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Description
My name is Ellen. Two years ago I moved to the heart of the Belgium Ardennes. It is a hilly area (the highest mountain of Belgium is nearby), with beautiful forrests, rivers, not too much people, lots of local (organic) producers and quite some cows. I live in a tiny village without shops,bars, ... not even a bakery. You can find everything you need in the next village at 4 km's.
The house is more than 150 years old and takes you back in time, there are two big ateliers looking for a destination. The hilly garden is 0.5 ha and wants to become a food forrest/organic garden. There are cherrie, apple, prune, nut trees most off them very old and of native species. Also the strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and others are wild varieties. The garden has a tiny forrest, a pond and a shed that can be turned into an offgrid tiny house. I love to let nature go it's way where possible and that brought me free food and medicine's and an enormous biodiversity of plants and animals. (which reminds me that I live with 3 cats) Eating out of nature, making herbal oils and balms and creating a polyculture kitchen garden are my growing passions. Connecting with nature is connecting with yourself. Creating a healthy body and environment brings happiness. I love the small simple things in live. To afford all of this I do still work in the Flemish part of the country, where I was born. So I am native Dutch speaking. I speak English and my French is getting better every day. After several years of Spanish classes I do understand it, but speaking is getting rusty (would love a language exchange). In German I can help myself and will understand you most of the time.
I used to travel quite a lot but since I moved here, I do not really find the time and motivation to leave for a holiday. Living here feels like living on vacation and brings a lot of peace and rest. Meeting new people and learning from them is what I miss most about not going abroad. So in hosting you I see the perfect opportunity to feed my need for cultural and language exchange and meeting wonderful people.
I have a almost 20 years young son. He lives with his dad in Maastricht and is around every now and then for a weekend. Sometimes he gives me a hand, he lost the other one in an accident recently. He is strong and does whatever he can do, but that's still just three hands among us.
The space is too big for just one person and I hope to be able to share it with people who need and love to be outside and enjoy a slow and peaceful life.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
House & pet sitting
Interests
Sustainability
Pets
Self development
Farming
Writing
Plant care
Music
Languages
Gardening
Cooking & food
DIY & crafts
Books
Animals
Sailing / Boating
Mountain
Water sports
Outdoor activities
Yoga / Wellness
Nature
Camping
Dancing
Hiking
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Farmers, hunters and nature lovers in the area are proud off what they are doing. They share their knowledge and products on local markets and festivals. There are organised walks and forrest bathing is very popular. The authentic villages are small musea by theirselfes and the old churches are often used as exhibition spaces for local artist and photographers.
In the village we have a wood oven that is used every first saturday of the month to coock bread, cakes, pizza, stews and you can follow a workshop.
I have quite some topics in which I keep gathering knowledge, I love to study and teach. So shut me up about the things you are not interested in and tell me what you would like to know (and when).
Herbs, food as medicine, organical gardening, natural healthy living, the human body and holistic healing, meditation and yoga, breathwork, Sjamanism, natural gardening, psychology, ACT-therapy, energetic healing and massages, .... , and playing ukulele (beginner) are all things I studied or am teaching myself.
Any broadening on those topics is welcome and I am open to learn new things.
Help
The tasks you will be doing depend on the season, the weather, your qualities, skills and interests and the amount off money and time I have to spend on whatever project I decide to start helping on.
The days I am in Limburg to help you feed the cats, take care of the garden and some light tasks around the house. The other days we do tasks together on the project I am taking on at that moment. There is a lot to be done and extra hands are really welcome.
I would love to do tasks together as much as possible and share my plant knowledge with you (if interested).
I am happy to inform you more about the tasks that need to be done in the period you are planning to come. If you love cherries, be welcome at the start of summer. If you love apples, you better come at the end of summer.
I mostly go with the flow in what I decide to do that day, there is no hurry in finishing a project, and there are several going on at the same time. So that means a bit of chaos, but also a lot of freedom for me and you to do what we like to do and for you to have tasks that fit your interests, capabilities and motivation.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Spanish: IntermediateThis 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
You will be staying in a comfortable caravan or in the house (because I love staying in the caravan myself) I am also creating an outside camping space. The house and bedrooms are comfortable enough but not 'finished'. The bathroom has full comfort and a compost toilet is in the making.
If you come with your own van or mobile home that would be really handy. Feel free to discuss the comfort you need.
The days I am around I am happy to cook you a healthy meal and provide food according to your needs and wishes. We will find solutions for the days I am not there. Maybe you can prepare an evening meal for me when I come home after work as one of the tasks. The kitchen is packed with grains, nuts, oatmeal, herbs and food. I do eat meat but occasionally and from organic farmers. I have nothing against smoking if you respect the garden.
What else ...
In the summer season there is a lot to do in the area. Public transport is available, but limited. If you do not have a car, I can pick you up from the trainstation in Marche-en-Famenne, or the bus in Bastogne (FLixbus). I don't mind driving you somewhere in the weekend, doing something together (since I am also still discovering the area and activities) or you might borrow my car. I can maximum transport two extra people at the moment.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
I have a good functioning unlimites internet access. If the outside signal is not sufficient, you are welcome to work in the house. The view from the window in the working space is very soothing and makes me work quite productive. The 5G signal is very strong everywhere in the garden and house.
Space for parking camper vans
I do have a lot of space on the parking and there is enough shade.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Wica, Kambo and Casper
White Wica is a girl and just like Kambo 8 years old. Black Casper turns 17 this year. Three very spoiled chilled cats.
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