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23 Jan 2025
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Description
We are looking for: nice quiet people to share part of our lives in harmony together! Especially if you are ready for an introspection period (break year/sabbatical) combined with working in nature and living a healthy lifestyle, this might be the ideal place to stay.
These people should be able to do home sitting in case one (or both) of us need to travel. In that case a car (non automatic) can be at disposal at basic cost price if you don't have one of your own and you are +26 yrs old (necessary for the insurance).
For the moment we are focusing on doing some smaller renovation projects in the house and finishing decoration works. But the land and the garden are always screaming for some attention...
Building and/or renovation experience is NOT MANDATORY but is for sure a bonus, mainly when welding is one of your skills.
We also need muscles & ideas. Depending on weather conditions and people already hosted, Jan will prioritise one or another creative direction. Based on your personal interest and experience/expertise, you can join forces in landscaping, collecting wood, demolition, reconstruction, welding, montage, plumbing, drywall, woodwork, painting, etc.
Help inside in the renovation of the taverna and modelling the workshop is an option. There are also lots of tasks outside further shaping the land. Making glamping garden terraces and/or creating shade chambers in the woods to connect all tracks created by the works of our previous workawayers.
IN EXCHANGE
Warm and cozy apartment, delicious food and nice company.
IMPORTANT TO READ FIRST BEFORE CONSIDERING JOINING US IN ITALY:
Our Workaway stay record is now 9 months+. So chances are you'll like it here too...
- In principle we are only interested in people who can stay for at least 2-3 months but based on your experience (and the time of the year) we may also accept people for 1 month (minimum).
- We can accommodate someone 'long term' who has experience in home renovation (final details) and/or who really likes working on the land (organic/permaculture development) and in the woods.
- Unfortunately, due to misconduct of a previous workawayer we no longer receive prime collaboration of the local authorities for people who want to gain Italian citizenship during their stay with us. So sorry for those who were hoping to come to us for that reason, we were willing to help but can no more!
- Please note that we can only accept people whose legal paperwork (visa, etc) is all taken care of. We can no longer provide 'invitations' in order to get such paperwork done.
Note that it is absolutely mandatory to speak English very well in order to communicate with us without any problems. If you are a couple, both will need to be able to speak it and we expect both to do their part of the work outdoors...
Who are we: AnneMarie and Jan.
We are a quiet, somewhat older (67-61) Flemish couple living on a mountain top in the Apennines. Trying as much as possible to be Self contained, Self sufficient and Self supportive...
We speak fluent Flemish (Dutch) and English but also Italian (obviously, when you live in Italy). One of these three languages will be what we communicate in. We also master some French, German and Spanish which are to be 'brushed up' again, but we like to practise.
We are spiritual beings (non religious) and very much involved in meditation, so people who like to (learn to) meditate are even more welcome.
Please note that we do not have cable TV and we can only provide project-related Internet. For personal streaming you have to get your own internet subscription on your telephone as we have cancelled the wifi satellite subscription because of poor quality and extremely high cost.
What can we offer:
A separate apartment in the house is available to welcome you. This will have to be shared with some other guests if there is some overlap in time. We like to welcome workawayers like family even though you will have your own private quarters in the house.
We can help with practising several languages (see above).
AnneMarie can teach Tao Yoga and other meditation techniques. She is busy/interested in alternative medicine and herbs.
She is a good cook and likes to pass on some of her skills, but due to her health this cannot always be guaranteed.
Jan is an artist in everything he does and likes to share his passion for nature, gardening, landscape arts, photography, making videos, etc. Some years ago he started an environmental art project conducting drones which has now (due to health problems) stopped. Currently he is maintaining his designs while directing the progress of the work thus further remodelling the mountain we live on.
Other than being on a healthy retreat, you can join us to all the local festa, concerts or just go on a photographic tour around the area, to the waterfalls or to the Pietra di Bismantova where Dante wrote his masterpiece 'the Divine Comedy'.
But realise here we are 'going Dutch' (i.e. each pays his own bill)!
Please note that there are a few important things to consider:
- Living together in harmony is the most important key phrase. We don't like extremist political ideas (or any other extreme vision for that matter) as they do not suit with our life ethics.
- The first language in the house is either English or Dutch.
- No drugs and preferably no smoking either unless if you are respectful enough to not throw your butts anywhere else than in the ashtray... Certainly no smoking in the house!
- A decent pair of all-weather boots is required to work on the land unless you come in plain summer.
- Even though living on a mountain top in Italy may sound like a holiday dream, be aware that it involves hard work and it may be lonely sometimes. It is not like having a picnic in the park at home... If you are a couple, both of you will need to realise that!
- Make sure what you mean when you say you like nature and gardening... If you have never handled a bush cutter, it may come as a serious challenge far exceeding your current comfort zone...
