Help us with our romantic place in Mariefred, Sweden

Details

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  Description

  Couples Only. We are an easy going Swedish couple living in our beloved romantic estate in Mariefred, 7km southwest of Stockholm with our Labrador Ida and Bichon Havanaise, Chula. We have two grown up kids who have left the nest and live in Sweden. We own and run an outdoor hard goods company in Stockholm. We manufacture and sell backpacks and paddle sports equipment, mainly kayaks, in more than 40 countries. We are away for a few days now and again. We are rarely away for more than one week at a time.
  
  We are reliable and relaxed. We love cooking, gardening, the outdoors and especially animals. There are 11 hektars of gardens, parkland, woods and grazing land. The 17 century estate with 3 main buildings with views over the nearby lake Mälaren, is about 0,5 km from lovely historical town of Mariefred where you can hang out with the locals in the picturesque village bar.
  
  Tomas has 3 classic cars and a classic boat from the 60s & 70s, if you enjoy tinkering around with classics there are plenty of opportunities.
  
  There are bicycles for our workawayers to use as you want. If needed you can borrow one of our cars drive off on short excursions. We also have kayaks and SUPs that can be used at any time.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  The area is rural Sweden at its best and there are bicycles at your disposal. Get to know local produce, pick up some Swedish and local culture. The area is absolutely stunning country land with rolling hills, beautiful forests and lake Mälaren just 300m away. As Mariefred is a popular tourists town, there are many things to see and explore.
  Stockholm is just 35 mins away by train and the lovely town of Strängnäs with everything you need, only 15 km away. We love hanging out and there is another family living on the property (Vivis sister, who is American and her husband who is french/american). Tomas is quarter Swiss amd grew up in Mexico and Switzerland, so there is lot’s of interaction between cultures.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  We are looking for couples who enjoy the outdoors, gardening and general maintenance of the buildings and woods surrounding our houses. Vivi is passionate about flowers and spends a lot of time gardening and Tomas is very practical working on the repairs and building projects. The estate comprises of 11ha, with 7ha of woods, a 2ha field and a spectacular 1ha garden with sprawling lawns filled with fruit trees, berry bushes, flower beds and a large kitchen garden. The woods are mainly old oaks and other leaf trees, and have been beautifully maintained during our 20 year stay at Mariehov. We do this ourselves, but helping hands are always welcome...
  
  We ask for couples as we travel. We feel it's a safety issue not to be alone while holding the fort. Also, it can get lonely by yourself. We prefer if you can stay at least 1 month, preferably more.
  
  The main task is to help out with the garden and park on the estate. Especially when we travel you need to keep the garden in shape. We seldom travel during summer other than over a weekend or week at the most. Tomas does some business travelling during summer. Therefore helping us cutting hedges, tending to bushes and trees, flower beds, moving some scrap and wood around. Also helping us with fences that might need your attention. No grass cutting is needed as we have a large mowing robot that cuts the grass 24/7, but edges will need some tending to and removing grass in gravel.
  
  When we travel, we usually have dog sitters for Ida and Chula, the dogs, but they would enjoy your love and supervision if you are able.
  If you are handy, or even better, have building skills there are lots of interesting projects you are free to take on. Like doors, windows etc etc. Its great to get help repairing the buildings, machines (classic cars) and so on.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  Swedish: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate
  French: Intermediate

  This 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.
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  Accommodation

  The accommodation is in a separate guesthouse, renovated in 2013, with combined kitchen and living room with a large sofa bed and also a bed room and bathroom with shower and washing machine. a separate outdoor area with garden furniture is connected to the guest house where you can barbecue. The kitchen includes a 2 plate stove, a separate small counter oven and a small refrigerator. Food can be purchased at the local supermarkets nearby (500m from the estate) and will be reimbursed. The lake Mälaren is just down a small pedestrian gravel road where you can jump in and enjoy a morning or afternoon swim from a private dock at the local boat club. The guest house has hi-speed wifi and has a large TV.

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  What else ...

  Mariefred is one of the oldest towns with preserved architecture and has one of Swedens most beautiful medieval castles (Gripsholms Slott). This year Mariefred is celebrating the 500 year anniversary of the Swedish king Gustav Vasa. There is plenty do see and do in the area, and Stockholm is only a 35 min train ride away from Mariefred.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  We have hi-speed internet (fibre) and your accommodations has its own wifi hub.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We have ample parking at the estate for a camper van

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  Can possibly accept pets

  We can accept owners with dogs, but the animal should be well trained and be able to interact with other dogs (ours).

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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