Profile information
Host is looking for help immediately
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
24 Apr 2024
Reply rate
94.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
43
Facebook verified
ID verified
Email verified
Badges (4)
Details
Description
In 2017 I decided to leave my old career in the restaurant industry and moved back to the farm I grew up on.
Here I spend most of my time working in the forest, logging and thinning in the winter and planting cultivating in the summer.
The summer is also spent maintaining the network of forest roads and building new ones in preparation for upcoming seasons.
The farm is in Hillestad, 50 minutes from Oslo and 15 minutes from Holmestrand, a small city by the Oslofjord.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You'll be able to learn forestry and work techniques and skills related to my work.
My family is fairly active politically ranging from conservative and liberal to pretty far left.
I'm a trained chef and often cook traditional Norwegian meals.
If you want to learn or improve your ropes behind a bar I built myself a full bar upstairs where I'll happily share my skills and experience from many years as a bartender.
Help
The main help is forestry with changing tasks following the seasons, in the spring there's a few weeks of firewood production.
As a side project I'm working on the renovation of a cabin I have up in the forest, built a new roof in 2018, hope to finish the new floor and interior this year.
Since it's a old farm there's always some painting and renovations to the buildings that should be done too.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Norwegian: Fluent
Accommodation
I share my house with my two dogs Trym and Heimdal.
I have two guest rooms on the second floor, one with a double bed and one with a single, and a guest bathroom upstairs.
All meals are included in the work exchange and dinners are often eaten with my parents that lives next door.
What else ...
Hillestad is 15 minutes from the Train station in Sande and Holmestrand with North and Southbound trains every hour, 20 minutes from Drammen and 50 minutes from Oslo.
It's 15 minutes from the Oslofjord.
Nature is close by with the forest behind the house and Hillestad lake behind the field in front of the house.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Host ref number: 124955722173
Feedback (24)
13 Apr 2024
Left by Workawayer (Andra) for host
My stay at Lars was my first work away expierence, I was there for 2½ weeks. We were in the Forest fore some days and cut some trees. On Bad Weather days we had some mechanic Stuff to do, now I know mechanic isn't my Favorite hehe. And if you dont understand anything, he will explain it in another way. You can take so much time if you need to… read more
28 Mar 2024
Left by Workawayer (Luna) for host
thank you for your welcome and your hospitality, i learned a lot with you and things that will be useful for my return to france. you were very patient with my pitiful level of english and i'm very grateful ! thank you also to your adorable parents who welcomed me at their table every evening and at the family meal. This experience has been very… read more
16 Feb 2024
Left by Workawayer (Nora & Marlene) for host
Hi!
Marlene and I had some wonderful 10 days at Lars. He took the time to teach us as much as possible about his work and country. I never would have thought I would work with a chainsaw but Lars made it possible. He is a very patient teacher but also a good person to chill with. We had cozy evening talks with eurovision, Biathlon or clarksons… read more
Marlene and I had some wonderful 10 days at Lars. He took the time to teach us as much as possible about his work and country. I never would have thought I would work with a chainsaw but Lars made it possible. He is a very patient teacher but also a good person to chill with. We had cozy evening talks with eurovision, Biathlon or clarksons… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(5.0)
13 Apr 2024
Left by Workawayer (Andra) for host
My stay at Lars was my first work away expierence, I was there for 2½ weeks. We were in the Forest fore some days and cut some trees. On Bad Weather days we had some mechanic Stuff to do, now I know mechanic isn't my Favorite hehe. And if you dont understand anything, he will explain it in another way. You can take so much time if you need to… read more
28 Mar 2024
Left by Workawayer (Luna) for host
thank you for your welcome and your hospitality, i learned a lot with you and things that will be useful for my return to france. you were very patient with my pitiful level of english and i'm very grateful ! thank you also to your adorable parents who welcomed me at their table every evening and at the family meal. This experience has been very… read more
16 Feb 2024
Left by Workawayer (Nora & Marlene) for host
Hi!
