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Host rating
100 %
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Last replied
4 Aug 2026
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Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 4 days
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Feedback
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Find your perfect host
Min stay requested: at least a week
Details
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Description
We are especially interested in people who would like to stay longer periods of time for pet/house sitting or a combination of volunteering and house sitting.
Workaway specific: from 2026 onwards, we are looking for people interested in helping Sam with some projects on our property and land. Ideally, you would be able to stay a minimum of two weeks. Get in touch for more details on the projects we are working on at the moment!
We are a couple in our fifties. Sam (º1971), British, builder and olive farmer. He has been living in Spain for the last 17 years with his son Felix (º2001) and with mum Bobby next doors (She emigrated from the US to Europe in the 60s, travelled along the hippie trail and after a life in Wales ended up in Spain again where she started of her journey in the 60s. She sadly passed away after a very short illness in January 2022).
Partner Sally (º1971), Belgian, has been living in Spain since 1995, freelance translator/copywriter, working from the farm.
Sam's son, Felix has been living and studying in England for a while, but has now returned to Spain full-time. He is still trying to figure out where to settle, so at the moment he on and off lives at the farm and in Madrid.
Our property contains various buildings (main farm house, small built on cottage, an old mill, pool studio, clay huts) which Sam has either built up from the ground or renovated himself. He always tries to incorporate some recycled materials in each of his projects. When Sam is not working for somebody else, he is either rebuilding the old mill, working on the land or repairing, building something at the cortijo. There is always something to do around a place like this.
Our farm is set up as an olive farm and a small yurt centre (we used to rent the yurts out in summer, but that has been put on hold. We still set them up in summer for friends, family and workawayers who want to live the experience). We have a small amount of olive trees and in winter we pick the olives for olive oil for our own use. Therefore Workawayers won't be helping with any tasks related to a farm business or in any spaces for paying guests and will only be helping in our private home and garden.
We have got loads of space, a lot of it is protected wild oak land (there is lots of wildlife around: all sorts of birds -nightingale, woodpecker, geese, quail, hupu, eagle, vulture...- wild boars, ibex, ferrets...) There are loads of fruit trees, olive trees, an extensive herb garden, and we always have an organic veg garden in summer. We have chickens for eggs, two small dogs and a cat.
The winter is somewhat caught up with olive farming (around November - beginning of December) and projects around the property.
We usually have various small projects on the go. So at certain moments of the year we need some work exchange help for these tasks. Get in touch for more details on the projects we are working on at the moment!
At other moments we need house/pet sitters, because recently we have bought a camper van, so we would like to explore Spain and Europe a bit more, so if you fancy living in our little paradise for a while, let us know! -
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Light gardening
Creative DIY projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help around the house
Light maintenance
House & pet sitting
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Interests
Nature
Camping
Yoga / Wellness
Outdoor activities
Hiking
Cycling -
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Learn new skills while helping Sam with his projects in the old mill, on the land and in the farm house. We try to live in harmony with the land we live on. We will happily share our experience and gathered knowledge on sustainable living, building (Eco and recycled whenever possible) and all the arts and crafts (beer brewing, wine and cider making...) we master.
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Help
We are especially interested in people who would like to stay longer periods of time for pet/house sitting or a combination of volunteering and house sitting.
Workaway specific: from 2026 onwards, we are looking for people interested in helping Sam with some small projects on our property and land. Ideally, you would be able to stay a minimum of two weeks. Get in touch for more details on the projects we are working on at the moment!
For house sitting:
If you would like to live rent-free in our little paradise for a while, please let us know, we are mostly flexible with our travel plans! You will live in a bungalow built onto the main farm house. It has two bedrooms with a double bed each, kitchen, bathroom and living room.
There are 2 small dogs (Django and Borat) and 1 cat (Spike) that will appreciate your loving presence. We have got loads of space, there is almost no traffic around, and they live a happy fence free life. We have 5 chickens for eggs, they need feeding (and water), you can of course help yourself to all the lovely fresh eggs.
We have loads of fruit trees and an extensive herb and veg garden (veg mainly in summer and autumn), feel free to enjoy all the lushness of it during your stay here!
We live in the countryside, at about 15' from the village on a bike (5' by car) on a normal road. There are neighbours to count on in case of emergency). In summer (from June to half September) there is a bar at the 'beach' area (natural springs) nearby the house (10' walk)
For help exchanges:
We run a mixed bag of projects and generally need help with everything so your day could entail helping to mix cement or prune olive trees. Around November - December we harvest olives, traditional way.
Our property contains various buildings (main farm house, small built on cottage, an old mill, pool studio, clay huts) which Sam has either built up from the ground or renovated himself. He always tries to incorporate some recycled materials in each of his projects. When Sam is not working for somebody else, he is either rebuilding the old mill, working on the land or repairing, building something at the cortijo.There is always something to do around a place like this.
We usually share one big meal of the day, which is either lunch or dinner, depending on work. We leave enough supplies for you to be able to prepare other meals for yourselves. Evenings are usually private time for us. Some weekends we have to go away for family obligations, so it is possible that we will ask you to house sit for us (always with previous arrangements).
