Join us on our land and experience Laconia, Greece

Details

• 

  Description

  Kalimera, we are an Austrian couple living in Lakonia, in a small village located in between Molaio and Neapoli. The seaside is just 1 ½ km walking distance (downhill) away.
  
  For several years we are taking care about a long time neglected 1,5 ha huge olive grove.
  
  We are not certified organic but try to be ecologically sounded – we have solar power and don’t use insecticides, and do use organic fertilizer.
  We especially are looking for helpers for collecting olives from October to November.
  During this time we usually work 3 to 4 consecutive days throughout the day to bring olives quickly to the mill. After 2 to 3 relaxing days we restart the collecting.
  
  Our field is just 1 km outside the village of Daimonia where we have a small house, and an apartment in an adjacent courtyard. Our house always need some maintenance as cleaning, sanding and coating the wooden windows and door, plastering and jointing the outer facades, sealing and painting.
  
  In return for up to 25 hours help each week we provide accommodation, food and will show you around the area.
  You should like cats, but please don’t bring any pets with you.
  
  In the evening we like cooking for dinner together with our helpers in order to have a cultural exchange. Food includes fish, meat, varieties of vegetables from our garden and from the market, and a wide range of Austrian, Arabian and Greek dishes.
  
  We speak German, English, French, and some Greek and some Arabic.

• 

  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
• 

  Interests

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Farming

  

  Politics / Social justice

  

  Culture

  

  Books

  

  Music

  

  Languages

  

  History
• 

  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We were working in tourism, we travelled a lot, and once settled, we love to receive helpers from all over the world to exchange experiences.
  And we are ready to guide you around – see places of interest as the watermill in Talanta, the castle of Monemvassia, the ancient sunken city of Asopos at Plytra, the Island Elafonissos and many more hidden treasures.

• 

  Help

  Dear friends and volunteers,
  as indicated we take a rest during the hot summer months, and cannot host any helpers in July or August.
  We usually start cleaning the field in September, we have to get rid of all stingy plants and twigs on the ground in order to put the nets later on without any damage.
  We are planning to start collecting the olives middle of October and doing several rounds during November, and we are more than happy about your support.
  Once the harvest season is over, we have to cut the branches and put the smaller ones into the woodchipper, spread organic fertiliser, and repair some terraces.
  --
  
  We usually are working daily a couple of hours to clear the undergrowth, lop and pruning the old trees.
  
  We use hand-tools as secateurs, pruning shears and saws, and, in case you are handcrafted skilful and probably have some experience, you could help us to cut some bushes. You should be willing to trimming and pruning the largest trees, and stack firewood for next winter.
  --
  
  So don't hesitate to contact us when you are around, or you want to stay with us, helping for a couple of days, or weeks.
  ================
  
  You are welcome to participate in treating our olive grove. We always share our experience, and are happy if you are providing special skills. Just bring a good mood and temper with you – so every day offers new horizons.

• 

  Languages

  Languages spoken
  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent
  Arabic: Beginner
  Greek: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  You could practice your German and we are always interested in improving our other foreign languages
• 

  Accommodation

  We offer accommodation in our adjected apartment, equipped with a bathroom, kitchenette, sleeping room with double size bed and a living room with one large bed.

• 

  A little more information

  • 

    Internet access

  • 

    Limited internet access

  • 

    We have pets

  • 

    We are smokers

  • 

    Can host families

• 

  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

• 

  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

• 

  My animals / pets

  BiPol

Website Safety