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Description
We are a couple (Cèlia and David), restoring an ancient building (ca. 200 y.o.) in an isolated village, Santisteve del Mall (Isàvena, Aragonese Pyrenees).
Attached to the building there is a piece of land - originally surrounded by a dry-stone wall (up to 1,50 m. high) that is now damaged due to the pass of time as well as wild animals and cattle. We want to restore it.
Santisteve del Mall is located at the unique Isávena country, in the South face of the Central Pyrenees, at some 1.050 m.a.s.l.. Close to Santisteve are the villages of Poblla de Roda and Roda de Isàvena (est. ca. 10th century). The entire Isàvena valley is a quiet community to enjoy the silence of its pristine natural environment.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Before starting the work, an initial-basic induction on dry-stone walls is provided. We have books on the matter available if people like to go deeper.
Later on, travellers will help to restore a piece of an ancient custom in the mountains which is to build dry-stone walls for different purposes. In this case is to enclose a small land to set boundaries and prevent wild animals or distracted cattle to ruin the crops.
As said before, the main building of the farm -the Old Schoold of Santisteve - is under renovation, that´s why we will be there full-time with our campervan, doing also additional tasks like caring the greengarden, preparing food, hiking, riding MTB, or simply stay chat or chill the rest of the summer evenings and overwhelming nights. We will be delighted to share this moments with the visitors.
The greengarden follows permaculture, no-dig, no-till approaches. We are on the learning curve on that, so any advice will be very welcome.
Help
In the Ribagorçan Aragonese (South face of the Central Pyrenees) culture, a "clluga" is a piece of land enclosed by a dry-stone wall. The pass of time and also the pass of wild animals and cattle, damaged most of the stone wall in our "clluga" (known in the country as "La Clluga de Güerri").
The work is mainly focused on restoring the stone wall (up to 1,50 m high) in the perimeter of La Clluga. We will use stones already stored close - a few meters - to its permanent place. The size and weight of the stones is small: they can be handled by one person and very sporadically the help of another person is needed. All the task is done at ground level.
Related to this tasks, basic knowledge and experience with wood working is a plus, but not necessary, as we have to use custom made wood templates, measuring tools, handtools,... with all the safety equipment needed, of course.
Languages
Languages spoken
Aragonese: Fluent
Catalan: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Fluent
Italian: Intermediate
Portuguese: Intermediate
Swedish: 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
A campsite for tents is in the farm. Nowadays, there is a tent with matresses and bedding for 1-2 people, with enought space in the land to pitch additional tents if visitors bring their own. Here is also a plot for up to 2 campervans which can use those coming with its own vehicle.
Running water (warmshower), electricity, composting toilet on-site.
Food is provided, and a large table to enjoy the meals all together.
What else ...
The village of Santisteve del Mall is located at an unique country in the South face of the Central Pyrinees, at some 1.050 m.a.s.l., surrounded by oak and pine woods.
Close to Santisteve are the villages of Poblla de Roda and Roda de Isàvena (est. ca. 10th century). The entire Isàvena valley is a quiet country to enjoy the silence of its pristine natural environment. Ideal to ride or hike.
To get to Santisteve, one must first reach La Poblla de Roda (road A-1605), take an uphill unpaved road for 4 kms, which can be done with any car.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
Water and electricity supply is avaliable.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Photos
Feedback
Thanks to their eager, hands-on motivation and amazing ability they soon coped autonomously with the entire process to erect the wall: screening sand, mixing it with lime and water to make a nice lime mortar, select and put in place the stones. The result was a… read more