We are a creative bunch and would love input on more arts based projects--we have the space! Musicians particularly welcome as we have the facility to record and are always looking for ways to expand our repertoire. The last years of her life, Bobby started a mosaic on the floor outside her house, she didn't get the time to finish it. So anybody who is interested in putting some energy in that project is very welcome too.
We're looking for people who do not need to be near a big city. We have been hosting for many, many years and in our experience our place is best suited for couples (or single travellers who are very independent). We're in the middle of nature nearby a small but nice village, the town Alcala La Real is a 20 min. car drive away.
If you stay in the casita you have a cosy open plan mini house to yourselves (fully equipped kitchen).
If you stay in Bobby's house, you live in a bungalow built onto the main farm house. It has two bedrooms with a double bed each, kitchen, bathroom and living room.
If you stay in the caravan, you share bathroom and kitchen with volunteer(s) staying in Bobby's house.
In summer, you can stay in a yurt if you would like to live that experience!
Where you will stay depends on the number of volunteers, the time of year you are around and whether you are house/pet sitting or doing a work exchange.
For help exchange:
We prefer people who can work independently and show initiative. We're not always doing the same tasks as our volunteers, as we can have different types of jobs to do, and we also have to go away for work. We trust our volunteers to be responsible for their tasks and keep track of their own hours. -
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
German: Intermediate
French: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
At home we speak English! So if you want to learn English... We both are fluent in Spanish as well, but as a second language. -
Accommodation
If you stay in the casita you have a cosy open plan mini house to yourselves (kitchen, bathroom and wood stove for cosy winter evenings).
If you stay in Bobby's house, you have a small cottage with two bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen, bathroom, living room and wood stove for cosy winter evenings)
If you stay in the caravan, you share bathroom and kitchen with volunteer(s) staying in Bobby's house.
In summer you can stay in a yurt if you would like to live that experience!
Where you will stay depends on the number of volunteers, the time of year you are around and whether you are house/pet sitting or doing a work exchange. -
What else ...
We are located near the village Castillo de Locubin and the city Alcala La Real (each year in summer Etnosur Festival is organised here). Our farm is at 15´ walking from the natural springs Nacimiento del Rio San Juan, in summer this is a fondly visited "beach" area. At the nacimiento you can also climb the Via Ferrata (we have climbing material) and in Alcala la Real there is a very nice rock climbing area. Granada and Cordoba can be visited with the bus (both an hour drive away).
Loads of walking routes around the area (we are on the Ruta del Califato)
There are bicycles available to ride in and out of town.
When we are at home and whenever we drive into town (normally at least once a day) we are happy to give you a lift.
We are most accesible by email or Whatsapp -
A little more information
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Internet access
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Limited internet access
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We have pets
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We are smokers
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Can host families
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Can host digital nomads
Our internet connection is rural, it mostly works fine, only on rainy days it can get a bit sketchy. I (Sally) work online and don't have major problems.
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Space for parking camper vans
The access road to the cortijo is narrow at a few points (rocks), which might be complicated for big (and long) motorhomes. Vans, no problem at all.
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Can possibly accept pets
We have got a cat and two small dogs of our own. The dogs get along with other dogs (not so much with other cats).
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How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
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My animals / pets
Happy chucks
Spike (6 years)
Current mouse hunter in charge. Hunts all night, sleeps most of the day. Doesn't like dogs, loves humans.
Borat, aka Chevchenko the Podenko, aka Croqueta, aka 'Trouble' (6 years)
Medium height Podenco, independent free spirit
Django (13 years)
Small mixed breed, eternal puppy
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (19)
Our main responsibilities were house sitting and taking care of the cat, dogs, and chickens while they were away, along with some weeding and … read more
Sam and Sally were quite friendly and gave us a lot of freedom. They were easy-going and helpful when needed.
Our task during the first week of our stay was to do house setting while they were on vacation. We … read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.7)
Communication:
(5.0)
Our main responsibilities were house sitting and taking care of the cat, dogs, and chickens while they were away, along with some weeding and … read more
Sam and Sally were quite friendly and gave us a lot of freedom. They were easy-going and helpful when needed.
Our task during the first week of our stay was to do house setting while they were on vacation. We … read more
The location is spectacular in the valley with a beautiful cliff just accross the river - I hiked to the top various times and I could see as far as the Sierra Nevada.
My stay coincided with the olive harvest so we were picking the … read more
This place is surrounded by beautiful nature and landscapes, mountains and of course hundreds of olive trees.
It is so peaceful and quiet. You can actually see the stars at night. Heating up the house with fireplace.
Sam … read more
In the free time I had a good time with the other volunteers chilling next to pool and exploring the mountains around the farm, also always accompanied … read more
Anais and Martin
I did a lot of nice work there, picking olives, and a good olive year it was, and maintenance on the yurts.
They also organized music … read more
Boby, Sam and Sally are realy lovely people, with heart on the hand. It's a nice place for exchange about any subject.
It's only five hours by days in a good ambience, but you have to do the work.
Hopefully come back one day.
We stayed there for 10 days, in the casita, which was perfect for us, we helped for different kind of jobs in the garden, always interesting and challenging!
We miss the meals with you guys, talking about the actuality, playing music, chating about everything... it was a wonderful time!
We also … read more
Working with Bobby and Sam was a great learning experience, and I was given the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the most inspirational people I've ever met.
Sam and Bobby stay true to their traveller roots and … read more