Marlene and I had some wonderful 10 days at Lars. He took the time to teach us as much as possible about his work and country. I never would have thought I would work with a chainsaw but Lars made it possible. He is a very patient teacher but also a good person to chill with. We had cozy evening talks with eurovision, Biathlon or clarksons… read more
Marlene and I had some wonderful 10 days at Lars. He took the time to teach us as much as possible about his work and country. I never would have thought I would work with a chainsaw but Lars made it possible. He is a very patient teacher but also a good person to chill with. We had cozy evening talks with eurovision, Biathlon or clarksons… read more
14 Aug 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Melissa)
Melissa helped me for two weeks, the work was mainly production and packing of firewood as well as daily maintenance on heavy machinery.
She is hardworking and always have a positive attitude.
Outside of work she is friendly and talkative.
As a bonus she's very organized, keeping her surroundings clean.
I can absolutely recommend letting her… read more
She is hardworking and always have a positive attitude.
Outside of work she is friendly and talkative.
As a bonus she's very organized, keeping her surroundings clean.
I can absolutely recommend letting her… read more
(Excellent
)
31 Mar 2023
Left by Workawayer (Katrin) for host
I was with lars for 3 weeks. It was my first host and I am very happy about it. The time in hillestad was incredibly nice. Lars is very friendly and helpful. But his parents and dogs are also nice. Especially trym:) the work in the woods was exhausting, but you can take as many breaks as you want and if you don't get something done it's not bad.… read more
11 Jan 2023
Left by Workawayer (Alina) for host
Hi Lars! Sorry for the late feedback but I got some christmas cookies inbetween ;)
Thank you so for my amazing and very spontaneous three week stay at yours! I had the best time possible and really enjoyed the work time in the forest as well as every other (christmassy) activaty. I probably still owe you some work hours. Also your and your mothers… read more
Thank you so for my amazing and very spontaneous three week stay at yours! I had the best time possible and really enjoyed the work time in the forest as well as every other (christmassy) activaty. I probably still owe you some work hours. Also your and your mothers… read more
26 Nov 2022
Left by Workawayer (Sofiia) for host
Hi Lars! I’m sorry I did not write before but I wanted to thank you for my first Workaway experience. I really liked the place, and enjoyed working and of course traveling there.
You are a very good cook, the food was sooo delicious! Also it was very interesting talking to you and I learned so much.
And your dogs are the best!
And I enjoyed the… read more
You are a very good cook, the food was sooo delicious! Also it was very interesting talking to you and I learned so much.
And your dogs are the best!
And I enjoyed the… read more
7 Aug 2022
Left by Workawayer (Alicia) for host
Due to personal reasons, I had to leave a little earlier. But the time here was very nice. Lars is a hugely enthusiastic teacher and is like a human Wikipedia. He knows references to almost everything and cooks very delicious meals. Although I knew next to nothing about logging and how to cut down branches, I got there eventually and in the end I… read more
6 Feb 2022
Left by Workawayer (Misa) for host
My stay at Lars was the best untill now, also my first workaway experience :) I worked at Lars’ farm for a week, while another workawayer was also staying at his place. Most work we did was in the forest: Lars cut the trees down and we took of thee branches with the chainsaw. The work is physical, but not too hard to learn, and (for me) not too… read more
3 Dec 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Jana)
I was lucky enough to have Janas help for almost two months.
She's a hard worker that picks up new skills easily.
The work she have helped me with have mainly been forestry, machine maintenance and building of tractor roads.
She picked up the technique with the saw quickly and are fully qualified to limb trees now.
She's probably my first choice… read more
She's a hard worker that picks up new skills easily.
The work she have helped me with have mainly been forestry, machine maintenance and building of tractor roads.
She picked up the technique with the saw quickly and are fully qualified to limb trees now.
