Experience rural life and learn about permaculture near Sagunto, Spain

Details

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  Description

  We're Alejandro and Syrka, a couple living on a rural finca outside Sagunto, around 30 km north of Valencia. The finca is our home and our personal project, not a project run by a team.
  
  We're slowly looking after and improving the buildings, gardens and outdoor spaces. There is always something practical to do: a wall that needs attention, trees and vegetables to care for, animals to feed or materials to organise.
  
  Our professional lives are linked to okambuva, a cooperative working with natural building and sustainable architecture. We bring that experience home and use earth, straw, timber and lime whenever they suit the job.
  
  We can welcome up to two people. You'll stay in a small straw-bale and earth house with its own kitchen and ecological bathroom. We ask people to stay for at least two weeks.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance

  House & pet sitting
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  Interests

  

  Politics / Social justice

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  Sustainability

  

  Self development

  

  Farming

  

  Plant care

  

  Music

  

  Languages

  

  Hitchhiking

  

  History

  

  Gardening

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Carpentry

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Books

  

  Art & design

  

  Architecture

  

  Animals

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Nature

  

  Mountain

  

  Dancing

  

  Beach
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Natural building is part of our everyday life, not just a demonstration. When the work allows it, we'll explain how we prepare earth and lime mixes, apply natural finishes and maintain buildings made with straw, earth and timber. We like explaining why we choose a material as well as how to use it.
  
  You'll also see the ordinary rhythm of the finca: growing seasonal food, caring for animals and adapting to the Mediterranean climate.
  
  We enjoy the conversation that happens while working together. Spanish and German are both everyday languages for us, and English is welcome too. We're interested in what our guests know and how things are done where they come from.
  
  On your days off you can explore Sagunto, go to the nearby beaches or visit Valencia.

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  Help

  What we do depends on the season, the weather and what needs attention at the finca. On one visit we may be repairing an earth plaster; on another, the priority may be the garden, trees, animals or an outdoor space.
  
  Typical tasks include preparing earth or lime mixes, applying plaster, maintaining straw or timber elements, simple carpentry, organising materials, planting and watering, feeding the animals, clearing paths and keeping work areas tidy.
  
  You don't need construction experience. We care more about being reliable, working carefully and being willing to ask questions. We'll show you how we use the materials and tools, and we'll choose tasks that suit your experience.
  
  Help is a maximum of 25 hours spread over five days, with two complete days off. We usually begin in the morning, but heat, rain or the job itself can change the plan. We agree the schedule together.
  
  The minimum stay is two weeks.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  German: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent
  English: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  Spanish and German are both part of our everyday life, and we can also communicate in English. We are bilingual in Spanish and German and are happy to help guests practise either language through daily conversations and shared activities. We would especially appreciate opportunities to practise and improve our English.
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  Accommodation

  You'll stay in a small house built with straw bales and earth. It has its own kitchen and ecological bathroom, so you can have your own rhythm and privacy. We host a maximum of two people, and the house may be shared when two Workawayers are here. Families are welcome when the space and planned activities suit their needs.
  
  We provide enough food for three meals every day, including the two days off. How we organise this can vary: groceries, an adequate food allowance, vegetables from the garden, and sometimes cooking or eating together. You can prepare your own meals in the guest kitchen.
  
  We'll agree the basic food arrangement before you arrive and sort out day-to-day details together. The house is among the trees and gardens, close to the vegetable plot and animals.
  
  We provide enough food for three meals every day, seven days a week, including both days off. Depending on the arrangement, we may provide groceries, an adequate food allowance, produce from our garden and occasional meals cooked or shared with us. Guests have their own kitchen and can prepare their meals independently. We agree the basic food arrangement before arrival and work out the day-to-day details together during the stay.

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  What else ...

  The finca is in the countryside near Sagunto. The town has shops, markets, a Roman theatre and a castle, as well as train and bus connections with Valencia and other places along the coast. Beaches and mountain areas are nearby.
  
  Getting around takes a little planning. We have vehicles, and guests can often come along when one of our journeys is useful to them. If you have a valid driving licence, you can use one of our vehicles for agreed shopping or practical journeys connected with the exchange. We'll arrange this together beforehand.
  
  We value people who can be independent and who feel comfortable with country life. Please use water and energy carefully, keep shared spaces tidy, be kind to the animals and follow instructions when using tools.
  
  We don't smoke. Guests may smoke outside, away from the buildings, gardens and animals. Extra care is essential in dry weather because of fire risk.
  
  Families can stay when the accommodation and activities are appropriate. Tell us the number and ages of the children when you write so we can discuss sleeping arrangements and safety.
  
  Please also tell us what interests you, whether you have any practical experience and what you'd like to learn while you're here.

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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

  Mobile coverage is available, although its quality depends on the provider. Wi-Fi is available at our main house, but we cannot guarantee a fast or stable connection in the guest accommodation. Please tell us before arrival if reliable internet is essential for your work or studies. Our finca is best suited to people who enjoy outdoor life and do not need to remain permanently connected. Combining the stay with some remote work may be possible if the available connection meets your needs.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  There is space on the finca for a campervan or motorhome. Guests staying in their own vehicle can use the kitchen and ecological bathroom provided for Workawayers. Please tell us the approximate size of your vehicle before arrival so we can confirm that the access and parking space are suitable.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

  Atila (3 years)

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