Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
28 Nov 2023
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
17
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
Hi there. I live in a beautiful old stone house in Galicia, northern Spain. I moved here about 6 months ago to try to create a more humble, sustainable and simple life for myself. I am looking for singles or couples to come and stay, enjoy the stunning surroundings and help me with some restoration work around the house and maintaining the land. I grow most of my own organic veg and am a pretty decent cook. You can expect a very comfortable bed, good food, power (from solar) and water (both hot and cold). Otherwise life here is quiet and simple. There is lots of walking to be done nearby, river with fishing and swimming and a tiny local bar. Village is about 25 mins walk but I would be happy to provide the occasional lift. Phone reception is good and I do have decent internet access, although it is not unlimited.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Spanish would be helpful as the locals speak very little English. I am learning but mine remains pretty poor. Main attraction around here is the Camino Santiago, traversed by quite a few thousand pilgrims each year. Expect a very slow pace of life - population is quite old in general and not a huge amount goes on here. But if you want peace and quiet, tranquility and simplicity this is the place for you.
Help
help is generally pretty simple but physically moderately demanding. Pointing stonework, renovating beams, laying flooring, gathering and chopping firewood, maintaining gardens, that sort of thing. You do not need to be highly skilled or to have done this kind of work before as I can easily show you. You just need to be willing to muck in and help out.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
French: BeginnerThis 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
Small double room with an excellent bed. Use of kitchen, bathroom and living areas. Is a help yourself kind of environment. Happy to be sociable or just to leave you alone as you wish. Limited privacy as your room comes straight off lounge, but is fine. If you have a vehicle, come and go as you wish. If not, there is little to do around here, but I am happy to give the odd lift into Monforte or Ourense, the 2 largest nearby towns.
I am really very flexible about this. There will always be fruit, bread, nuts, cheese, salad stuff etc. around and you can help yourself as you wish. I will prepare hot meals every day, at least once, again depending on wishes and requirements. As far as I am concerned you are my guest and I will do my best to look after you. For myself I eat very little meat, but I do eat some. If you are a vegetarian that is no problem, vegan diets would be a little harder for me to cater to, but I am happy to learn.
What else ...
I am pretty tucked away here. There is a train every morning at 1130 which goes into Ourense and returns around 4. Always happy to drop off and pick up at local station and from time to time will drive you into Monforte or Ourense. Both are very nice towns with shopping, parks, restaurants/bars and various sights and attractions. Santaigo de Compostela is further away, but easily visited by train or bus from Ourense. This is a little visited corner of Spain - most people go South - but they are missing out on one of the loveliest parts of the world I have seen, and I have travelled a fair bit.
I live very near the confluence of 2 large rivers and so have views along 2 valleys. Lots of birds, lizards and insects like dragonflies and butterflies and the whole place feels like it is bursting with life during the spring and summer. Winters are cold and wet, but on the plus side heat comes from wood burner and open fire which I love - I spend many hours just sitting and staring at the flames.
Finally, if you are an early riser, I would request that you look after yourself in terms of coffee and breakfast as I tend to get up a little later, and go to bed pretty late. I am pretty easy going about most things, so any reasonable requests you may have I will do my best to accommodate.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (8)
Other than that Galicia has a nice scenery, of which there was a lot because Erik lives in a remote place with only few public… read more
After 2-3 weeks I felt confident that Max could look after the place by himself and took a few days to visit friends while he… read more
He lives in a beautiful, really quiet part of Spain.
His cats and chickens are hilarious and I really enjoyed his coking .
Thanks for having me there
Darius was pleasant company and a quiet, considerate houseguest.
I can recommend him as a good workawayer.
Really enjoyed the views and the weather. Erik's cooking skills are above average :), enjoyed his meals.
All in all I'm glad that… read more
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(5.0)
Other than that Galicia has a nice scenery, of which there was a lot because Erik lives in a remote place with only few public… read more
After 2-3 weeks I felt confident that Max could look after the place by himself and took a few days to visit friends while he… read more
He lives in a beautiful, really quiet part of Spain.
His cats and chickens are hilarious and I really enjoyed his coking .
Thanks for having me there
Darius was pleasant company and a quiet, considerate houseguest.
I can recommend him as a good workawayer.
Really enjoyed the views and the weather. Erik's cooking skills are above average :), enjoyed his meals.
All in all I'm glad that… read more
He also brought us every Friday to Monforte de Lemos… read more
The work they did was of a high standard and they always clean up… read more
He was a considerate house guest, got on well with the animals and really left… read more
The house is a great little stone house. It's not finished, but the room and bed are cosy and all facilities are available. The kitchen is well stocked!, the shower is warm and there's a wood fire for cold nights.
The house… read more
Julia proved herself to be completely reliable and trustworthy, a considerate houseguest, a good worker and very pleasant company.
I hope she will cone stay again sometime.
Furthermore, we enjoyed his personality which is the reason why we had lots of interesting discussions and liked to share our evenings… read more