She's probably my first choice… read more
(Excellent
)
1 Oct 2021
Left by Workawayer (Workaway member) for host
Hi Lars! Sorry I did not write before. I was trying not to melt in this sweltering Spanish weather hahaha
Thanks a lot for my first work-away experience. It was great! I enjoyed going to the forest and learn a bit of what you do every day with so much passion. It is not easy but it is funny!
The chats developed at your parents while having dinner… read more
Thanks a lot for my first work-away experience. It was great! I enjoyed going to the forest and learn a bit of what you do every day with so much passion. It is not easy but it is funny!
The chats developed at your parents while having dinner… read more
28 Jul 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Fleur)
Fleur helped me for two weeks.
She's hard working and picks up new skills easily.
Most of the work she helped with was
forestry where she was limbing trees with a chainsaw and did maintenance on the saw.
Outside of work she's a little quiet at first but is very social after the first days.
She's hard working and picks up new skills easily.
Most of the work she helped with was
forestry where she was limbing trees with a chainsaw and did maintenance on the saw.
Outside of work she's a little quiet at first but is very social after the first days.
(Excellent
)
3 Jan 2021
Left by Workawayer (Alice) for host
I had a lovely time at Lars' farm. I stayed over Christmas and New Year; Lars and his family were so welcoming. I experienced many Norwegian traditions, including Christmas biscuits and other food. Lars is very sociable and there is plenty to do in the house / around the area. It is beautiful. His dogs are also the best. The work is hard but Lars… read more
3 Jan 2021
Left by host for Workawayer (Alice)
Alice helped me for two weeks.
She is hard working and picks up new skills easily.
Her work mainly consisted of limbing trees with a chainsaw.
Outside of work she's a bubble of energy, very social and always up for activities.
She's well organized and keeps things clean around her.
She is hard working and picks up new skills easily.
Her work mainly consisted of limbing trees with a chainsaw.
Outside of work she's a bubble of energy, very social and always up for activities.
She's well organized and keeps things clean around her.
(Excellent
)
23 Dec 2020
Left by Workawayer (Lea) for host
I have spent about 2 weeks at Lars' place and had a great time.
The work was interesting and versatile.
Lars is a fantastic cook, bartender and - at least in theory - a great pool player ("I know the physics, I am just not good at aiming"). Furthermore, he has a broad knowledge, so anyone interested in forestry, hunting, dog care etc. should… read more
The work was interesting and versatile.
Lars is a fantastic cook, bartender and - at least in theory - a great pool player ("I know the physics, I am just not good at aiming"). Furthermore, he has a broad knowledge, so anyone interested in forestry, hunting, dog care etc. should… read more
29 Sep 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Stine)
Stine came through a last minute arrangement and helped me for a little over a week.
She is hardworking and picks up new skills easily.
Most of the work she did here was limbing trees with a chainsaw.
Outside of work she is social and very easy to communicate with.
If you have the opportunity to host her i give my full recommendation.
She is hardworking and picks up new skills easily.
Most of the work she did here was limbing trees with a chainsaw.
Outside of work she is social and very easy to communicate with.
If you have the opportunity to host her i give my full recommendation.
(Excellent
)
14 Mar 2020
Left by Workawayer (Weronika & Carlos) for host
I spent a week with friendly Lars and his positive full of energy dogs. We had a tasty, hot meals every day. Lars house has a wonderful view of the lake and the forest, these is a very cozy space. I felt a lot of privacy in my room with private bathroom on the floor. Lars knows a lot about what he does and talks a lot about very interesting things… read more
10 Feb 2020
Left by host for Workawayer (Weronika & Carlos)
Weronika helped me for a week through a last minute arrangement.
She have a very positive attitude, is hardworking and pick up new skills easily.
The work she helped with was production of firewood and thinning forest where she was mainly limbing and cutting logs to lenght with a chainsaw.
I absolutely recommend her for future workaway stays.
She have a very positive attitude, is hardworking and pick up new skills easily.
