Stay with the family and help us get ready for non-profit nature events in Samsø, Denmark

Details

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  Description

  For 22 years my wife and I have lived in a lovely farm in Nordby Bakker, a nature conservation area, close to the sea. We share it with 3 ponies, 2 dogs, a bunch of chickens, and Pudding the cat. We have 4 children, all in their 20s, who come and go.
  My Grandparents had a most wonderful farm north of Copenhagen, and they and their farm meant the world to me. They took me out of the world I lived in as a shoolboy in London, and made me feel that it was there that I belonged. "Bedstefar" would always be ready with a story to start the day, that we listened to after we had crept up into the end of their bed, and every night ended with us being swung in to bed.
  I have reached a time in life when I want to put on Bedstefars shoes. After 36 years I am gearing down as a veterinary surgeon. In a Jungian manner I feel I have performed my duty to my surroundings, and now want to be true to myself.
  The farm is composed of 3 buildings, and has about an acre of land, so there is always something worth attacking. I love our garden. It is divided into 3 parts: a natural swimming pool up against the house, a permaculture forest garden to disappear into, and a vegetable garden. This year I will focus on the garden and the stable building, improve my cooking skills, and enjoy sailing the old Knarr, a lovely old wooden sailing boat we have in the local harbour. We have raised ponds in the courtyard, that I used to use for teaching fresh water biology. We have a wonderful stereo microscope for the purpose. Those ponds could also do with tidying up, and I am slowly working towards restarting non-profit nature-related retreats and events. I should mention that when I sold my veterinary clinic in London, I wanted a break, and started a nature centre here, which ran from 2005 to 2012, so in many respects I am going back in time rather than forwards.
  I am very enthuisiastic when it comes to identifying birds, all insects, and just anything that moves in our ponds or the sea. Since I started our forest garden the number of interesting insect species has just been increasing :-)
  
  You will be staying in one of our bedrooms, and joining in on all meals, and I hope you can spend 15-20 hours/week helping with the garden or handy tasks related to the non-profit nature centre side of things.
  Our (almost) daily routing starts at about 6 with a cup of tea, morning stretches, a bit of strength training, followed by a walk/ run along the shore, combined with a quick swim in the sea. Back for breakfast, and ready to start the day. If you want to join in on this routine you are very welcome.
  Thereafter we focus on the task of the day, and at lunch time, it is time to stop. Then you are free to do as you please. You can have dinner with us, or make a packed lunch and take it with you as you explore the island (we have bikes). The ponies will appreciate any attention you give them, and are good fun to ride, and we have 2 sea kayaks down on the beach that are just waiting to be used.
  
  Yours Christian

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Light gardening

  Animal Care
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  Interests

  

  Sustainability

  

  Pets

  

  Plant care

  

  Languages

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Gardening

  

  Books

  

  Art & design

  

  Animals

  

  Hiking

  

  Water sports

  

  Sailing / Boating

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Nature
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We live in a very beautiful and peaceful wild landscape, and are very interested in all the wildlife around us. If that appeals to you then I am sure you will fit in very well! If you are interested in wildlife, and gardening then I will very happily share knowledge along the way.
  
  Tamsin is from England, but speaks Danish, and I am Danish but grew up in London. We all like riding and sailing. You can see more of the place on our website (please ask us for the link).
  
  You are very welcome to join in sailing and horse riding. I will happily help / teach. Enjoying swimming would be useful trait, as we have both the pond in the garden, and a lovely sandy beach 500m from the house.

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  Help

  Helping me make our permaculture garden and ponds productive, and entertaining. Helping with small building projects around the property would also be helpful.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  Danish: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  German: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I would very much like to improve my German!
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  Accommodation

  Your own bedroom upstairs , next door to our daughter. The bed is built into the wildow cill, so there are wonderful views without having to get out of bed! There is a bathroom with toilet upstairs. It's a big house with 3 living rooms to retreat to.

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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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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We have a large carpark.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

  Svend and his girls (2 years)

  Daphne (4 years)

  adorable Shetland Pony

  Hala (17 years)

  White Islandic Pony

  Albert (18 years)

  Fell Pony

  Bella (11 years)

  Bichon Havanais

  Quincy (12 years)

  Schapendoes

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