Stay on a farm just below the arctic circle in Skonseng, Norway

  • Favourited 786 times
  • Last activity: 20 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Details

  • Description

    Description

    Updated August 2023.

    General information:
    We are a family of 4, Ivar and Wirat in late 40's, Jonas 9 yo, and Aria 16 yo. Grandparents living next door. Both parents have jobs outside the farm, so having help from workawayers is greatly appreciated. With two (soon three) houses on the farm, and a big garden, we basically never run out of stuff that should be taken care of, but time is always limited!

    The farm is located just below the arctic circle, at the base of Saltfjellet/Svartisen National Park. Our family has been running the farm since around 1760. Until recently, we produced potatoes on about 10 hectares, but due to the financial situation for agriculture in Norway, the production has now stopped. Our cultivated areas are still being used for production of food for animals on neighbouring farms.
    We are friendly, sociable people, and hope to make new friends, as well as getting help on the property, through the workaway experience! Aria sometimes needs to be dragged out of her room, but when you succeed, she loves to play cards, and is very social. Jonas is usually shy for about 5 minutes, but when he has warmed up, he loves to play. Any effort to get both of them away from phone, television, playstation, etc., for a while, is greatly appreciated!

    The workaway experience at our place, is mainly focused on a building project. We are building a house to have more space for accomodation. The house is constructed from second hand housing modules, and we have tried to reuse as much as possible, without compromising living standards and comfort.
    Parts of the house (bedrooms, living area) are almost complete, but we still have a lot of work on bathrooms and kitchen, as well as the outside of the house. For this reason, people with carpentry skills will have a great advantage, if you send us your application!!

    We also expect the Workawayers to take part in general household chores. We have quite a busy everyday schedule, with full jobs outside the farm, and children who need driving to different activities several days a week, so we are always falling behind on stuff that needs to be done. We appreciate very much those who are "self propelled", and simply just helps out where it's needed, without necessairily being given detailed instructions on every little task. This mainly concerns simple tasks, such as keeping the house clean, taking out the trash, etc.,
    Worth to mention, since many workawayers have special dietary information, is that we are not vegetarians. Hunting and fishing has been part of the lifestyle on the farm since our forfathers made the first fields, and we are still self supplied with moosemeat from the wilderness, which we are happy to serve to our guests.

    Even though the potato production has come to an end, if you write "potato lover" in the headline, we will know that you actually read our profile, before applying. ;)

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Farmstay help
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    When you stay at our farm, you will be a member of our family, and take part in our way of living. If you are in a process of getting language training, we could be helpful both with Norwegian and English.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

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

  • Help

    Help

    You will be expected to help out with random tasks around the property. Anything from normal housework and gardening, to smaller refurbishing projects, maintenance and cleaning. Also at times, we have bigger building projects, so carpentry skills can be greatly appreciated.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    Norwegian: Fluent
    German: Intermediate
    French: Beginner

    This host offers a language exchange
    Having worked abroad for many years, Ivar has an above average command of the English language, and can be a good conversationalist, in order to improve your own skills.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Although our new house is not finished yet, we have the bedrooms and livingroom ready for use, and this is where you will be staying. Bathroom and kitchen is still under construction, so these facilities is shared in our main house.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    At the base of Saltfjellet/Svartisen National Park, you have a perfect starting point for hikes in the mountains. The nearby Svartisen Glacier is another popular sight. The farm is located kind of in the wilderness, so if you like to stay close to nature, it's a perfect spot. There is a river running through our valley, and we have both a canoe and a river kayak available, and there are very nice opportunities for fishing. Should you be here during winter, it is usually rich in snow, and mountains around the farm are popular among skiers. Up to more than 1000 altimeters of downhill, after climbing to the top can take the breath out of anyone!

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Also possible to hook up to electricity from several outlets around the farmhouses.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Up to 25 hours per week.

Host ref number: 118836939414

Feedback (27)



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: (5.0)

Communication: (5.0)
































Help and stay in Henningsvær Lofoten, Norway
Help on the island Løkta, a part of the Helgeland Islands, Norway