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1 Sep 2025
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Description
Hello, I am Frank and I need some help! Come and discover a different way of life!
I live with my family in rural, peaceful Andalusia (see the 'What Else' section) in cave houses and a little vegetable farm,
There are opportunities to get involved in varying projects here, which may include vegetable gardening, DIY, maintenance, cooking, helping with our animals etc.
If you have never stayed in a Spanish cave house, put your preconceptions aside (we're not the Flintstones, nor are there dripping stalactites!). Cave houses tend to be cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Our "roof" is a hill, and forms a great space for peace, panoramic views, star-gazing and meditation!
We also have a huge, historic olive mill building complete with original milling equipment (unfortunately not able to be used in this modern age).
We have drinking water from the taps, solar-heated water for showers, dishwashing etc, spring water (mainly for irrigation), electricity and internet (although this isn't fast or reliable enough for most digital nomads).
I live with my partner, my step son, and in another cave house on the same property there lives my step daughter with her partner, beautiful little girl and a baby boy born in September 2024. Our cave house is older and needs things done to it and has some parts a little untidy and under construction or unreformed. But it's safe and cosy!
Many of our visitors like feeling part of the family, stay in touch after leaving and several of them return to us. They also often make new friends of other workawayers.
We live in the area known as the Badlands, east of the Sierra Nevada and 90 minutes drive from historic Granada city. There is a lake with rough beaches about 10 minutes drive away, and natural hot springs about 30 minutes drive away.
We have 6 dogs and two donkeys and some peafowl who particularly enjoy our outdoor space - our whole plot is 2 hectares (5 acres) on which we grow vegetables, olives, a little fruit and keep a few chickens (for eggs not meat).
There is minimal public transport local to the house so we will always give a lift if we can. We usually visit the local towns 2 or 3 times a week. We also have a few bicycles, so you are welcome to use one when available. We sometimes organise little trips to the lake, hot springs, local fiestas, markets (usually weekly), other villages and places of interest.
No heavy smokers, habitual drug users or habitual drinkers please. Otherwise, you will find that we are open-minded and tolerant of people's life choices.
We all eat a varied and interesting vegetarian/vegan diet. We don't mind if this is a new or temporary experience for you, try it, you'll almost certainly like it!!
A little bit about me: I "retired" at the end of 2019, just in time for the pandemic! I love many types of music from all generations. I like some order in my life, but am learning to "roll with it" more. I enjoy reading. I am quite techy, probably unusual for someone of my age, and often help visitors, neighbours and family with tech support. It's probably fair to say I am more cerebral than physical. I have a corny sense of humour I've been told. I have been a restaurant owner, IT manager, DJ, marketing manager, disability needs assessor and a few other things. I can cook reasonably well. I became vegetarian in 2020. I have two sons in the UK, and of course, my loving family here, including my lovely step-grandchildren, Susi and Oscar, who I love to bits!
PS Reviews refer to my elderly mother, however she passed away peacefully here in January 2025.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Sometimes there may be opportunities to learn about skills local to the area.
Get an insight into the Spanish tradition of cave house dwelling and olive oil mills.
You can learn English of course, from any of the members of the household and Spanish from my son-in-law, friends and the neighbours.
The local village of Bacor has some interesting features and history, there are routes for walking or cycling, there are occasional fiestas nearby (including one on our land in the summer), and cave houses are traditional and an education in themselves!
Help
Mostly helping with basic home/vegetable garden maintenance and other normal household stuff. Sometimes taking a turn cooking vegetarian meals or preparing breakfast if you are able.
When we make contact, I will be happy to provide more details to help you decide whether we are right for you.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
Accommodation
We have a large, cosy cave room that workawayers usually share, with electricity, internet, curtains for privacy and a relaxation area.
There are 2 cave houses, one is lived in by my stepdaughter, son-in-law, young daughter and baby boy, and the other by us. It's older and needs things done to it and has some parts a little untidy and under construction or unreformed. There is a huge garden around the house which has no real form yet and a little woodland and a veggie garden with olive trees and vines. All of us help together or by turn with this.
What else ...
There's the wonderful lake, Pantano de Negratín, hot springs, even a hot waterfall not too far away! Cool mountains, hot desert, and tapas free with every beer or wine in most of the little bars in the local villages and towns. Bacor has a bar which is quite Spanish and welcoming.
The wider area, also known as the Altiplano de Granada has plenty of history, a stronghold of the Moorish Kingdom of El Andaluz, and the last part to fall to the Christian conquerors. There are widespread and very visible signs of the Mesolithic culture that flourished here, and remains from settlements of some of the earliest known hominids in Europe nearby at Orce too! Have a look on Wikipedia!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
As well as comfortable cave house accommodation, we have plenty of space on one of our fields for camper vans. We can also provide electric hookup, and there is a shower/toilet block plus covered patio in this area.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Paquera and Nedna
2 donkeys
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (4)
I was also fortunate that they were fostering a dog that I instantly fell in love with!
I was able to bring him back to the… read more
It was a time that we wanted peace and not too much drama, and Tash is very good at that. She always had a smile and a positive word to say, was mature enough to understand family dynamics, especially had a good understanding of the needs of… read more
I also got great feedback about Liz from other guests who were here at the time.
Finally, although I was sad to miss them, everyone else wanted me to thank her for… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
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:
(4.5)
Communication:
(5.0)
I was also fortunate that they were fostering a dog that I instantly fell in love with!
I was able to bring him back to the… read more
It was a time that we wanted peace and not too much drama, and Tash is very good at that. She always had a smile and a positive word to say, was mature enough to understand family dynamics, especially had a good understanding of the needs of… read more
I also got great feedback about Liz from other guests who were here at the time.
Finally, although I was sad to miss them, everyone else wanted me to thank her for… read more
I fell in love with the whole family from 94 year old Josie to the sweetest 18 month old Suzi.… read more
Deep sleeps in my beautiful and cool cave bedroom..
Most of all, I appreciate à very nice meeting with LOVELY JOSIE , and a friendly and lively communauty.
The occupations were easy… read more
