Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
29 Mar 2024
Reply rate
91.7 %
Usually responds within 33 days
Feedback
42
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Badges (2)
Details
Description
Hello, my husband Doug, our 2 dogs and I moved to Southern Spain in 2019 to open an eco guest villa, near the beautiful town of Salobreńa. The last 3 years has been spent upgrading the rental villa and our own little finca (oh and "acquiring" some additional furry family members!
Since arriving here we have with the help of volunteers and employed trades people, updated, replaced and developed lots of the space. Including building a large eco living pool which is now a wildlife paradise (and for us too!)
We have ongoing daily tasks, from weeding, planting, private house cleaning and eco pool cleaning. In addition repairs and painting most weeks.
The work is in our private house and gardens not the rental Villa. We have a cleaner and gardener for the Villa.
We provide food for 3 meals. This can be in a variety of ways. I cook, we take you for a food shop where you choose your weekly food (budget around €25) or combination of the 2.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The property really is like paradise, a beautiful place with a lovely energy from the sea view and wildlife.
There will be lots of free time to enjoy the paradise that we are fortunate to live in.
Help
LAST MINUTE AVAILABLE 1-14/4/24.
Variety of help needed, including planting new garden area, mosaics some painting.
We are currently looking for help to build a kennel with a secure run for rescue dogs and their puppies.
Ideally you’d have experience to build breeze block walls etc.
We generally only accept workaways with feedback or an alternative reference if new to WA.
The hours are usually 8.30-1.30pm with a short break for 5 days. (If you smoke the expectation is that you smoke during your break and not whilst you’re working)
The standard help required is cleaning, gardening some maintenance & repairs depending on skills.
We all have strengths, weaknesses, preferences etc.
You should be able to do the tasks without constant supervision, and have initiative, someone who can see something needs doing and is happy to do it. (i.e not step over a piece of rubbish because you’ve not been asked to pick it up!)
Please do contact us if:
You have enthusiasm 😀
You have a good sense of humour and solid work ethic.
You appreciate and understand living with animals and the joys & frustrations that can bring, including when necessary cleaning up their 💩 😄
You are physically fit. We live on a VERY steep hill, some of the work (gardening can be quite physical)
You like being part of a team but can equally work alone.
You have some understanding & commitment to being environmentally considerate. (Particularly around water preservation as we are not on mains water)
You are able to help without constant supervision & micro management.
In the summer it’s HOT (June - September) you need to be prepared (hat, suitable clothing etc, we can provide it if necessary but you need to wear it!)
Please do not consider coming:
If you’re coming here to GET fit, you will struggle.
If you have other commitments/priorities that mean you cannot fulfill your commitments here.
If You intend to spend more time on your phone for whatever reason during your hours than helping.
If you are just coming for a free “holiday”
Please do not say you can do something that you actually have no experience of, regardless of how simple you think the task is. It is always best to be clear with your strengths and weaknesses, we are happy to give guidance on things you may need experience in.
It’s important that you understand the importance of cleaning up after yourselves (particularly in shared spaces) You are expected to thoroughly clean your accommodation on departure, any lifts to bus stations etc are based on this having been done.
AGAIN YOU NEED TO BE PHYSICALLY FIT for most tasks, (plus we live on a very steep hill 😅) if there are any physical or other difficulties PLEASE let us know so we can consider tasks that maybe more suitable for you prior to arrival.
Please note we generally only commit to hosting for 2 weeks, in some cases we will agree to extend once the volunteer has been here for 1 week, depending on skills and projects.
Minimum age 20
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: BeginnerThis 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.
Accommodation
We live on a very steep hill with tiered gardens. We have a small double bedroom. (ensuite) available for our workaway in our finca, at the top of the hill, if the horse box isn’t available.
We have a 10 metre converted horse box, with own shower, toilet and kitchen, (Shown in our pictures here) suitable for 2 people.)
We're a 1.9km walk to a beach (stoney)
We have 5 dogs, the two small ones we bought with us, Colin (15 yrs) & Betsy Boo (7 yrs) In addition we have 3 rescue. Rocky (10 yrs old) who is a pitbull, horrible history, but he is gorgeous (though a bit of a doughnut at times!) very very good natured. Flip flop who is now 2 years old and somewhat of a lunatic but cuddly with it. Finally piglet, who is our 3 years old found dumped, weighing just 0.7 kg. She is very partially sighted. We also have 4 cats, all hand reared by myself and Betsy Boo from a few days old who behave more like dogs than cats (they sit for treats!)
We often have rescue kittens and puppies which we are always grateful for help with.
What else ...
Walking distance to the beach, 2 beautiful historical towns nearby.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
If staying in the camper lorry, pets will be considered.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (22)
We are very thankful for the opportunity, we just simply loved every second of being there with them together with the dogs and cats as well.
Time just flew by, thanks to the various tasks that we had to handle. Helping with all… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.4)
Communication:
(4.9)
We are very thankful for the opportunity, we just simply loved every second of being there with them together with the dogs and cats as well.
Time just flew by, thanks to the various tasks that we had to handle. Helping with all… read more
The place is situated between Almunecar and Salobrena on the hill above the Alfa Mar urbanizacion if you like peace, quiet and solitude is the perfect… read more
I spend four wonderful weeks at their little paradise.
Lets start at the beginning. During my travels through spain i made some bad experiences in just a few days, so i asked them if i could arrive earlier than planed. They didn't hesitate a second and made it imediatly possible to "save" me. They gave me the feeling of… read more
Despite arriving after she had experienced a couple of horrible days (through no fault of her own) most would be getting a flight home, however Lina arrived ready to take on the tasks she had committed too.
Nothing was… read more
They came after the awful Sahara sand storms when we were overwhelmed with the cleaning and painting that was required. They worked hard in our team of volunteers and contributed significantly to getting us back on our feet. Gabor is confident and skilled in fixing and making things,… read more
Clare and Doug are incredibly welcoming to anyone. They have hilarious stories to tell and are just lovely people in general.
The work was varied and always enjoyable. We were able to discuss the planned… read more
From the very first moment you meet them, til the moment you say goodbye, you are made to feel welcome. They have a lot of experience and know how to handle knew Workaways to their property. More specifically, they… read more
The first weeks was confused, because they had their wedding, so we cant build a close relationship, but the wedding was beautiful and Claire and Doug were very kind and nice hosts and it was… read more
What they lacked in experience they made up for with enthusiasm and learned quickly. They were so easy to have around and work with. They helped clean, gardening, move gravel etc, whatever needed doing they were happy to help.
Their energy, kindness and humour shone… read more
The work was varied which kept it… read more
They fitted in so well with us, the animals and everyone else. They fulfilled whatever tasks were require with positive attitude, and always with a smile.
They helped with the animals, starting up a veg… read more
