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Off grid living and permacuture in Asturias, Spain

  • Last activity : 27 Apr 2025

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Hi, I am Andreas, I am an adopted Asturian, originally from the Netherlands.

    I live off grid, and a bit isolated in Asturias a few km from the coast. We have a food forest and farm along permaculture lines. In addition we are restoring some old houses on our land. The farm is located roughtly midway between the towns of Mones and Ballota, but behind the mountains.Our village is more or less deserted and very beautifull. Lots of old stone houses and walled fields.

    For volunteers we have built a little temporary wooden cabin (tiny house) and there is a separate cabin shared by volunteers and the odd pilgrim on the route to Santiago. We have a compost toilet, a wood heated hot shower and even a sauna! So living is more or less comfortable, even in winter.

    At the moment we have a dog, chickens and cats. Hopefully we get more in future, maybe a pig or sheep.

    The help on the main house is typical construction stuff. I use a lot of natural materials from the environment, recycled material and sometimes new stuff. It is a good opportunity to learn about building stone walls, woodwork, working with machines, electricity, solar power, etc etc. If you are a specialist maybe I can learn from you :)

    The farming effort is subsistence farming with focus on fruit trees, berries, a vegatable garden in three parts, shitake mushroom cultivation etc.

    I speak English, Dutch, Afrikaans :), and crooked Spanish (getting better all the time I hope). Work is hard when we work but there is enough time to relax, explore the environment and do other stuff. (5 hours x 5 days is the guideline).

    The minimum time to stay is around two weeks. If the click is good longer term volunteering is possible, especially if you have the idea to start your own place.

    For long term volunteers (maybe even a small family) we can skipper a bit to accommodate a local or online job. We can work out the details together.

    A little note: I integrate you as best as I can, this means that I sometimes take you along to friends etc. It is important for me that you value this and are actually looking for this kind of experience.:)

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Animal Care
    Farmstay help
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    General Maintenance
  • Interests

    Interests

    Culture
    Technology
    Van life
    Sustainability
    Self development
    Farming
    Water sports
    Beach
    Camping
    Dancing
    Hiking
    Mountain
    Yoga / Wellness
    Animals
    Books
    DIY & crafts
    Carpentry
    Cooking & food
    Gardening
    Drawing & painting
    History
    Plant care
    Music
    Languages
    Nature
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    English, Dutch, Spanish, permaculture, construction, farming shitakes, building with stone, electricity/offgrid/alternate energy etc. While you are here you are part of our/my family so we go to the beach, visit friends, take walks, go mushroom hunting etc.

  • Help

    Help

    Current running projects are:
    1. Restoring the old stone houses/basic construction
    2. Permaculture/gardening activities
    3. Clearing and preparing land for permaculture activities

    Obviously I will ask you to lend a hand with some other loose tasks as well :)..

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    Afrikaans: Fluent
    English: Fluent
    Spanish: Fluent
    Dutch: Fluent

    This host offers a language exchange
    My English is excellent. My Spanish is not that great but we have a lot of Spanish friends and neighbours which we frequently visit. I would love to learn Russian next.

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    Wooden cabin (Tiny house), compost toilet, off grid, outdoor shower (beautifull, with hot water! but fresh in winter :).).
    Volunteers have a separate very nice and spacious cabin.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    Asturias is very beautifull, lots of mountains, the ocean, hearty, good and affordable food etc. A hidden paradise. We are a gem in this paradise.

  • 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

  • Can host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    If you are a digital nomad I can accommodate you. Please coordinate this with me as there are some restrictions.

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    You can park your van at various spots. Van paradise...

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    Dog.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

Host ref number: 491866481923

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Photos

Two people stand outside a small, rustic wooden structure with a moss-covered roof, situated in a wooded area, surrounded by trees and foliage.
The image depicts a small tree with vibrant red leaves, situated in a grassy area surrounded by other trees and bushes, set against a blue sky with white clouds.
The image depicts a serene rural landscape featuring several stone houses and outbuildings nestled among lush greenery and trees on a hillside.
A man stands beside a stone structure with a wooden frame on top, surrounded by trees and hills in a rural setting. The scene appears to be a construction or renovation project.
The image depicts a breathtaking mountainous landscape at sunset, with vibrant pink and orange hues illuminating the sky above lush green mountains and valleys.
The image depicts an older man with white hair, sitting on a chair, holding a dog, wearing a green jacket, muddy boots, and khaki pants, in front of a stone wall and wooden door.
The image depicts three men standing in front of a stone wall in a grassy field, with a mountainous landscape in the background on a sunny day.
The image depicts a lush garden with a teepee structure, featuring a variety of green plants and vegetables, situated in front of a rustic wooden building with a green roof.
The image depicts a wooden-framed structure under construction, featuring a sloping roof covered with a blue tarp, surrounded by trees and foliage in a wooded area.
The image depicts a man standing on a tarp covered in grass and leaves, with trees in the background, wearing camouflage clothing and holding a hat.
The image depicts a rugged coastline with rocks and trees, shrouded in a thick fog that obscures the distant horizon.
The image depicts a serene rural landscape featuring three stone buildings with red roofs, nestled among lush green trees and grassy fields.
The image depicts a brown bull standing in a lush green field, with trees and a hill in the background, set against an overcast sky.
The image depicts a serene mountainous landscape with lush greenery, featuring trees, grassy fields, and a few buildings, set against a rugged rocky backdrop.

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