- We have 2 cats and a doggy who live in the house with us and who might sneak into the apartment on the first floor... So if you are allergic to cats or dogs that will be a 'no go'.
- Since we will be living together in the house, the daily housework (in the kitchen or keeping the house clean) is not considered 'workaway work'. We expect you to keep the place clean and nice to live in as if it were your own house or even better...
- In principle we do not serve alcohol to workawayers, unless for special occasions.
- Note that we expect everybody to help in the house and on the land, even if you are a woman, artist, ...
- Due to practical constraints, unless if you always take full responsibility of your own food (i.e. also making sure you have what it takes) and cook yourself in your own kitchen, we cannot accommodate vegetarian people. Vegan or people with serious food allergies have proven to be really too difficult to cope with, sorry. Not only because that implies radical splits between both kitchens (yours and ours) but also it is very difficult to find the proper vegan food in the mountains...
But what is very important to know is that we take the native Indian approach to food: whether it is plant or animal based alike, food is considered 'holy' and should be treated with utter respect. Realise that we are 'allergic' for people who waste food, showing no respect for nature and the farmer/gardener who put all his/her effort in 'growing your meals'...
---------------------------------
Jan wants to add:
Imagine. Just imagine.
You were a property owner of a 3.6ha estate on a mountain top in Italy, north of Tuscany. As you are looking for a challenge... What would you do with it?
Knowing more and more workawayers consider it an important stop on their life purpose track. Moreover, some of them decided about making a major shift in their lives after having been here, while others consider it a springboard to the rest of their life...
So don't be surprised if one of them hops by for a day or two during your stay!
Imagine this property would be yours for your next stop in your personal life. What would this mountain look like when you would be leaving, inviting the next one in line, what would be your mark?
At least some m2 of this mountain will carry your signature, no doubt...
If ever you wanted to leave a legacy behind in Italy, make sure to hear the silent whisper of the universe calling you to get into action...
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Help around the house
General Maintenance
House sitting
Interests
Culture
Sustainability
Self development
Pets
Events & social
Plant care
Photography
Music
Languages
Gardening
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Books
Art & design
Animals
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
Mountain
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Learn about living in Italy on a mountain top (including Italian cultural manifestations); learn to meditate; practise languages; learn gardening, landscaping, forest maintenance, cooking, nature photography, ...
Learn to bake your own (sourdough or other) bread, make your own yoghurt, milk kefir, kombucha, ginger beer, marmelade, apple vinegar etc., which we make from our own produce or from the local farmer's market if possible.
Help
Note that help would be appreciated in one or more of the following:
BUILDING / RENOVATION
Demolition, reconstruction, welding, montage, plumbing, drywall, woodwork, painting etc.
GARDEN / ESTATE / WOODS
Organic vegetable garden, fruit trees, shaping hills and terraces, landscaping, collecting wood and clearing the woods.
ANIMAL CARE
(mainly if we need to go abroad)
Take care of the cats and maybe the dog
HOME SITTING
If/when we need to travel, this may be planned some time before or it may come up unexpectedly.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Spanish: Beginner
Accommodation
An apartment is available for the workawayers on the first floor with 2 rooms (one is with a sofa-bed), a kitchen and 1 bathroom available. Depending on the situation this can accommodate 2 (couples) workawayers who can share the kitchen and the bathroom.
In principle lunch is taken all together during the week but due to AnneMarie's health problems the timing is not standard. Our breakfast is usually after the first morning shift, around 10-10.30. 'Lunch' is then after the second shift, usually between 3 and 4 pm or maybe later as it is never sure when AM will be able to start cooking. If this is a problem you can cook your own in your kitchen.
In order for us to have some privacy and time for each other, the other meals during the week are private, as well as on the weekends and holidays.
Note that AnneMarie sometimes still likes to use 'your' fridge to store food that she will use for the main meals!
What else ...
The whole area is a heaven for nature photographers, hikers, mountain-bikers, skiers, horse people, alpine climbers, via ferrata mountaineering, ... But other than cyclists also motorcyclists and trikes love to cruise the curling streets to discover beautiful sights from one mountain top to another.
In case you want a clear view of our 'Big Picture', check the album and count the deer on one of the pics ;)
Note that we live on top of a mountain and there is as good as no public transport in the area. Your own car is preferred, even though we can share a small car at basic expense cost per month if you are +26 yrs old.
If possible we are also willing to function as your personal taxi driver sometimes, but since our time is as valuable as yours we expect some help in the catching up on the invested hours... Also we then ask a fuel contribution (see lower).
Unless if you arrive at an ungodly hour, we are willing to come and pick you up to facilitate the last 100 km of your travel or even sometimes if you would like to visit places. Since our car is not yet driving on water, we do ask for a financial contribution though, depending on how far we need to drive and if there are specific road tolls on the way.