The work she helped with was production of firewood and thinning forest where she was mainly limbing and cutting logs to lenght with a chainsaw.
I absolutely recommend her for future workaway stays.
(Excellent
)
2 Jan 2020
Left by Workawayer (Emma) for host
I had a fantastic experience with Lars during two months. Thank you again for the calm, your generosity and the peaceful mood.
16 Dec 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Emma)
Emma helped me at the farm for about two months.
She is hard working and picks up new skills with ease.
The main tasks during her stay have been thinning forest and firewood production.
Outside of work she is very easy to get along with.
After this time she almost feels like family.
She is hard working and picks up new skills with ease.
The main tasks during her stay have been thinning forest and firewood production.
Outside of work she is very easy to get along with.
After this time she almost feels like family.
(Excellent
)
11 Nov 2019
Left by Workawayer (lillyrsnkrnz) for host
I spent two weeks on the farm last winter, sorry I'm so late writing feedback!
Lars was a great host and a really nice person overall, I had a good time! Even when I had some issues regarding the work, he gave me other tasks and we worked our way around. Really appreciated him being so easy-going, approachable and communicative. Loved the skiing,… read more
Lars was a great host and a really nice person overall, I had a good time! Even when I had some issues regarding the work, he gave me other tasks and we worked our way around. Really appreciated him being so easy-going, approachable and communicative. Loved the skiing,… read more
10 Oct 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Selma)
Selma came through a last minute agreement and helped me for two weeks.
She is hard working and eager to try new challenges, she picks up on instructions easily.
Outside of work she is social and easy to talk with.
She is a structured person who keeps it clean around her.
She is hard working and eager to try new challenges, she picks up on instructions easily.
Outside of work she is social and easy to talk with.
She is a structured person who keeps it clean around her.
(Excellent
)
30 Jul 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Alicia)
Alicia and Caroline helped me for one month.
They are both hardworking and eager to try new tasks.
Outside of work they are very stoical and easygoing.
I had a great time hosting the two of them and can absolutely recommend their assistance.
They are both hardworking and eager to try new tasks.
Outside of work they are very stoical and easygoing.
I had a great time hosting the two of them and can absolutely recommend their assistance.
(Excellent
)
11 Jul 2019
Left by Workawayer (Karin) for host
Lars is a great host and a really great guy! He hosted me on very short notice and even picked me up from the train station after coming home from a birthday party.
I only stayed a few days in his house but i enjoyed it a lot! I learned so much about working in the forest, cutting trees and how to work with different machines. Before working… read more
I only stayed a few days in his house but i enjoyed it a lot! I learned so much about working in the forest, cutting trees and how to work with different machines. Before working… read more
31 May 2019
Left by Workawayer (Sebastien) for host
I stay for one week
It was a really great experience! Short but good
Lars is really welcoming, patient, pedagogue. Always smiling and got some good joke :D
The work is difficult but at the end of the day you can feel the duty accomplished
It was my first Workaway and that encie me to continue
Thanks again for your welcoming and see u in the… read more
It was a really great experience! Short but good
Lars is really welcoming, patient, pedagogue. Always smiling and got some good joke :D
The work is difficult but at the end of the day you can feel the duty accomplished
It was my first Workaway and that encie me to continue
Thanks again for your welcoming and see u in the… read more
26 May 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Sebastien)
Sebastien helped me for one week, he's hard working and easily picks up new skills.
Most of the work he was helping me with was hauling or logs with the winch and debranching logs with chainsaw.
He's social and very easy to talk with.
Most of the work he was helping me with was hauling or logs with the winch and debranching logs with chainsaw.
He's social and very easy to talk with.
(Excellent
)
11 May 2019
Left by Workawayer (Gabriele & Andre) for host
I had a really fun week helping Lars! He is super friendly and outgoing, and very helpful- a great host. The accommodation is just perfect, be sure you will never forget that lake view :) Also the hilarious amazing dog Trim (that could easily have it's own sitcom) will put a smile on your face everyday. I've learnt so many new things while helping… read more
6 May 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Gabriele & Andre)
Gabriele helped me for one week.
