Organic smallholding homestead in the Sunshine Coast, South Africa

Details

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  Description

  Come join me, Sylvia (62) on a start-up of a Homesteading work-in-progress project towards Homesteading in a coastal environment. Planting orchards, vegetables & herbs in a natural coastal environment in the Eastern Cape close to Port Alfred. A beautiful climate, frost free, malaria free, bilharzia free area filled with game farms, hikes, horse riding & beach walks. We are a family run small farm with vegan interests, clean living, hard working, non partying folk. We don't do alcohol, drugs, vaping, partying or smoke indoors. Health is our focus and I grow a diverse range of plants in an amazingly naturally diverse landscape. Up early in the morning for the aviaries to be opened so the birds can enjoy the garden & end the day by 10pm. You will be expected to help with farm chores such as planting plants, weeding, fixing fences, maintenance on buildings, DIY, irrigation & general farm chores all as work-in-progress in exchange for free accommodation in a 90m2 cottage close to the main house, freshly baked bread, lentil stews or curries & salads & seasonal fruits . I'm vegetarian so there is no eggs, meat, chicken, fish or any flesh foods. You may supplement your diet yourself. All on solar, off-grid & a close to nature life-style. This is for nature lovers. Families with children & 1 or 2 people at a time are welcome. There is limited space. The farm is not bordering on the coast line or beach or river but is 3 - 4 km inland so beach outings are restricted to 2 or 3 trips per week unless you walk or someone else is going there. You do have to supplement your own foods & pay for surfing, canoeing, kyaking, horse riding & scuba activities.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Travellers will experience homesteading as a work-in-progress project. Planting orchards, vegetables & herbs ( no domestic farm animals, I'm vegan ) in a natural coastal environment in the Eastern Cape close to Port Alfred. A beautiful climate, frost free, malaria free, bilharzia free area filled with game farms, hikes, horse riding & beach walks. The Indian Ocean and many rivers offer swimming, boating, surfing, windsurfing, scuba, snorkeling, angling, diving, canoeing, biking and bird watching. It's a historically rich area with forts, old buildings & fishing village feel. There are golf courses, restaurants, hotels & many community activities. You will learn about homesteading, plants & herbs, how to live off grid . I'm vegetarian so do not keep cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, rabbits or any farm animals. No eggs, meat, chicken, fish or any flesh foods. All on solar, off-grid & a close to nature life-style. Very little socialising opportunities. This is for nature lovers. Travellers will have to supplement their diet with meats, chickens, fish, eggs & extras from their own finances. You will have an opportunity to experience living in a natural coastal environment while helping with Homesteading projects.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  Travellers will be expected to help with various farm chores such as planting plants, weeding, watering the veggies, fixing fences, putting up wire mesh & DIY maintenance on buildings, irrigation & general farm chores 4-5 hours per day Monday to Friday except weekends, in exchange for free accommodation in a 90m2 cottage close to the main house. Cottage has 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, a lounge with fireplace, a small kitchen & a scullery. Painting & renovating the cottage & main house is a constant work as we have high salt content in the air & humidity. The house & cottage are on solar off-grid & on borehole water. I'm vegetarian so there is no eggs, meat, chicken, fish or any flesh foods. You can buy, cook meat foods & wash up yourself if you need them . All on solar, off-grid & a close to nature life-style. This is for nature lovers.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  Travellers will stay in a 3 bedroom 90m2 cottage with bathroom & kitchen facilities close to the main house which is on solar has cold running water & cooking on a gas stove. I have a gas geyser for the cottage but it needs to be installed. Basic meals will be offered at the main house consisting of freshly baked bread, lentil stews or curries & salads & seasonal fruits with oats & maize meel & toast for breakfast . I'm vegetarian so there is no eggs, meat, chicken, fish or any flesh foods. You can buy, cook meat foods & wash up yourself if you need them . This is for nature lovers. Hot water is heated through a gas geyser or heated on the stove. A solar, off-grid & and rural life-style. Cell phone signals work here at times. There is internet on cable, not so fast as in the city. Only 6Mps download speed. No wi-fi. Enough for basic communication.

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  What else ...

  You will be expected to get to Kleinemonde or Port Alfred by yourselves as I have a small little 2 seater pickup which is not going to manage more than 3 people.
  
  1/ EZSHUTTLE : 0861 397 488 There is a shuttle that runs between the airports in East London or Port Elizabeth.
  
  2/ Let's Go Tours : also offers transport between Port Elizabeth -> Port Alfred -> East London . TEL NO. +357 22 716350 · EMAIL. [email protected] / [email protected]
  
  3/ The BazBus : is a traveller bus that allows you to hop on & off at your choice of stops on their 3 main routes Cape Town -> Durban -> Johannesburg -> Cape Town. ( Phone number is 021 422 5202 (or +27-21-422-5202 from phones outside South Africa ) Baz Bus email is [email protected]. There you will meet other travellers.
  
  There are many game farms, Blue Flag beaches, surfing, scuba, sailing, canoeing, horse riding, nature walks on trails or beaches, bird watching & game reserves. The game reserves you have to pay to get in. There is much to see & enjoy. All of the above are not free & you will have to pay for the facilities offered. Access to beaches & beach walks are free. I do not keep canoes, kayaks or surf boards, they are to hire at various outlets. This is not a free holiday, you will have to pay for sporting activities & supplement your own food if you wish to eat more than the basic vegetarian menu.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  There is plenty of space around the cottage or main house for camper vans. Also for turning around & if you wish to camp, although the cottage is really nice to stay in.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Well behaved dogs are welcome but will have to be on a lead at times so we can see they do not chase after ducks, geese, chickens, cats, donkeys or horses. The cottage is on an equestrian estate & proper socialising, conduct & obedience must be observed. Swimming for dogs in the farm dam is always a joy & walks on the beaches (with lead) is a wonderful experience. We love well behaved dogs but don't want them on the sofas or bed or chairs. We love cats too but they may be challenged by our domestic & wild cats.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

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