Examples of pick ups, travel time and price are :
- nearest train station Sassuolo Radici (Modena), 20 eur (takes +/- 45 minutes one way);
- Stop FlixBus Modena (via Glauco Gottardi), 25 eur (takes +/- 1 h 10mins one way);
- Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport, 30 eur (takes +/- 1,5 hour one way).
Note that since our cars are very old we are not allowed to drive in most city centres so we cannot pick you up in any other train station than Sassuolo.
Enjoy your travel!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
As mentioned above, we can only offer project related internet as we are working on phone based connections ourselves. Over the years they have proven to be the most stable (especially Iliad) even on a mountain top. If you are a giga-consumer we can advise to take a monthly subscription via your phone. Offers are these days at very cheap prices for some 200 gig per month.
Space for parking camper vans
There is plenty of space to park, but so far we have not had any camper guest staying so it would be a first experience...
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (11)
Jan is a man full of interesting knowledge and a perspective on life I rarely encounter. He «lives by the outer reflection of the inner knowing», believes everything happens for a reason and… read more
To distinct a good Workawayer from a better one often shows when you leave that Workawayer behind on top of a mountain. Then the good, the bad and the ugly might start popping up at the… read more
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Jan is a man full of interesting knowledge and a perspective on life I rarely encounter. He «lives by the outer reflection of the inner knowing», believes everything happens for a reason and… read more
To distinct a good Workawayer from a better one often shows when you leave that Workawayer behind on top of a mountain. Then the good, the bad and the ugly might start popping up at the… read more
Anne-Marie and Jan are very kind hosts. The food was very good, congrats to the chef.
The place is beautifull with an amazing view. It was a middle of nowhere therfore, it was one of the most ressourcing pace we had ever gone.
Thanks Jan , for sharing with us all your experience and let us "work out". Thanks… read more
One of the biggest challenges as a Workaway host is to find and/or establish good teams and, if possible, to put the perfect duo onto the right tandem and… read more
We enjoyed our stay at AnneMarie and Jans house. We thought we were going to employ our engineering and photography skills that we had listed, but the work we did was mostly ad hoc construction work. Jan and AnneMarie are very kind and care about the well being of their guests. They treat you like their own… read more
Looking for a writer, then Magda may fit the frame...
Be aware you are getting engineers in the house, do not expect your own point of view to become the way to go by default... Fair enough if you're willing to listen to the input of the couple. The result may turn out to be even better.
Do realise… read more
Mainly when you want that same guy to find an electronic component in an old washing machine to fix a… read more
As for the people, Jan and AnneMarie are truly caring and genuinely want a fair exchange for you. They are open-minded, intelligent and a great time to play cards… read more
Sam left his mark on the property in an insane amount of pebbles you now need to cross before entering the property...
Even though it was not our initial intention to remodel the driveway, it just happened to end on Sam's agenda. We really enjoyed having him as a carefully thinking through… read more
I spent the last three weeks of August 2021 with Jan and Anne Marie. I had a very good experience there and I learnt a lot. I think the key is to be aware that you are very… read more
He is considering coming back, depending on some other work items well/not getting resolved.
We will be glad to welcome him again.
We spent lovely weeks working on the irrigation of the big garden with Jan but not only. We had time to share a lot with Annemarie and Jan, cooking with Annemarie (she is an incredible cooker !), trying to meditate with both of them and simply… read more
That's what we had on our shortlist when we were browsing to find the 'impossible'... But we found it nonetheless.
A package that came in a number of suitcases labeled Nolwenn and Amaury. We had never heard these names before and as unique their names were, as unique their expertise and drive to get… read more
If you already had 1 Camila from Brasil then obviously chances are a creative Italian host will call you 'La Due' soon...
But don't make practical jokes with La Due, Camila considers her Workaway day a day in which things need to get done! In fact just like she considered her stay with us (necessary to get her Italian citizenship) as a… read more
Jan and Annemarie are generous people. I stayed only two weeks with them, because I just didn't have much time. But let me tell you: These two weeks were breath-taking. I calmed down so much from a rather hectic big city live in Amsterdam - it was very pure. I mainly worked with Jan in the garden but also finalized (plastering,… read more
Philip is a very hard worker and he has really left his mark on the land as well as in the house. He is a nice person… read more
Unfortunately we had to cope with some stressful moments because of the cat of the family died and Jan had health complications and had to stay a few days in the hospital. Nevertheless we all managed to learn a lot… read more
Nevertheless Neill managed to keep everything running smoothly, even though he had to also play taxi to/from the hospital.
He… read more
Unfortunately they got confronted with too many… read more
They were our first experience with workaway (and it was also their first one) and, my God, if we would be sure it were always that good, we would never want to be without a workawayer anymore in our life!
Initially the idea was for them to stay with us for 3… read more
An unforgettable… read more
