Help us outside around the house in rural Colli Bolognesi, a wine area in Italy

Details

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  Description

  We live in the hills, the Colli Bolognesi, a wine area, about 30 minutes drive south-west of Bologna, northern Italy. We live in a completely rebuilt house, part of a former now disappeared 17th century farm complex, with amazing views towards the nearby Apennines to the south and over the hills and Po plains towards the north, where on a clear day we see the Alps at about 180 km distance!
  Lucia, Italian was born near Genova and grew up there, in Florence and Tolmezzo (Carnia). She spent most of her career on opening markets and exporting Italian luxury abroad, while in spare time developing her culinary skills.
  Peter, Dutch-Swiss, was born in Leiden and grew up in the Netherlands and France. He spent most of his career in development cooperation across the globe and moved places over 18 times. His two grown-up daughters enjoying life in Amsterdam.
  In 2002 Lucia and Peter decided to spend life together, initially in Milano and later in Zola Predosa, just outside Bologna. In 2014 we started to rebuild part of the old farm complex, Bazziganta, about 15 km into the hills in Monte San Pietro. End 2016 while gradually moving into retirement, we decided to to start up Eatwith social eating events and a bit later operate also as a small true in-house rental.
  
  And then we added hosting Workawayers interested helping us with mostly heavy tasks in nature. We can host, in our home on the first floor, a maximum a group of 3 Workawayers in 2 adjacent rooms. The house is almost finished, the 1,5 hectare of land around still need a lot of (at times heavy) help.
  We are looking for nature lovers that are healthy and strong, willing to work in nature with soil, rocks, shrubs, trees and more... Peter will guide and train where needed in the tasks and tools at hand, and is open to learn and share. Tools include various mower machines, chainsaw, wood-chipper, axes large and small. Most if not all help is outside, working times (at least 5 hours 5 days / week) are flexible. After a short initiation, we are looking for good communicators but independently operating WorkAwayers.
  
  Lucia will take care of your culinary well being and discovery of Italian and other cuisines, wild herbs and more.
  
  We love good conversations! We will show you around, encourage you to walk and cycle (road and MTB), and assist you in finding appropriate ways of regularly visiting Bologna and other nearby cultural treasures.
  Of course you will remain in touch with the world through a high-speed Wifi connection :-)

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  General Maintenance
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  There is lots and lots to learn, from us, from neighbors and others. We are fluent in Italian, English, German, French, Dutch and Spanish and have roamed large parts of the world. We love to hear and learn from other cultures and practices. We have a huge library and music collection, including various instruments, such as African drums, pianoforte, Spanish guitar and more. Our place is right on the recently restored old Roman / medieval trade route "Piccola Cassia" between Emilia and Tuscany, the Piccola Cassia.

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  Help

  We are particularly looking for experience with *masonry* and *painting external walls*.
  
  We look for healthy, dynamic and strong people that can help clear up the shrubby neglected land and prepare it for simple maintenance, some vegetable growing, planting fruit- and other trees, dry stone walls and more. Peter can train and supervise you in the use of available tools including chainsaw, wood-chipper, axes, grass-cutters and more.
  
  We can host 1-2 persons in one bedroom and in exceptional cases 2-3 people (say for up to a full week) in the guest bedroom and adjacent studio of Peter. A group of 2-3 people is typically a group that already knows each other!
  
  Typically Workaway stays will not exceed 2 weeks.
  
  *We always wish to talk to you to come to a good understanding and agreeing on you staying with us*

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  Languages

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

  This host offers a language exchange
  We offer conversations and some help in improving your using any of the above listed languages.
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  Accommodation

  We offer a luxury double bed guestroom with its own spacey bathroom. Both with great views across the hills and over the Po plains towards the Alps. Peter's studio may optionally serve as a second bedroom with one full fledged bed. The house and our land around are spacious and allow for quite corners when needed.
  All meals will be typically prepared and shared by us. Breakfast at your own pace is possible. Lunch can be arranged as a lunch pack to take outside or away. You will have tea facilities in the room and if required some own space in the fridges of the house. We think that occasional flexibility can be agreed on.

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  What else ...

  Depending on the duration of your stay (typically not exceeding 2 weeks!) and your interest of discovering the surroundings better, you may have to consider arranging with us your own transport. Public bus transport to station, airport and Bologna exists and is nearby but frequency is limited. So you could think about a good bicycle (MTB); a small motorbike or better scooter; occasionally rent a car.

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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

  Up to a max. of 2 weeks, good Eolo internet connection via radio 20-30 Mbps, upload 2-3 Mbps. We would expect the digital nomad to combine with providing us with Workaway support as described in our profile.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  It's possible but let's clarify and agree upfront!

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  Equivalent of a minimum of 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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