - which means that we also have other jobs :). And sometimes the weather is too bad to do anything but the most necessary help outside.
  Therefore, it's good if you are flexible, fairly independent and can keep yourself entertained on the days where we cannot help outside. There will also be days that we are not at home or busy with other things.
  Of course, we are also flexible to make sure our Workawayers can travel, visit Oslo, go hiking and so on.
  
  
  .... WE LOVE....
  * People who have a good work ethic (meaning, also do the tasks - and do it well - when nobody is looking over their shoulder).
  * People who can help independently - see above - and who 'see' what needs to be done.
  * People who realise that even 'dumb jobs' often require some thinking.
  * People who don't mind getting dirty and sweaty, insects, rain and mud - sometimes all in the same day :).
  * People who are flexible (we are flexible, too, to make sure our Workawayers can travel, visit Oslo, go to the beach, go shopping and so on).
  * People who are careful with our house, furniture, tools etcetera.
  * People who are friendly and respectful to other people, and who like animals :).
  
  
  We have space for 1 to 3 Workawayers, depending on the month/week. And if they can share a room or not.
  
  A nice room, friendly and flexible hosts, good food, country-style living, fresh air, beautiful countryside - a great opportunity to experience life on a farm in Norway.
  Do get in touch if this sounds interesting :)!
  
  
  NOTE: We consider ourselves flexitarians - we sometimes eat vegetarian, sometimes meat, sometimes fish. But we are most likely NOT a good match for vegetarians or vegans.
  
  NOTE: As you can read/see, we have a dog, several cats, and several horses. And we live on a farm. Meaning this probably also is NOT a good match for people with allergies!!
  
  NOTE: We strongly prefer non-smokers (even if you 'only' smoke outside, the smoke residue will still be in your clothes, luggage etc. - and therefore also end up in our guest room....)

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Our aim is to create a place where horses thrive and their natural needs are met. Our horses live outside in groups and do not use iron shoes.
  I am a certified riding instructor, with an interest in classical dressage and horsemanship.
  I am also a certified natural hoof care specialist with 20 years of experience, and give courses in this, too.
  
  We are an international family - Norwegian, Dutch and American. We also speak German, Swedish and a bit of French and Spanish.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  Although this is an older farm, it only has been in use as a horse farm for the last 10 years. We are not 'producing' anything for sale/not a business - the fields and woods are only used for our horses.
  
  We would love some help with the things we do around the house and the farm. Just like in every family, there are always chores to be done :). For example, some help with cooking, shopping, picking up the kids, taking the dog for a walk, and so on.
  
  Of course there is the daily animal care (feeding and watering the horses). If you have enough experience, it's possible to help with riding and training the horses.
  
  And, like on every farm, there are always some odd jobs to do. Check a fence, repair some planks in the barn, paint something, cut the grass, help plant some flowers, help drive the garbage away, and so on.
  
  We will provide three meals a day, with a focus on food that is healthy (most of the time!), tasty and usually home-cooked. Sometimes even cooked on our woodstove! Dinner is usually a shared family meal.
  
  NOTE: We consider ourselves flexitarians - we sometimes eat vegetarian, sometimes meat, sometimes fish. But we are most likely NOT a good match for vegetarians or vegans.
  
  NOTE: As you can read/see, we have a dog, several cats, and several horses. And we live on a farm. Meaning this probably also is NOT a good match for people with allergies!!
  
  NOTE: We strongly prefer non-smokers (even if you 'only' smoke outside, the smoke residue will still be in your clothes, luggage etc. - and therefore also end up in our guest room....)
  
  Feel free to send us a message if you have any questions, or if you would like more information.

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  Languages spoken

  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  Dutch: Fluent
  Norwegian nynorsk: Fluent
  Spanish: Beginner
  French: Beginner
  Swedish: Beginner

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  Accommodation

  Our farmhouse is large and very new. We have a very nice guest room with a comfortable double bed. The large and pretty bathroom will be shared with our daughters (when they are home). Our guest room has its own porch area with a dining table, a rocking chair and also a fridge.
  
  If you prefer to 'camp outside', you can find a nice place to set up a tent. (Do you dare to use the outside toilet ;)....?)
  Are you traveling in a motor home, or with a caravan? We have plenty of parking space.
  
  We also have a small separate building ('stabbur') with sleeping facility.

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  What else ...

  this is located in Ostfold. This region goes from the border with Sweden almost up to Oslo. The landscape is mostly gently rolling hills, with many farms and woodland areas.
  We are not far from the coast (Oslofjord) and there are many beaches and small coast towns to visit.
  The train station is about 10 minutes away, with a direct connection to Oslo.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  The Farm has a good Internet connection. Our main guest room has a working space which is suitable for computer work. It's usually also possible to find a place in our living room :). Note: We live on the country side... so there is always a possibility that 'something happens'. Such as a tree destroying the internet connection in a storm. Usually it's fixed quickly, but we cannot absolutely guarantee 100% Internet, 100% of the time, all over the farm ;).

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  Space for parking camper vans

  There is enough space on our farm for a campervan(s) or motorhome(s). It's even possible to pitch a tent or two :).

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  Can possibly accept pets

  We have a smaller dog (Welsh terrier) who is very friendly with other dogs. We also have a medium-sized dog park (fenced-in) on our farm. We are open to accepting visitors with a dog, as long as it is well-behaved and not aggressive - and the owner cleans up after it. Since we have cats, we do not accept visiting dogs that will chase cats. NOTE: Norway is NOT a member of the European Union. That means that there are very strict rules for importing animals to Norway. Please consider this if you are considering bringing a dog, for example. You might have to start many months beforehand with vaccinations etc. NOTE: Also, please be aware that there are several months each year where it's not allowed to have your dog off the leash in Norway! Not even on a farm - and especially not in any kind of natural environment. This is to protect the wildlife.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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