Contribute to restoring a garden while exploring Trapani, Sicily

Details

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  Description

  My name is Adam. After living in London for many years I decided to transfer my life to Sicily. I love the Mediterranean and wanted to be closer to nature and live by the sea. So in 2018 I bought an historic villa in need of restoration in a town near Trapani called Valderice. There are many beautiful houses in Italy, but there is nowhere else I would rather live!
  Work on the main house is nearing completion and I am now turning my attention to the garden. It’s a walled garden overlooking the sea in the centre of the town, but it has been neglected for over 30 years and I would like some help in starting the long journey of bringing the garden back to its former beauty.
  I have two children who love coming here to escape their busy lives in London. When they aren’t here I live on my own, but I have a huge circle of friends in Sicily and live a very busy social life.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  West Sicily is one of the most fascinating places on the planet. It’s where the Phoenicians built some of the first salt pans in the Mediterranean. Salt being the prerequisite for commerce around the Mediterranean you could say that, in a real sense, this is the place where Western civilisation began. After the Phoenicians came the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Habsburgs, Bourbons, even the British, and each have left their mark on our history and culture. Any visit to Trapani is a rich cultural experience.
  My decision to take on this ambitious project has been welcomed by my new neighbours and has opened many doors. So I am now well connected in the local community and can offer unique insights into Sicilian life.
  I am equally happy conversing in English, Italian, Spanish, French or German. Anyone wishing to improve their skills in any of these languages would have the opportunity to do so.

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  Help

  I’m looking for somebody who is generally interested in restoring an historic garden. The tasks will include clearing timber, tidying, weeding, laying new paths, pruning, planting and probably lots of other jobs I haven’t thought of. There may be some scope to get involved in basic construction i.e. building a wall or creating a path, but experience in this type of help is not essential. Enthusiasm and a love of nature are more important than skills.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent
  French: Fluent
  Italian: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  Accommodation would be in a double bedroom with bathroom, either ensuite or shared. Workawayers can therefore have their own privacy, but would also have free access to other parts of the building including kitchen, dining and living rooms and outside terraces.
  The accommodation has been refurbished to a very high standard and the Villa has seven bedrooms, so it will be possible to accommodate at least two Workawayers as at any given time.
  In addition to breakfast and a light lunch I would offer one cooked meal a day Monday to Friday ie five meals a week.

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  What else ...

  Local sites include Erice, Segesta, Trapani, Marsala, the salt pans, the island of Mozia, Monte Cofano National Park, Zingaro National Park and Castellammare. We are a short distance, about 15 mins by e-bike, from the sea where swimming is possible right through to December. There is a regular bus service to Trapani. For local travel in Valderice I would make one of my e-bikes available, subject to a basic road safety test.

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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

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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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