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10 Apr 2025
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Description
I live on Lake Balaton in a large house with a garden and small vineyard. The lake is a very popular tourist destination and my village has three beaches popular for fishing, boating, swimming and all kinds of non-motorised water sports. The round-lake cycle track (over 200kms) is extremely popular. There is a large forest behind the house which is in an area of outstanding natural beauty and good for walking, hiking etc. with an abundance of wildlife. The local village doesn't offer much by way of high cultural experiences although there is an outdoor cinema but in the high summer there is always plenty going on and a chance to get to know all things Hungarian.
I came here (from the UK) with my partner nearly 25 years ago to a half-completed house on a totally bare plot. It was my ambition to create a garden in a climate which was then described as extreme but is perhaps now not as extreme as elswhere! The garden project is long since completed and is now mature and full of specimen trees. The house has both an adjacent wine cellar and simple guest house. The workawayer would be entirely independent. I am able to provide lunch but breakfast and supper would be the workawayer's responsibilty.
Now on my own (my partner died seven years ago) my project is one of maintenance and preservation as advancing years mean that I need help with the garden and minor external decorative work (painting gates and fences).
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Hungary is an unusual country with a unique language. The village of Révfülöp is quiet except in the months of June-September when the population burgeons from 1200 to 10000. It is full of holiday homes. Apart from the natural beauty of the local environment there are numerous attractions such as Héviz , the world’s second largest thermal lake, castles, picturesque villages and wine, wine, wine. There are vineyards everywhere. I can give lessons in viticulture and wine-making.
I speak English, Italian, German, Hungarian and some French and spent my working life as a theatre producer, director, manager, writer and actor and still occasionally do the odd production in Budapest. I am always in meeting and engaging with young people of different cultural backgrounds and happy to chat with anybody.
Help
Every year there are minor painting tasks and, although I have a gardener who comes for five hours per week, this is not sufficient for its upkeep and it needs a further couple of hours per day. I garden myself but am mainly occupied with writing, cooking and entertaining.
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
French: Intermediate
Hungarian: Intermediate
Accommodation
I’ve described this above. It’s relatively simple but has all home comforts and is entirely independent of the main house. There is no wifi or television.
What else ...
There are castles, a palace, caves, a zoo and the county town of Veszprém which is steeped in history. I don't have bikes but the village has two outlets which rent them. Révfülöp has a station from where there are frequent trains to Budapest. It is also a bus hub for more local journeys to outlying villages etc. Providing he/shehas a full, clean driving licence a small vehicle is available for local journeys.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can possibly accept pets
My dog is an Italian greyhound bitch called Fanny. She is nervous, afraid of other dogs though she will get used and eventually tolerate any dog of small size.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
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