Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
23 Mar 2025
Reply rate
96.2 %
Usually responds within 5 days
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Details
Description
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), who now is studying in England and with mum Bobby nextdoors (She emigrated from the US to Europe in the 60's, travelled along the hippie trail and after a life in Wales ended up in Spain again where she started of her journey in the 60's. She sadly passed away after a very short illness in January 2022).
And partner Sally (º1971),Belgian, has been living in Spain since 1995, freelance translator/copywriter, working from the farm.
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 2 cats.
The winter is somewhat caught up with olive farming and maintenance works.
We usually have some building projects on the go. So at certain moments of the year we need some work exchange help for these tasks.
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
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
House sitting
Interests
Nature
Camping
Yoga / Wellness
Outdoor activities
Hiking
Cycling
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Self sustainability is very important for us, 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.
Help
For spring 2025 we are looking for helpers for garden work, maintenance jobs and probably to start renovating an old mill on our land
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!
There are 2 small dogs (Django and Borat) and 2 cats (Mojo and 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 (frome June to half September) there is a bar at the 'beach' area (natural springs) nearby the house (10' walk)
For work 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. 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 usually are private time for us, but sometimes we go all crazy and have loud music and a bit of a party :-)
Spring 2025 we hope to be ready to start renovating an old Mill on our land. This means you would have be happy about being involved in building works. We are also always doing maintenance works: painting, strimming, cleaning, watering etc.
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. At the moment we are trying to organise a small music event every month/two months, as a social club/gathering for locals.
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. Is 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 work 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 and a car to go shopping.
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
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Our internet connection is rural (satellite), it mostly works fine, only on rainy days it can get a bit sketchy. I (Sally) work online and don't have major problems.
Space for parking camper vans
Loads of space, so no problem at all
Can possibly accept pets
We have got two cats and tree small dogs of our own, they get along with other dogs (not so much with other cats)
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (13)
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.8)
Communication:
(5.0)
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
