Spain
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So I am writing this opening passage for and on behalf of my father. He is in his 70's and is a total dude. When he says plural below it is actually singular, as he lives alone on the farm. The "We" would be me - (his son and him). I live just south of Los Angeles near Newport Beach and visit him on the farm a couple of times a year and he also visits with me in California a few times a year. I bought the farm as a gift to him for being such an awesome DAD ! He is old school, fair, honest and beyond reproach, in my opinion at least. We are South African born and bred and moved to Europe in the early noughties. The house is pretty basic. But totally charming and has an energy that is completely restorative. I can never spend enough time here...
My dad has little patience for "dossers" - I am sure this is a universally understood term. If you come to the farm, please be a respectful, good person as my dad fits this description also. There is so much to do on the farm in terms of the help we need. It is a massive project and completely beyond the scope of one persons time and energy. So if you come, any contribution is appreciated - pruning / clearing / gathering and chopping firewood / cooking / cleaning etc etc - any specialist skills are always hugely valued: carpentry, plumbing, electrician, builder - I am sure we could consider some payment for services when it comes to these kinds of skills.
We have an old land cruiser which, if you are here long term and making a real contribution, I am sure my dad would consider lending you for weekend travels etc. This car is mine (and my first love so please treat him well if you do get the opportunity to drive him. ) I can potentially add you to my insurance as a named driver. The land cruisers name is Clifford and he is totally awesome.
Barcelona, my favourite city in the world is around 2 and a quarter hours away by train and the ticket is about 14 euros. Train is really good - not crowded with a/c. I take it sometimes to come out to the farm when I fly in to Barcelona. So its totally doable to overnight in Barca or daytrip in from the farm. I am sure my dad would be cool dropping you off at the station. There are some amazing beaches around an hours drive from the farm also. A couple of wineries up in the hills to visit for wine tasting and vineyard tours also. Local shops are around 15 minutes away and there is a decent little town called Flix.
My dad is pretty chill and does his own thing, the house is big enough to not be in each others space all the time. Olive harvest season starts middle of November and can run until early January - this is a spiritual experience, we manually harvest using nets and a battery driven leaf agitator. My dad is a real custodian of the land and treats every tree as though it was his own child ! We are completely organic and produce the best, first press, olive oil from 3-400 year old trees. This is where my dad needs the most help and it is such an experience being involved in this process from harvest to press. I am sure my dad will ensure you have ample bottled olive oil to take with you as a memento. So if there is a group of you and you are nice people who want to be part of this experience then please get in touch. Drinking wine with friends after a hard days work out on the rocky deck overlooking the farm around an open fire is soul food for sure.
My dad has met some really decent people through this network and I would like to think that the farm, feeling of tranquillity and the re-calibration of what matters in life is sometimes is a good take away for those who visit. You don't need a lot to live a full life - this place is testament to that.
If you are heading to the west coast and have connected with my dad, then I am sure we would also get on well so look me up if you are ever in L.A. - the rest from my pops below:
We are responsible organic farmers concerned about nature, bird and animal life, preservation of the soil biology and care of trees which on average are over 400 years old. I feel we have a different approach to normal aspects of agriculture. A few examples is our reverent approach to pruning olive and almond trees, to coax them from vegetative to productive growth. Minimal harm to the natural environment, seeking meaningful and trusting relationships with volunteers and our surrounding community while building a strong sustainable farming framework.
Our climate, soil conditions, infrastructure and organic farming is ideal for growing and drying medicinal disease curing herbs. Many are planted but also identifying natural wild growing medical herbs. If we can keep the wild boar, rabbits and deer out as they know what is good and healthy to eat!!
The area has been hunted for generations and the hunters have respected my request not to hunt on our farm and to allow restoring of wild life. After 2 years we have seen the first pair of partridge on the Finca, So stopping the hunting is starting to show positive results. We have finally been registered as a nature reserve!!
The Masia is a quiet, peaceful, clean, neat and tidy home.
If necessary, one can read more about my background on request.
Gardening
Building
General Maintenance
Cooking / shopping
Farmstay
Other
Help with Eco project
Help in the house
Help with Computers / internet
Organic farming, soil biology, caring for each other and nature, off grid living, improve one's overall skills and learn to live closer to nature.
15ha organic almond and olive farm, pruning trees, trimming out the fire wood, training given. General building and repairs, Building a lapa (outdoor shower/composting toilet extension). Developing the garden and landscaping.
We are hoping to attract a landscape architect, tree surgeon, plumber or a builder/carpenter
English, Afrikaans, learning Spanish
Bed room in house with gas heating and a large fire place for those chilly winter nights. Hot private out door shower. Beautiful floor tiling throughout. Nice bedrooms with flush toilet and wash hand basin in shower room (shower not connected yet) Each room has locks for security. Well fitted kitchen including spacious dining area for up to 10 people making for pleasant social evenings.
There are flights to Reus or Barcelona and trains to Flix where I will collect if required.
We provide food and all pitch in to cook.
There is no electricity but we have internet, plenty of hurricane lamps and candles with a big open fire that creates that warm evening lighting. We are high up with magnificent 360 degree views.
Week ends are free and there is an excellent train service going off in various directions and Barcelona is a 2hr train ride from here.
The Sebes Nature Reserve is about 3 miles away on the banks of the Ebro river and this is a good area for hiking and mountain biking or just simply relaxing and bird watching.
This place is for those who enjoy a quiet, peaceful, orderly, clean home and would like to try living off grid, in nature.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
More than two
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
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