Profile information
Host rating
85 %
Last replied
6 Feb 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
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Details
Description
I am a cultural historian, and retired professor of museology who lives with my dog on an island that is part of Nagu (in Finnish Nauvo) in the vast southwest archipelago of Finland - where I have my swedish speaking roots. There is one ferry along the route from Turku, and a bridge over to my island.
Ex-husband and 3 grown up kids live in Helsinki and Stockholm. My place is a typical old fishermens' and seafarers' wooden cottage, bulit in 1847 by the shore, with a wonderful view. A jetty in the small bay, and a couple of boats, nd a kayak. On the 3 acre property there is also an old sauna (from where nice to take a dip in the cold sea), a comfortable guest house, another guest house in building process, a couple of outhouses/dry closets and a large storage building from the 18th century.
OBSERVE! there is NO shower nor water closet! just the sauna and outhouses. And the sea of course, the biggest bath tub ever!
I speak Swedish, Finnish, English, German and a little bit of French.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The southwest archipelago, as well as almost all regions along the coasts of Finland are mainly Swedish speaking area with its own, sea bound culture, different from the Finnish. This has historical reasons since the times Finland was part of Sweden (13th century to 1809). Here, one can get aquainted with the old coastal way of life and traditions. You can learn a bit of Swedish or Finnish and the host can guide you in the histroy and culture of Finland and Sweden.
In spring, there is not (yet) very much cultural activities other than perhaps some concerts, so you have to be a person who enjoys a stay in a fantastic milieu and nature, extraordinary landscape with the thousands of small and big islands and birdlife.
And enjoy peace and quiet.
Help
Firstly, I need craftsman help with finishing the new guest house which is 15 m2 : insulation of seiling and walls on the inside, building a small terrace/deck with a couple of stairs outside the entrance, painting of floor and the whole cabin, walls oustide. This should be done between April 11 to May 23 or June 2d to 20th. Estimated time for the job 7 days, depending of time used per day. Two persons would do it faster, of course.
Secondly, there is a few more things needing craftmanship, such as to repair a wall on the main building (inside, but it is a forme facade) and put up some cornishes, insulate a door, and such. In the attic of the main building there is a refurbished room which should be finished (paint, mainly).
On the property there is also an earthen cellar that is waiting for repair.....
As for help with the garden and grass meadows around the house, the period is from beginning of May to mid June. Making flower beds, moving earth, fixing a compost, planting, cutting grass...
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Swedish: Fluent
French: Intermediate
Accommodation
accomodation is the guest house (25 m2) with a loft and it's own pentry/kitchen and own outhouse. Very comfortable double bed and mattresses on the loft. Electric radiators.
In the main building there is a big room with a view, and or a room in the attic.
The host will provide food and groceries, breakfast and at least one warm meal a day.
What else ...
You may get around on bicycle (there is two), car (my) or boat or go hiking a little with the kayak. The place lies a bit isolated, not in the middle of any village, which is 2 km:s away. To the main village of Nauvo it is 15-16 kilometers and that is where the medieval church and all grocery stores and most restaurants are. Host will take you there for a sightseeing by car or by boat., and show you around Nauvo and its neighbor Korpo - both "main" islands in this wast archipelago.
I am a new host and have no previous experience whatsoever in this, but looking forward to try it. I am a social person and usually get along very well with all sorts of people. In the evenings one can sit by the fire inside or bonfire outside and enjoy a cup of tea or a glass of wine. There is an old guitar in the house.
I am a person who goes early to bed and early up. my dog Zorro is a very friendly creature, a socalled cockerpoo.
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.
Can possibly accept pets
cats and dogs. I have a male dog which does not always get along with other males
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
