Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
8 Mar 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 4 days
Feedback
4
Email verified
Badges (1)
Details
Description
Please see calendar availablity in the first instance! Potentially we will be looking to host in March/April 2024.
======================
E-mails are generally checked every few days, but otherwise, we spend little time on this site.
Welcome. We are Russ & Jan a British couple enjoying a tranquil existence offgrid in the beautiful Spanish countryside with our two dogs. Flash and Roxy. Roxy was a stray Spanish hunting dog who just turned up one day and never left.
Our 10 acre olive finca whilst feeling entirely detached from the world is located only 3km from the traditional village of Maella in Aragon.
Our farm is in a bird protection area, on an elevated position so we get the most of the sun and on a clear day the views stretch to the Pyrenees over 100 miles away. You can walk/hike/cycle and explore endlessly here. We are (slowly) adding to the original property to make the home we want for us, our animals and visiting friends/family to enjoy. Animals are a big part of life here, you would need have an affinity with them as we do.
For visitors/workaways it's important to us that you feel welcome, happy and rewarded at our home. My wife will treat you better than me and the dogs get treated better than everyone lol.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We embrace a life surrounded by and at one with nature. No fuss, stress or agenda. It's a great environment to be in.
Above all, it should be a rewarding experience for both us and you.
It's great learning to do things differently/thinking outside of the box, building with natural materials is very satisfying, tempered with patience and learning different techniques. Solar was especially important to learn about, there are so many little things really that go into making life easier and more enjoyable throughout the changing year.
Being here you can develope an awareness, understanding and knowledge of how to get around and solve many things that confront you.
We eat meat but would like to improve our cooking skills with vegan food, we need to improve our Spanish and alternatively should you be looking to improve your English then we can help there.
Help
In general the physical challenge of the work that is a priority means we are not in a position to consider a single female workaway. We will consider a couple (M/F) though.
The priority of work changes with the seasons/weather.
Our aim is to blend the farm in with the beautiful natural landscape as best we can.
There are various construction projects, both internal/external and the general maintenance of the farm is what we are seeking assistance with.
You would need to be reasonably fluent in english, ideally have some DIY skills, be competent with power tools, if not then I will teach you.
More importantly have enthusiasm and an urge to learn and take pride in what you do. There is flexibility in the working hours/days.
It's not all work, important to have a laugh, beer and let your hair down occasionally.
Finca life is simple/outdoor and all the better for it. We are completely offgrid and use gas/solar/generator for what we need. To make life a little easier we have a full size washing machine and fridge freezer which is essential in the hotter periods and a hot shower.
We only have 3 rules. No drugs/politics/religion.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: 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
Your accommodation is most likely to be our friends finca a few minutes stroll away, it contains everything you need and you would all to yourself.
Alternative accommodation would be the room in the pics.
Meals are flexible, generally breakfast /lunch/dinner, hot or cold depending on time of year. Should you wish to take an excursion then we will provide a packed meal/drink for you.
You won't go hungry here.
What else ...
Maella is a slow 10 minute drive or cycle away, or a 35 minute walk.
The village provides a number of resturantes/bar's/cafe's/4 small supermarkets and a cinema.
Various fiestas take place throughout the year, August is an especially great time for them.
The village pool is handily placed at the end of our track and open June-Sept.
Maella has good public transport links by road/bus.
Caspe is 25km away and provides the nearest rail link.
Should you come to stay with, we will collect and later drop you off at the nearest bus/rail link.
Alcaniz is 50km away, good road/rail links. Motorland is at Alcaniz, I like to go watch motorsports there from time to time, you are welcome to join me when I visit.
Reus airport 110km/75mins drive.
Zaragoza airport 140km/90mins drive.
Barcelona airport 190km/3hrs drive.
Bus/rail links can get you from these airports to either Maella/Caspe/Alcaniz.
The coast is about 70 minutes drive.
On the finca itself I have a multigym, free weights, mountain bike, comercial cross trainer,table tennis, snorkling equipment, dart board, board games for fun/recreation. I have tennis equipment as well and there is a court at a village further out. TV/DVD and 100+ films.
If you like to hike and explore, the area here is great but for those who wish to challenge themselves a little more the Terra Alta mountain range runs along between us and the coast.
Very good mobile signal on the farm, should you need it you may have some internet access via my phone's hotspot, otherwise various wifi areas exist in the village.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have a good signal on the finca
Space for parking camper vans
There is room to park your vehicle on our finca.
Can possibly accept pets
We are accepting of dogs.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (2)
More a tradesman with knowledge and experience of many aspects of construction/renovation rather than a helpful amateur, backed up with a lets get it done attitude meant we achieved some real progress and got 2 big important tasks… read more
We almost ended up adopting him lol.
We worked when we needed to but also enjoyed the pace of living this life provides. We wish him well with residency, his new job and he's welcome back at weekends to make the mojitos and share the Sunday… 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:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
More a tradesman with knowledge and experience of many aspects of construction/renovation rather than a helpful amateur, backed up with a lets get it done attitude meant we achieved some real progress and got 2 big important tasks… read more
We almost ended up adopting him lol.
We worked when we needed to but also enjoyed the pace of living this life provides. We wish him well with residency, his new job and he's welcome back at weekends to make the mojitos and share the Sunday… read more
