Spain
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Welcome, my name is Gabrielle. I hold a French and an American passport and have lived across 4 continents. In January 2000 I packed yet again a 40 ft container and relocated to Spain only because spoke the language and like warm climates and was then blissfully unaware of Spain’s very strong winds and chilly winters.
My only goal here was and remains to establish a distinctive Bed and Breakfast experience, one that is a welcoming home for myself, family, friends and visitors in a home filled with eclectic furniture and collectables handed down from family generations, own travels and life experiences so that each room has its own style and story to share.
The spectacular setting of this abandoned 10 hectares property above the alluring waters of Guadalest dam, ticked the box "location, location, location". The super bonus? 360 surround mountain horizons, scattered quaint villages and a glimpse at the Mediterranean Sea... Now after 2 decades of building, rebuilding, nonstop dedication, despite endless administrative or other ever so frustrating setbacks, more than ever I hope to fulfil my dream before I uproot myself again as I accept the need to move on for the property is very large and demanding on ground maintenance now am over 60.
For those interested, most important is to know the property is entirely "off grid". This means all electricity is supplied by solar panels/battery banks/ backup generators which results in consumption limitations. Spring water is piped and stored in a water quality tank for our house needs and rest transits in the "balsa" for ground use before overflows into the lake. In summer another solar panel system provides limited quantities of hot water for sanitary purposes and in winter a gasoil boiler provides equally limited quantities of hot water. During the cold months to heat sections of the buildings we stoke the wood burning stoves from the firewood another result of the heavy work of tree pruning and chainsawing to cut to storage size.
All outdoor tasks done on finca involves capacity for endurance to physical labor due to the hilly nature of our terrain and the seasonal heat/wind/cold factors.
The finca has also been a loving home to many abandoned/abused animals. We currently have 6 dogs, a house cat and a patio aviary with some 30+ parakeets. Hercules and Valentino, our 2 donkeys are free spirited ecological grass cutters and mulching machines who produce the fertilizer.
Many wild boars damage our grounds and destroy donkey/dog fencing so is constant monitoring of boundaries, with need to not only reenforce fences, but clear and restructure dead wood/overgrowth to prevent water erosion and landslides on top of expanding donkey grazing areas or garden.
I choose to live my life on the finca.
What others consider “daily hard work” is my joyful expression of life. This is certainly not a life style for everyone. For those drawn to a nature immersion with a creative labor intense day, the finca is a unique experience.
I am grateful for happy hard working extra hands interested in being part of making my visions a reality.
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
When I relocate I tend to embrace the unknown, status quo or labels unsettled me. I am high energy, creative, love colour, uniqueness and am passionate about giving old/discarded items a renewed right to glory. I have done "distress paint effects", “shabby chic”, “up cycling” and more, long before all became fashionable trends. I will gladly share my 40 years of techniques working with you so to turn more concepts into reality: indoors and out!
I am a “people person”, but absolutely need my time alone... with pets! I choose to actually live my own life verses endless theories of what life should be about. I love good humour, out of the box positive thinking and the puzzle solving approach. I never fail to appreciate the beauty and complexity of nature. I could no longer live in a city, even less in a grey "futuristic" world. Due to the world cultures and circumstances I have experienced, I do not endorse any single vision, philosophy or religion as the only established way.
Aside from the above, with my 20 years’ experience of working my way through the constantly changing labyrinths of the Spanish administrative systems (customs, property purchase, owner's rights, municipal permits, tourism rules and regulations etc..) I could possibly give insight on what to look out for as well as help improve English, French or Spanish language skills if needed.
To maintain grounds need experienced persons with competent knowledge of safe and proper use of mechanical tools such as chain saw, weed wackers as well as traditional manual tools.
On buildings inside and out have painting projects (standard painting to special effects), wood projects (antique furniture restoration to picture framing), sewing (soft decorative furnishings to upholstery), tiling projects (mosaic or standard), electrical indoor and outdoor, plumbing for gravity fed irrigation from
balsa.
This is certainly not a beginner's site. We truly require some genuine competent knowledge, experience with proper use of the quality tools we have.
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Fluent
. For Workaway guests we have a 1 30m2 studio like open plan individual casita (single or double occupancy) with kitchenette and bathroom.
Bed and bathroom linens are supplied with weekly clothes washing facilitated.
Will facilitate a weekly grocery restocking to maintain basic condiments, tea/coffee/milk, bread/oats, butter/peanut butter/jam, pasta/rice/potatoes, legumes/eggs and seasonal fruit and veggies. Beverages, meat/fish and extra quantities are guests' responsibility and meals are self catering by Workawayers.
We cannot insist enough on the imperative need to respect our “off grid “energy usage requirements. This means learning to live with reduced or limited electricity, heating and water consumption.
We request no Smoking/pets inside bedrooms and specifically stipulate "no drugs" or heavy drinking on the property.
Work hours/Days: 5 hours per day --- 5 days per week
Schedule may vary according to tasks and weather and generally in morning. Evenings are always free R&R time.
The property is large. The buildings and grounds have been designed to optimise privacy. The Guest House residents have exclusive use of their terraces.
In and around the main house and its adjacent terraces, we kindly request respect of our privacy, as our dogs consider these areas their “base camp” and "duty to guard".
Depending on your own activity level and supplying your needed related equipment, the following is available:
Hiking: ample selection, long or short trails, with varying levels of challenge or upkeep.
Cycling: requires strong ability for hill climbing and need for own bicycle.
Fishing: catch is carp, rumours of black trout.
Water activities: Experienced swimmers can enjoy our "balsa" a deep garden water holding tank, and/or adventure into open water swimming in the dam at own risk.
Guadalest swimming pool a 20 min walk away only available in July/August for a daily fee. Its adjacent short basket ball court/soccer area is free and opened year round.
Rock climbing: 2 marked routes right on public swimming pool road.
Socialising: the local villages offer cafes&bars, restaurants, markets& shops. They have seasonal hours and activities. Most villages are easily accessible along footpaths (30min minimum walk). The local villages are fairly active in summer months but a bit lost town feeling out of public holidays the rest of the year.
Transportation: There is very little public transport available within the valley of Guadalest.
Private taxis can be arranged from Benidorm though tariff is based on driver’s round trip fare.
Long distance buses are available to Alicante, Valencia, their airports and other destinations. The Alicante airport is an hour away/ Valencia airport 2 hours away with a low cost airport or main city shuttle bus between them and Benidorm main bus depot (with prior notice we will gladly collect you from there).
The reality of the Guadalest valley is that having your own transportation is best. This allows you to explore further afield be it the interior towns, or the coast with its beaches and better known tourist attractions (Aqualandia, Terra Mitica). Our fenced ample open air parking areas accommodate cars, motorcycles or small campers.
Nearest medical care is 30 minutes away. We request anyone staying at las Palmeras to carry adequate travel or other medical insurance valid for your stay in Spain.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
This host can provide space for campervans.
Two
Maximum 5 hrs/day, 5 days a week
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