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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
15 Apr 2024
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Details
Description
Our place is set in the Paraiso Natural of Asturias, in the northwest of Spain. The ancient estate/smallholding comprises 12 hectares of meadows and woodland. The property is Eco Certified (COPAE) as per January 2023.
We, Tom (63) and Cecile (56), (Dutch) hold University degrees, published books, worked in complex knowledge intensive organisations and for-profit companies and as self-employed consultant/coach. We realised this urban way of living is inherently unsustainable and decided to actively take responsibility for a tiny piece of the natural world. We know what it takes to make choices and are happy to share our experiences and guide others on their path of finding meaning in life.
We manage our project as a Farm for the Future, using as little carbon as possible and trying to promote biodiversity. A flock of local heritage breed Xalda sheep help us to regenerate the pastures. Cecilia is developing her skills to work with the wool, like spinning and felting. Of course we have chickens, ducks, geese and dogs.
We live in a privileged location: quiet while very well connected to towns, beaches and natural parks. Several walks and hikes start right at our front door.
We aim to create a quiet and open environment for people to feel respected in, to learn and to explore. We see ourselves as generally quite sociable persons but we also need our downtime.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You’ll share our fusion homestead /small holding lifestyle. If a self-sufficient life is a dream for you, your stay may help you to build realistic expectations. We are open to share our thoughts and dilemmas in the decisions we have and had to make on our path.
After years of off-grid life with a solar panel and a battery, however back connected to the grid now, we are very conscious of the defining role energy plays in modern society. Many conversations with Workawayers have focussed on the need to reduce energy consumption to 1960 levels.
In 2024 we will dive deeper into the theories and practices of Holistic Management.
On a practical level, you can learn about sheep, wool, gardening, raising chickens, burning a woodstove along all other sorts of humble things going on at the farm. We’ve been studying zen and yoga for many years and practice samu while mucking out the stable or going through the daily chores. We can point out directions if your aim is to do the same.
Help
We’re looking for one more volunteer in July (two weeks: dates 1-13).
June and juli will be months of the potato, fruit and hay harvest. We will prepare marmalades, ice cream and more such goodies while there’s still plenty of work in the garden. Daily chores might include preparing and moving shadow spots for the sheep.
The regular chores in and around the house include checking pastures, cleaning and repairing fencing, taking care of the livestock, cleaning and cooking. There’s always some repairs to do and we keep an ever expanding list of projects.
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Dutch: FluentThis 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
There is a separate floor for guests with 2 lovely bedrooms and a (new) bathroom (featuring a compost toilet).
You’ll live in a traditional ancient house (parts AD 1664, parts much older), where we only (can) heat up max 2 rooms with wood stoves. So from Oktober to April you'll prefer to dress in thermal layers to stay comfortable. Usually our guests adapt pretty quickly but for most it is a stretch at first.
We offer diverse and healthy meals. We have been eating vegetarian and Micobiotic (mainly vegan) in other stages of life but decided that adhering to a principled diet might be just another form of consumerism. Our goal is to ecologically produce 80% of food, meat, fruit and veggies for 4 persons.
We adhere to a daily routine that includes breakfast around 8:00, lunch at 14:00, and supper around 20:00.
We expect Workawayers to share the regular chores in an extended household.
What else ...
Asturias, natural paradise, is the place for visiting spectacular beaches, mountains, for kayaking, running, cycling, surfing, fishing and good food. It is also a region rich in cultural heritage. The main cities of Oviedo and Gijón are easily reached by bus.
We are at 3 kilometers from the nearest market town of Arriondas and 15km from several beaches. There are 2 bikes that can be used to go and explore the direct surroundings.
We encourage volunteers to use their time of to go out and enjoy our lovely area.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Yes.
Space for parking camper vans
Small sized trucks and regular delivery vans arrive without any problem. Contact us if your camper is huge and/or you fear its motor doesn’t have enough power.
Can possibly accept pets
We are open to discuss this possibility. We have dogs.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (15)
Tom & Cecile, you are very special people and I am… read more
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Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.9)
Tom & Cecile, you are very special people and I am… read more
I spent about two weeks with them and we had some deep, interesting conversations, I learned about what they are actually trying to do in their land and from their experience with… read more
I didn't realize when I arrived here (after several months of travel and two other work exchange jobs) how badly I needed a place to feel… read more
Ava has been helping us with pretty much everything from shearing sheep, scouring fleeces, and trimming hooves… read more
They took me to places that were difficult to get to without a car, helped me to run errands and even treated me to lunch at a nice restaurant on… read more
From the moment I arrived and during my whole stay they made sure I was well and confortable. Cecile and… read more
Even though the work on a farm can be physically demanding, it was always… read more
I could enjoy some… read more
Winter life at the homestead is not as comfortable as an urban one (the house can get cold and… read more
