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2 Jun 2025
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Description
We are a family with a small farm next to a big forest with a nice, elevated view in Eastern Norway, a 2 hour drive from the capital, Oslo. We have enough fields, living area and forest on our homestead to develop it into becoming a small independent community for people who would like to live on the premises, part- or full time. Or just visit us. Perhaps you?
We do not sell anything we produce (do not plan to do so either).
So far involved:
= David: Speaks German, English and Norwegian, has background in emergency and remote / disaster medicine, teaches crises management and is a jack of all trades on our homestead.
= Frida: Speaks English and Norwegian, has a background as a dancer, dance teacher and choreographer. Plants and gardening are a big interest area.
= The kids (teen and 10-yearold) are also bilingual, active, interested in agriculture and "friluftsliv" (outdoor activities).
= A tenant who mainly focuses on gardening to increase self sustainability.
Combined we have good knowledge of DIY, preparedness, healthy living, rescue, advanced first aid, energy. Our freetime activities span from trail running to aerosports, sailing, climbing/mountaineering and some scuba diving.
We can offer:
= Quiet natural environment in Eastern Norway with wildlife right in front of the porch. Living in loghouses built after biological building standards with low radiation, chemicals and other pollutants.
= Meeting engaging people with knowledge in relevant fields if you plan on developing your own homestead but haven't started yet.
= Many practical skills from planning, forest/wood tasks, carpentering to gardening. Use of technical equipment from engine driven appliances (cutter, cultivator), compressor, powertools, basic electronic repairs.
= Take some produce with you, e.g. dehydrated food (dependent on season).
= Staying in a newly renovated loghome from the 18th century with underfloor heating, 2 bedrooms, own bathroom and kitchen.
= Area for you to set up a tent, camper, hammock and playground if you bring kids.
= Leisure equipment: Kayak for 2 people, snowshoes, tent/sleeping bags/mats/hammoc, sled, paintball...
= 2h drive to the capital Oslo and Norway's largest airport.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Sustainability
Adventure sports
Yoga / Wellness
Technology
Vegetarian or vegan
Self development
Movies & TV
Writing
History
DIY & crafts
Languages
Gardening
Cooking & food
Performing arts
Nature
Sailing / Boating
Mountain
Dancing
Water sports
Outdoor activities
Hiking
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Some cultural exchanges we can offer, dependent on time of the year:
= Art and contemporary dance classes and performances. Workshop to get involved with.
= Outdoor activities from river paddling, trail walking on old trails that pass many abandoned homesteads and forest huts, trail running, a big obstacle course and possibly checking out the area by airplane (evaluated individually).
= Fluent in both Norwegian, German and English. We can give you perspectives on both native and expat view of living here in Eastern Norway. Also involving children who speak any of these languages and want to connect with children who can speak the same tongue. Of course we are interested in new languages as well.
= Sharing preparedness, survival and crisis management skills on all levels as well as medical skills. Some of these can be trained on practically (like advanced first aid, rescue, navigation, building shelters, etc). No medical advice, just practical skills to use at your own discretion.
= Sharing recipes, food dehydration and alternative food preparation.
We are quite certain that people who are interested in these kinds of exchanges look at travel and society from a standpoint that can be matching to ours: Not just pure tourism and paying with FIAT currency, but sharing experiences and knowledge gained as well as having a great time together.
= Technical skills in many areas.
= Fun events like paintball.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
While we are mainly interested in building a network of like minded people, we also have works. Depended on your background and interest, these include the following:
= Gardening: Everything from preparation of soil, sowing to harvesting.
= Tending to the forest, mainly cutting and removing scrubs and undergrowth. This is both on our own land and possibly a small airstrip 10km away.
= Cutting trees up to 15cm diameter for firewood if you have the proper knowledge.
= Collecting, cutting, splitting and stacking firewood.
= Sometimes help with some general maintenance and tasks.
Some of the works need you to work on your own, as we do not yet have many of the same engine driven tools. With these you will receive a proper introduction. Other works can be done together as it is more social and thus lifts the spirit.
We also have smaller jobs for children (dependent on age) that they could do together with our own kids, like repairing the treehouse, cleaning up the small creek, picking berries, and other playful activities.
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Norwegian: Fluent
Danish: Intermediate
Swedish: Intermediate
French: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
Combined, we are fluent in English, German and Norwegian. We also understand Swedish and Danish, but don't speak it. We have some basic French skills that definitely could use some improvement and we are interested in learning Russian.
Accommodation
As of now we have various options for accommodation:
= 1. A guesthouse with 2 bedrooms, own bathroom and kitchen / living room. Accommodates a total of 6 people if 2 sleep on the sleeper couch in the living room.
We encourage you to share our living room (in the main house) in your off-time, but of course you can relax by yourself if you need some time / space.
= 2. A paved area in the courtyard with access to electrical power and fresh water for your camper van or caravan.
= 3. A big lawn that has enough space for a couple of tents. We have 2 tents available that can sleep a total of 5 people. We can offer 2 sleeping bags/mats, otherwise a cot and quilts/bedding. You have access to the bathroom in the guesthouse during.
If you are more adventurous, especially during the summer month, you can also borrow a hammock and tarp or bivouac bag and sleep under the trees and stars or in the forest. Your chances of close encounters with forest animals increase dramatically. :-D
You can use the main kitchen and we emphasize hygiene. Preparing the meals: If you like to cook you are very welcome to do so. Otherwise you contribute with some other chores. We eat vegetarian (plus fish + eggs).
What else ...
Our emphasis is to share time together, also freetime. We can suggest tours, trails, destinations and attractions and are happy to explore together with you. You can borrow gear for some activities (kayak, snowshoes) and we even have a Jacuzzi.
In case you do not have your own transportation, we can drive you to the next bus-stop and pick you up there.
If our interests match, we can join you and find activities together.We have a focus on safety and security and we do not tolerate unsafe or dangerous behavior, littering, doing drugs, drinking or smoking.
You are welcome to bring pets, but most of them have to stay outdoors due to allergy concerns. We can probably arrange so that your four legged friend has a roof over his/her head in the garage or barn.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
There is a WLAN access point in the guesthouse. If you want (e.g. due to EMF sensitivity), you can turn it off and instead use exclusively wired Ethernet.
Space for parking camper vans
On pavement. Access to 220V AC electricity (within means) and drinking water.
Can possibly accept pets
Of course you can bring your pets, but they have unfortunately to stay outside due to allergy concerns.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
