Profile information
Host rating
85 %
Last replied
13 Apr 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
3
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
We are a family of 5, I am British, previously lived in London and worked for the BBC. My Spanish partner Paco is from a farming background, we have 3 children Isabel 24 Lulu 19 and Sam aged 15. We do not live where the straw bale is located. We live 8kms away closer to the village of Algodonales, Cadiz. My partner works full time and I am usually busy looking after the 50 odd stray dogs that we have housed at our home. This year we also started our eco project, we are growing natural sponges & some of the proceeds go to help Andalucían abandoned dogs. From September onwards we may also need volunteers for harvest time
We have not been active fue a while as I have been ill. The straw bale project has suffered & is somewhat abandoned. The roof was replaced around 6 months ago but the walls have been damaged & need fixing. It’s not a project for the light hearted. What I can say is that the location is beautiful, it’s like a secret valley that’s abundant with wildlife. Viñtures, eagles, foxes, mountain goats, wild boar & more. It’s 70 hectares of land surrounding our 3 hectares. The straw bale is not habitable so a tent or a camper is necessary. I am happy to bring anybody back to our house for a shower or use of the washing machine.As long as you aren’t frightened of dogs!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Getting back to their roots and enjoying nature in a rural and tranquil setting. Living alongside eagles, vultures, owls, wild boar, deer, mountain goats and much more. Living off grid in 3 hectares surrounded by 70 hectares of national park. Using creative skills, being resourceful and getting your hands dirty! Creating a sustainable home for many folk to enjoy for years to come hopefully!
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We are looking for two energetic, good humoured people to continue building our straw bale house
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
Initially we will provide a tent until more work has been done to make the straw bale more habitable. We can provide bedding and food. You can cook outside on an open fire or inside the straw bale using a gas stove. The facilities at the land are very basic, there is spring water, but only to be used for washing and drinking water for the animals. I will bring drinking water along with fresh food supplies. We also have a compost toilet using sawdust or earth. I can regularly whisk you back to our place for a hot shower, or run your clothes through the washing machine, whilst you meet all the dogs. You can also walk in to the village from our house if you fancy a break from the vultures
What else ...
We started building the straw bale following a year and half living in a yurt. We loved living off grid and were always amazed at the abundance of wildlife surrounding us including one of the largest colony of Griffon vultures. As long as it does not rain, you can always look up and regularly see the local birds of prey flying overhead, along with a colourful array of parachutists.
We moved closer to the village when the girls were older and I began working a for protectora in rehousing abandoned dogs in Germany. The years started to pass and we struggled to find time to continue with the project. We are hoping to find people, who can work by their own means without constant supervision and at the same time enjoy the beautiful, unspoilt countryside down there. It really is an amazing hidden valley, with the likelihood of bumping in to a mountain goat rather than a human being. Although it is only about 8kms from both the villages of La Muela and Algodonales, it really is in a very rural location which may not suit everyone. The beautiful town of Ronda is a 30 minute drive away, along with Jerez and Seville, just over an hour. There are plenty of nature trails, local picturesque villages to visit like Zahara and Grazalema. The following village of Zahara de la Sierra, a 15 minutes drive away, also offers boat hire and Kayaking.
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.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
Anyone is welcome to bring their pet
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
