Small farm and restoration project in the mountains of Cádiz, Spain

  • Favourited 215 times
  • Last activity: 16 Dec 2023

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least a week

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    WE'RE NOT TAKING VOLUNTEERS UNTIL AFTER THE SUMMER FOR HEALTH REASONS. Apologies to everyone that has sent enquiries recently. I'm trying to keep up with replies but that's the message.
    I have a 2ha farm and half-restored farm buildings in a beautiful rural area of hills and farms near the Sierra de Grazalema Natural Park. I produce my own olive oil, pomegranates, figs and oranges, and do the maintenance work, grow vegetables and work on rebuilding projects when I get time off from my job as a journalist. There's a mature garden which needs overhauling. I'm often here on my own but part of a close-knit Spanish-speaking community. My neighbours are all farmers who are doing interesting things too.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    General Maintenance
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    I'm English but all neighbours are Spanish and have worked the surrounding land for centuries. I've learnt a lot from them - about farming, nature, food, life - and so will any visitors. The area is quiet and deeply rural but close to two villages with plenty of cultural events (long walk, short drive) and a language school. We are just under 1hr from Jerez, 40 mins to Ronda and Arcos, and just over 1hr from Seville.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

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

  • Help

    Help

    Help would be appreciated with gardening and landscaping (watering, weeding, clearing ditches, creating a raised garden, planting, fencing, pruning) to maintenance (painting, plastering, chopping wood) and maybe fruit picking depending on the season. If you have any experience in carpentry, building, plumbing, electrical work or know about building outside ovens or designing compost toilets, even better!
    Some months I travel for work and so sometimes need mature, self-reliant, responsible house-sitters who can look after the farm, house, dog and cat for short periods.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    A big bed-sitting room with open fire and two beds, and sometimes a double room. Shared bathroom, shared kitchen, but plenty of outside space with tables and outdoor cooking in summer. I write for a living so it's best for people who are quite independent and like their own space. I don't have TV - unless you can put the aerial back up - but there are lots of books and DVDs. Internet access is steady but limited ie its for emails not streaming.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    This is a fantastic area to explore with good walks straight from the door, and river walks and mountain walks a bit further afield. Jerez, Ronda, Arcos and Sevilla are all easy day-trip distance. The nearest villages are Zahara de la Sierra (officially named one of the most beautiful in Spain) and Algodonales (famous for hang gliding). There's a reservoir nearby with kayaking available, and plenty of adventure companies offering canyoning.
    Although best with your own car or mountain bikes, even if I'm not here, it's easy to arrange lifts into Algodonales (15 mins drive away) and from there you have good bus routes.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 449687923684

Feedback (3)



Feedback

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Accuracy of profile: (5.0)

Cultural exchange: (4.3)

Communication: (5.0)