She is hardworking and shows initiative.
She is a quick learner and not afraid of trying new jobs.
She helped logging timber, picking stone, painting and with some engine maintenance.
She is social and very easy to be around.
She is hardworking and shows initiative.
She is a quick learner and not afraid of trying new jobs.
She helped logging timber, picking stone, painting and with some engine maintenance.
She is social and very easy to be around.
(Excellent
)
29 Mar 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Sabrina)
Sabrina helped me for one week.
The work mainly consisted of helping logging timber in our forest.
She is hard working and eager to learn new skills.
In the house she is very organized and cleans on her own initiative.
She seems to always be happy and easy to get along with.
I give her my greatest recommendation as a workawayer and wish her all… read more
The work mainly consisted of helping logging timber in our forest.
She is hard working and eager to learn new skills.
In the house she is very organized and cleans on her own initiative.
She seems to always be happy and easy to get along with.
I give her my greatest recommendation as a workawayer and wish her all… read more
(Excellent
)
17 Feb 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Baptiste)
Baptiste helped me for about a month.
He helped renovating my house and with forestry (clearing undergrowth with brushsaw and cutting branches of logs with chainsaw).
He is independent and a hard worker that takes instructions easily.
Without doubt a great helper that I give my highest recommendations.
He helped renovating my house and with forestry (clearing undergrowth with brushsaw and cutting branches of logs with chainsaw).
He is independent and a hard worker that takes instructions easily.
Without doubt a great helper that I give my highest recommendations.
(Excellent
)
16 Dec 2018
Left by Workawayer (Baptiste) for host
Audrie and I stayed with Lars for one month, helping him with different tasks in his "new" house. Lars is a very friendly, uplifting and chatty person who loves to have people around him. The work (sanding, painting, cleaning, a little bit of forestry) was nice and Lars made sure it was adapted to our level of skill. The area is beautiful and his… read more
17 Feb 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Audrie )
Audrie helped me for a little over a month.
She is very easygoing and social.
She helped me with renovation of my house and some forestry (clearing branches with chainsaw, winching out logs and working with a brushsaw clearing smaller trees).
She takes instructions easily and can work independently.
If you want some help with a little fun… read more
She is very easygoing and social.
She helped me with renovation of my house and some forestry (clearing branches with chainsaw, winching out logs and working with a brushsaw clearing smaller trees).
She takes instructions easily and can work independently.
If you want some help with a little fun… read more
(Excellent
)
4 Feb 2019
Left by Workawayer (Nicola & Naomi ) for host
This was a great first workaway experience. Lars and his parents (and trym the dog!!!!) Were all so lovely and welcoming. The work was in the forest timber logging. I was taught all safety measures and how to use the equipment properly . The work was hard, but fun (and with the cold I was glad of it being physical work!) Defiantly recommend this… read more
4 Nov 2018
Left by Workawayer (Jamie Ann) for host
This was my first experience with workaway, and it was better than anything I could have imagined. I stayed for about a month and I had a really amazing time here!
I had the opportunity to help with a variety of tasks. The work was always adjusted to my own strength and never too hard, and I could learn and improve lots of skills. The… read more
I had the opportunity to help with a variety of tasks. The work was always adjusted to my own strength and never too hard, and I could learn and improve lots of skills. The… read more
31 Oct 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Jamie Ann)
I had the pleasure of Jamie's assistance for about a month.
She is hard working and eager to learn new things.
She assisted me in the building of a new roof on a cabin and logging timber.
Outside of work she was social (during her stay we managed to watch almost all of Monty python), helpfull in the kitchen and clean and organized.
I can give… read more
She is hard working and eager to learn new things.
She assisted me in the building of a new roof on a cabin and logging timber.
Outside of work she was social (during her stay we managed to watch almost all of Monty python), helpfull in the kitchen and clean and organized.
