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21 Apr 2024
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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.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
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.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
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.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
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.
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. support@amathus.com / sales@letsgotours.com
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 info@bazbus.com. 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.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
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.
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.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
