Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Reply rate
80.0 %
Usually responds within 3 days
Feedback
44
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Details
Description
10 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 of many Workawayers we have been gradually realising this. There us still a lot to do, and a great variety of tasks for you to get involved in!
We have built some informal shower and toilet facilities using the available natural materials, and more are planned.
Sadly, my husband passed away suddenly this year (2022) but I am still determined to carry on. We really appreciate the keen volunteers who participate in this rewarding project, as 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.
Currently resident here are only myself and my adult son. We both have online jobs which keeps us busy much of the day, so practical help with maintaining everything is really valued.
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) Is the most beautiful, after the bush and flowers rejuvenate, though you may be forced to spend many rainy days indoors. Summer, can become very hot and dry, but that has its own more harsh beauty. Our mountain area is one of the few remaining covered by indigenous vegetation, the flatlands below having been fully taken over by wheatlands and vineyards.Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
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, 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.Languages spoken
Afrikaans: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Beginner
Portuguese: BeginnerAccommodation
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).
What else ...
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.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
All time given gratefully accepted! max 25 hours a week
Feedback (27)
Sandy was a great help in the house, with cooking, sewing, painting and fixing things. Always cheerful and willing, we really became friends in the time they were here.
Ken is a self-starting… read more
I could chose which work I’d like to do, there was no pressure. Together with my brother i raked a lot of wood, sticks and leaves together, cut sticks, we worked with concrete, watered the garden and cleaned the water tank.
In our… read more
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Sandy was a great help in the house, with cooking, sewing, painting and fixing things. Always cheerful and willing, we really became friends in the time they were here.
Ken is a self-starting… read more
I could chose which work I’d like to do, there was no pressure. Together with my brother i raked a lot of wood, sticks and leaves together, cut sticks, we worked with concrete, watered the garden and cleaned the water tank.
In our… read more
Thank you very much for everything, it was very fruitful, we still hope to return.
Great hug, Tomás &… read more
I enjoy how… read more
Work is not hard, is relaxed and your ideas about the campsites are welcome.
they are really relaxed people, never push in stress situation, view from their veranda is stunning and start in the morning with this breakfast view make you on peace with the world.
Raining days were....simply… read more
Thank you… read more
Ryk's engineering skills, his analytical and dedicated approach to a challenge means we had the machinery of our honey spinner fixed, our tractor re-sprayed, the porch roof extended, the braai areas excavated. etc etc. Every morning he got up very… read more
everything is super cool there, i don't want to let a long post with everything explained in details cause i really want you guys who read this post to go and experience this adventure by yourself JUST GO!!!!!
Thanks Enid and Tony… read more
They actually made a big part of my 3 month trip true South Africa happen! For which I'm very grateful and I hope I… read more
They are very nice and interesting people.
The works for building the eco-campsites were great.
I learn a lot of things about the history, not only of South africa, special thank to Tony ;)
The landscapes are breathtaking.
I had the chance to go visiting others places thanks to them during our… read more