I can give… read more
(Excellent
)
15 Aug 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Celine)
Celine helped me for about two weeks.
She's a quick learner that tries any task without hesitation.
She helped renovating a cabin in the forest and her carpentry skills improved at an impressive rate during her stay.
She is very social and up for any activity.
I had a great time hosting her and wish her the best for the future.
She's a quick learner that tries any task without hesitation.
She helped renovating a cabin in the forest and her carpentry skills improved at an impressive rate during her stay.
She is very social and up for any activity.
I had a great time hosting her and wish her the best for the future.
(Excellent
)
29 Jul 2018
Left by Workawayer (David) for host
I had a great experience here!
Lars is a great guy. He is very welcoming, outgoing and incredibly knowledgeable about the area, the kind of guy that has something interesting to say about just about anything. It is so easy to talk to him and learn so much about local history, culture, wildlife, farming, forestry and so much more. He was also a… read more
Lars is a great guy. He is very welcoming, outgoing and incredibly knowledgeable about the area, the kind of guy that has something interesting to say about just about anything. It is so easy to talk to him and learn so much about local history, culture, wildlife, farming, forestry and so much more. He was also a… read more
29 Jul 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Anna & Richard)
I had the pleasure of having Richard and Anna helping me for three weeks.
They mainly helped working in the forest clearing with brushsaws, assisting in road maintenance and they helped splitting and packing firewood.
They are both quick learners that easily adapts to given instructions.
In the free time they are social, fun to be around and… read more
They mainly helped working in the forest clearing with brushsaws, assisting in road maintenance and they helped splitting and packing firewood.
They are both quick learners that easily adapts to given instructions.
In the free time they are social, fun to be around and… read more
(Excellent
)
30 May 2018
Left by Workawayer (Luiza & Katarzyna) for host
Lars is born to be a host. He is very cheerful with lots of stories to tell and good sense of humor. During our stay he taught us a lot about forestry, nature, history and culture of Norway. We also spend some time listening to music and watching movies together.
He took care of us at all times so we could feel at his place like at home. His… read more
He took care of us at all times so we could feel at his place like at home. His… read more
2 May 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Luiza & Katarzyna)
Lou & Kate helped me for almost two months, in that time they almost started to feel like a party of the family.
They are both hardworking and easily adapts to new tasks.
The tasks they've had have been to dig out trees and dig paths between them to help logging in deep snow, they have helped winching out logs and cutting branches of the last logs… read more
They are both hardworking and easily adapts to new tasks.
The tasks they've had have been to dig out trees and dig paths between them to help logging in deep snow, they have helped winching out logs and cutting branches of the last logs… read more
(Excellent
)
1 Aug 2017
Left by Workawayer (Friederike & Jens) for host
Lars is a very extrovert and friendly person. He knows a lot about local history and is a great guide to the nearby museums. When he cooks, the food is excellent. There are not always scheduled meals, but food is provided for self service all the time. The work is not complicated and adjusted to your strength. When something is too heavy, Lars… read more
8 Jul 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Workaway member)
Jana and Marek helped me on the farm for about two weeks.
Jana mostly worked in the garden while Marek was helping me in the forest and working on the tractor.
They are both hardworking and full of initiative as well as friendly.
I can give them my fullest recommendation as volunteers.
Jana mostly worked in the garden while Marek was helping me in the forest and working on the tractor.
They are both hardworking and full of initiative as well as friendly.
I can give them my fullest recommendation as volunteers.
(Excellent
)
8 Jul 2017
Left by Workawayer (Workaway member) for host
We spent almost two weeks with Christian and his family on their very nice farm and it was wonderful time. Christian is very friendly, communicative and smiling guy. He still try to you feel very complacently. He is perfect trained chef and cook very tasty meals and soups, mostly for people who love meat :)
Marek usually helped in the forest,… read more
Marek usually helped in the forest,… read more
