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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
12 Jul 2023
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Description
NOTICE: we are only receiving volunteers from 15 July 2023 to 23 July 2023 at the moment !
Hi,
I am Véronique and together with my son Matthias we welcome you in a beautiful natural setting,
We live in a rather small village in the Belgian Ardennes in the countryside. The house is a passive low-energy house which does not need much heating in winter because it is so well insulated.
The land was a pasture when me and my husband first bought it. Through the years it transformed into a natural abundance. Firstly the permaculture garden was created and soon after a natural swimming pond, greenhouses and a developing food forest followed. A few years ago we gained land across the street and turned it into an orchard.
Now the land brings us more food and houses much more life.
I was a biology teacher and business owner together with my husband. We moved here after selling our business to have a more tranquil life. Sadly enough my husband passed away in 2021. But his presence still remains here and is in all that he helped create. I love to work with plants and spend most of my days outside and in the garden. I also preserve food and make my own soap and herbs. A few times a week I go out and enjoy Yoga, Pilates and/or Nordic walking.
Matthias contributes to the place with his handiness. He loves being and working in the food-forest, eats wild edibles on the go, uses low tech tools like the scythe to cut the grass, likes woodworking and building things, etc... His main job is related to the web, design and programming.
Saar lives here too, a black Labrador(ish) dogs. Apart from her, there are chickens that roam the food forest and fish that could tickle your toes when swimming in the natural pond. Oh and I almost forgot Sunny the cat.
We aim to live a healthy life, we do not drink (coffee, alcohol), do not smoke, or take drugs and try to avoid sugar (hard one sometimes!). We eat mainly vegetarian but occasionally meat or fish is consumed. We go to bed rather early and get up early, especially when the days are hot.
As goes for the surrounding; The Ourthe, a well known river in the Ardennes, is just a small walk away. Plenty of forest is nearby which make for wonderful hike opportunities. Saar will love to tag along. 🐾Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareFarmstay helpCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceUN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Véronique: I have gardened practically all my life and can share lots about it; ecological gardening principles, seeding, planting, processing the harvest, pruning. Also preserving such as drying herbs, making fruit leathers, canning sauces, ... Making soap, flue tinctures, juice from our grapes, etc. All this depends very much on the season though. I sew and repair clothes or make my own pillow sheets etc.
Matthias: I can share and have experience with community living, creative coding for the web, scything, permaculture, food-forests, general handiness, woodworking, travelling alternatively, van living, yurt living, bike travel, general handiness, bush-crafting, foraging and basic wild edible knowledge, self explored piano, banjo, ukulele, basic sewing (repairing and making my own needs) ...Help
🌱 Mainly the garden needs help, such as weeding, planting, mulching, tiding up the paths and borders, harvesting vegetables and fruits.
🌳 Also the food-forest can use help, with tending to the trees, preparing planting regions for next season etc...
Bear in mind that the kind of outside chores depend a lot on the weather and also on the season.
🧹 Once in a while we also tidy up the place, like organising stuff and building materials in a better fashion.
🧰 Tending to that which needs help; like fixing fences, repair a shovel handle, etc..
🐔 Tending to the chickens, collect the eggs, giving food in the morning, clean up, opening the hatch towards the food forest etc...
🪓 There are plenty of outside chores that can involve physical work. Like pushing wheelbarrow, digging, etc...
🐶 🐟 The dog, and the fish need food on a regular basis, so also this you could do.
🥕 Cooking meals, setting the table, doing the dishes
🧹 Cleaning the house, or more so keeping it clean!
🌺 Maybe you like to tidy up our fireplace, make it more cosy, or see other ways to make the place more beautiful.
✨ Maybe there are things calling to you. By which you can contribute with your own specific skill set. Like cooking a really nice meal, or repairing, cosy-fying, teaching, ...Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Dutch: FluentThis 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.Accommodation
There is a small attic above our garage, a room with bunk beds and a guest room. Depending on the situation you will find yourself sleeping in one of these. It is possible you have to share that space with others. We will make sure you have a mattresses and a pillow, but it would be very helpful if you can bring your own sleeping bag and liner.
It is also possible to tent out in the food-forest, a rather nice place to be.What else ...
TRANSPORT
- The nearest train station is approx 30minutes by car (Marloie). Pickup from and to the station can be arranged.
- There is a bus stop in front of the house, so you could visit the city Bastogne on your free time if you like.
TIME OFF
- At home you'll find there is a piano, banjo, cajon, guitar 🎵
- The nature surrounds us, so if you like walks or trail runs, you can do so. 🌲🥾 Also the dogs would love to join you. 🐶
- Visit beautiful La Roche, Marche-en-Famenne or Bastogne, 3 closest cities . 🏙
- Have a swim in our natural pond. 💧
- There are plenty of books to read at our library 📚
- have a snooze in a hammock at the food forest 💤 🌳
- have a day hike around Lake Nisramont
- there is a special energetic place a small walk away called the "Big White Stones" which is connected to a legend.
SLEEPING
It is helpful if you could take your own sleeping bag or liner with you.
FOOD DIET
We mainly have a vegetarian diet and occasionally we eat a bit of meat/fish. Vegans are welcome but we are not vegan.
So it would be nice If you can enrich us with your way of cooking.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Can possibly accept pets
Pets are welcome if they are known to be calm and relaxed around other animals. Such as our free running chickens, dogs and cats.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Around 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (6)
She helped us out with a variety of different chores in the garden, the foodforest and in the house. She is a strong worker and does not sway from doing heavy work. She pro active, responsible and well balanced when it comes to work and taking her own… read more
They are both super kind people that have made me feel welcome from the start. The place they have created is amazing and diverse, with a food forest, chickens, a pond to… read more
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
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Communication:
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She helped us out with a variety of different chores in the garden, the foodforest and in the house. She is a strong worker and does not sway from doing heavy work. She pro active, responsible and well balanced when it comes to work and taking her own… read more
They are both super kind people that have made me feel welcome from the start. The place they have created is amazing and diverse, with a food forest, chickens, a pond to… read more
And always .... always follow your feeling & soul .
Anthon and Veronique are really nice and kind people, they made me feel like at home from the very begining =D They are really brave to… read more