South Africa
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A few years ago, we retired to this stunning mountain retreat. Our vision is to build a series of Eco-campsites where people from the cities can come to get away from it all, and with the help pf many Workawayers we are gradually realising this. There us still a lot to do, and a great variety of tasks for you to get involved in!
In December 2013 a fire swept the area, opening up what was thick "Fynbos" bush, exposing the rock structure and making a number of natural campsites obvious. We have been taking advantage of this natural clearing and have so far put in access roads and cleared the sites. We have built some informal shower and toilet facilities using the available natural materials, and more are planned. We really appreciate the keen volunteers who participate in this rewarding project, as two retired folk on their own just cannot keep up with all the schemes they can't help inventing! In return, we as hosts we try to make their experience here as rewarding for them as possible by teaching them new skills and giving them new experiences.
Summer nights are especially beautiful with little light pollution to diminish the splendour of the Southern Milky Way. We have two largish telescopes which we hope to be setting up so those with an interest in Astronomy can experience and learn.
Wildlife in the area includes Baboons, small Buck, Mongoose, Porcupine, Francolin and Guinea Fowl, Black Eagle and Gymnogene. There have even been a few sitings of Aardwolf, Lynx and Leopard recently.
For those with an interest in botany, the winter and spring rainy season (April through October) following the 2013 fire was fascinating, as many interesting species made their way through the burnt earth to pioneer the new undergrowth. The bush is now thickening up which means more work of clearing is an ongoing need.
Gardening
Building
General Maintenance
Help with Eco project
Help in the house
As mentioned above, building (wooden, natural, "eco") facilities for the proposed campsites. There are a lot of trees, both small and large, which need to cleared after the recent fire, and cut into logs for the building project, terracing, firewood, etc. Some rudimentary knowledge of plumbing (bush style) also welcome!
Some building work is also needed on the existing old farmhouse, barn and cottage. Skills such as plumbing, tiling, electrical work will be appreciated!
Help with cooking will also be valued, especially if there are a few volunteers at any one time.
English, Afrikaans, a very little French and even less Portuguese
If one or two or three people, there are two spare rooms with beds in our house. If more, some would have to sleep in tents (provided).
Piketberg is a small town in the wheat and grape farming area known as the "Swartland". We are only two hours from Cape Town. There is a bus Service which runs between Cape Town and Piketberg. Our farm is about 20 mins from the town by car, and we do go there most days.
To the west are the unspoilt beaches of the West coast, about an hour away.
In Springtime ( August-September) the area a little further north produces amazing displays of wildflowers, a great tourist attraction.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
More than two
All time given gratefully accepted! max 25 hours a week
