Italy
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Hi everyone's, my name is Nicola and I'm 39 y.o.
I'm living and working in the Italian countryside together with my beloved two female dogs named Nina and Sarah, many many trees and wildlife around.
I'm the owner of a yellow house surrounded by woods and some rare fields on the slope of a mountain chain at 550m above the sea level.
The place is gifted of a fertile soil, springs of drinkable water and mature woods.
Come with me, let's go a bit deeper in what could you expect from your next adventure:
LOCATION:
The property is located in a small village that belongs to the municipality of "Cagli" (61043 - PU); it's located 4Km far from the centre of the tiny little village of "Pianello di Cagli".
It counts just around 450 people but you can find some food shops, bars and a pharmacy.
The bigger town closer is "Cagli" that counts around 9000 inhabitants and where you will find all the main facilities; it's 13km far.
The area is a typical example of the internal mountains chain called "Apennines" that divide Italy from West to the East coast; you can easily find it on the web typing "Pianello (Cagli)"; you will find images and an accurate Wikypedia's page in Italian language.
The location is remarkable and still kind of wild so it's an ideal place for who's into nature and environmental sciences; there are also some important historical sites around even if the local transportation system to reach some of them isn't that efficient.
The house is isolated and I'm trying to use the car less I can so for reach the little village you'll often need my bike or your feet; the plaza's village is 4km so keep that fact in count before applying.
MYSELF:
I was volunteering mainly across Europe for almost 10 years (even if not continually) and that helps me to discover how to live my life and relationships.
I'm straight and direct about my feelings and opinions, unfiltered, I would say.
When a volunteer will behave in a fair way it'll became my friend too (if we get along well, obviously) , otherwise it'll be difficult to show enough empathy; you'll easily understand what I feel for you.
I try my best to take care about the stunning environment that surround me with using energy in a rational way, saving money, taking care of tools and things and make my duties at my best level.
I pay attention on too many little details that to the majority can seems just unimportant things; I'm convinced that a real ecological way of living is more related to trying to reduce our impact, changing mind approach and be focused on everyday little actions.
My food style is pretty simple and, probably, not that various; I'll buy just some basic ingredients and trying to combine them in a tasty way; if you don't like garlic, onion and chilly it could then be a problem; I love them and I won't cook without it and I'm usually cooking for all.
I will provide you (us) three meals a day or (if your cooking style will fit for both of us) you can cook too.
I'm not a smoker and I'm omnivorous.
PROJECT:
My job is mainly harvesting wild plants and mushrooms in the wood and selling the products from my land.
I would like to improve the activities with some hospitalities during spring and summer.
I'm interested in reaching a decent way of self sustainable life but I am not too radical in that; I honestly prefer to use what I already have in a more rational way, avoiding from waste and misuses.
Nico, Nina, Sara.
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
The village of Pianello, where I live exactly, is a good example of a quiet and simple country life.
You can find that boring or charming but, at least, it will maybe be a change of perspective.
You'll learn practical things especially about farming/gardening
but what's more valuable, also how to breath deeper and follow the rithym of the nature (that in a project like this can be, sometimes, fast and frenetic).
We could try to organise a semi-fixed schedule together.
The amount of time will be approx. 25h/week; I would say approx just because of the weather conditions, moon phases and seasons.
An example of what kind of jobs could you expect are log the wood, pruning in the orchard (if you really know how to do it properly), collect mushrooms and wild plants, help in the vegetable garden, cleaning and eventually cooking, make the paths and the surrounded areas accessible, house renovation, pet sitting, beekeeping and more...
The jobs to do are related to their priority and could often be heavy, repetitive and maybe frustrating.
That's why I'm looking for nature and farming LOVER; a simply passion for just a generalised interest for environment could be not enough to deal with my lifestyle.
We could collaborate with other hosts and farmers.
I am pretty exigent about how I want the job to be be done; follow my indications and if you have some suggestions tell me before; I will be pleased to hear them and, eventually, knew more helpful things and change my approach.
If you don't want to do certain kind of jobs you can tell me before in order to make me think of something different (but if there's not then this could became a problem for both).
Please respect my house, tools, habits and don't overestimate your abilities: be honest and tell me what you can do and at what level.
The kind of jobs to do here needs to be in a good psychophysics conditions.
Languages spoken
Italian: Fluent
English: Intermediate
German: Beginner
Spanish: Beginner
French: Beginner
This 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.
There are two bedrooms or you can put a tent in the wood (a romantic idea but the weather can quickly change and you will be pleased by the company of wild pigs, wolves, snakes and insects).
The house is old and not insulated but there are all the amenities we need and wood stoves to warm the house.
SIGHTSEEING:
You can take a swim in the little river that flows here near, hike mountains and go underground visiting caves, go cycling, horse riding, visit the historical sites that started from the bronze age through the Romans and the middle age and take part of the festivals that are often organized in the area, especially in the summer.
In Cagli you can take the bus to reach the Adriatic Sea, take a visit to Rome (240Km) or reach the northern part of this region that's well known for the area called "Montefeltro" and the city of Urbino with its university ; keep in mind you will be so close to Umbria (Gubbio, Assisi, Spello, Perugia, Trasimeno Lake, etc...) that is so charming.
AVAILABLE TRANSPORT:
The closest airports are, in order of appearance RIMINI, ANCONA, BOLOGNA, ROMA; you'll need to take a train and/or a bus to get here in PIANELLO.
From the little village of PIANELLO were the property is located there is a bus that goes 3 times a day to CAGLI.
Don't underestimate the distances here and have faith in my suggestions about your trip trying to make things easier for both.
Please consider also that the place isn't so well connected with the local transportation.
Keep in mind that when you ask for coming and we got the deal I probably gave a negative answer to someone else and I've planned my jobs and events also over our agreement.
I would prefer who choose to stay, at least, two weeks.
I prefer to host NON SMOKER but that depends also on my needs and your abilities so be honest and tell me before if you smoke and how much.
Thanks for your attention.
Peace and prosperity.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
There's technically no WiFi in the house but I will offer you my connection. But the connection could be not that fast and I have a limited amount of 40G/month.
You can park in the little plaza next to the house or not too far along the road.
I have two female dogs that are often in the house. I would ask you to keep your dog on a leash if it'll be outside the house in the common areas.
Two
Approximately 25 hours/week
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