Rural, peace, nature and outdoors in Mórahalom, Hungary

Details

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  Description

  Hi, my name is Donna, originally from the UK, with Hungarian heritage.
  Having inherited my father's very old house, it has recently undergone a large renovation project to remodel and modernise, whilst still keeping some of it's charm.
  The major building works are complete (new bathrooms, underfloor heating, separate summer kitchen), and now just waiting for a complete new kitchen to be installed.
  Whilst able to decorate, paint and add finishing touches, general DIY and using a drill is my nemesis!
  
  There are several projects I need help with; installing a few (IKEA) cupboards and shelves, general tidying up, and last but definitely not least, the garden, for potential food production and ornamental use.
  
  Mórahalom is a small town, with a fabulous spa/thermal bath, (google 'Spa Szent Erzsébet Mórahalmi'), for wellness and rejuvenation, which is very popular especially at the weekend.
  There are saunas, massage rooms, a large steam room, indoor pools, outdoor heated pools, thermal pools and even a cocktail pool bar, snack bars and a traditional restaurant serving delicious food.
  There is also a cultural centre, a '1000 year park' and several festivities throught the year, showcasing traditional Hungarian life.
  
  It's a rural area, ideal for relaxing, and would suit digital nomads wanting peace and quiet, or nature lovers. There is a local buffalo reservation nearby, a lake ideal for bird watching, bicycle and walking trails.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Gardening

  

  Books

  

  Hiking

  

  Dancing

  

  Cycling
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  There are several social activities taking place on a daily basis; Monday pilates & Thursday Zumba (first 10 lessons free), back exercises (free) on Wednesday, yoga, aerobics, swimming at the indoor olympic size pool, gym sessions, dancing, to name a few.
  
  There is a weekly 'Nordic Walking' group, free for anyone to join, where we go either by bicycle, or bicycle and then walk. It's very flat, no hills, so not too taxing, but very enjoyable and scenic, especially around the buffalo park and surrounding areas.
  
  There are often organised bike and walking tours by the local community, usually free or for a nominal donation. We recently rode across the border to Serbia, and visited a wine palace , with wine tasting, a 48km round trip. Also there was a walking tour around Szeged and the surrounding area, 20km in total.
  
  The local Bivaly Bowling, has three tenpin bowling lanes, pool table, air hockey, an outdoor seating area, bar and food.
  
  The locals are very welcoming, and eager to practice their English, or any other languages.
  
  Depending on the time of year there are several festivals, in the town itself, and the nearest city of Szeged (30 mins bus ride away), as well as other local areas.
  You can find wine, mulled wine, pálinka, concerts, even horse shows in Mórahalom, and the famous fish festival in Szeged.
  
  As a small town, Mórahalom has a lot to offer, although it is still quite traditional, and there are no real 'pubs' for nighttime entertainment. However, the closest city of Szeged is only a bus ride away where you have lots of choices for food and drink.

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  Help

  The garden area, front, side and outside needs a lot of work....weeds have taken over most of it.
  
  As a corner plot, the 'garden' is quite large (as it wraps around the front and side), and ideally the largest part at the back needs landscaping.
  
  So far I've managed to clear the grapevines and lay some weed membrane down, but there is lots more to do - I'm open to design ideas, maybe raised vegetable beds to be more self sufficient, pathways leading to other areas with seating to enjoy the flowers.
  
  Outside of the patio doors is an ideal spot for an outdoor seating area (once the decking is completed), where I'm hoping to locate a telescope, perfect for star gazing.
  
  The veranda is typically used for dining, especially in nice weather, but I'm also looking at making part of it into a 'mud room' with a seated area to remove shoes before entering the main house.
  
  Basic DIY around the house includes putting together IKEA cabinets for the living room TV wall, putting up shelves, mirrors, pictures and such like. Part of the house is the very old, traditional 'earth brick' style, so it can be challenging.
  
  Nothing goes to waste here, materials are often refused.....the old roof tiles (from what is now the summer kitchen), have been used to create the edges of a winding border and as a keen, but beginner, gardener I'm trying to plant native flora, but also need help with the weeding. Common purslane is taking over where I haven't yet managed to cover with weed membrane, as well as unwanted grass.
  We'll be doing this together, hopefully sharing tips and skills, and any design ideas are welcome.
  
  The unwanted internal doors have all been saved to reuse in the garden, hopefully as a potential 'potting shed', (another project), old wine barrels, flagstones, even a large cable drum, waiting to be upcycled.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Hungarian: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I'm interested in improving my Hungarian, and having recently enrolled on a TEFL course happy to help share my knowledge of the English language.
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  Accommodation

  Accommodation will be in an annexe consisting of a bedroom with double size bed, smart TV and air con. This would easily suit a couple or an individual.
  
  At the moment there is no door on the bedroom (I plan to put a sliding door on it - it's one of the jobs that needs doing), but there is a door curtain for privacy.
  
  You will have your own private shower room and toilet along the corridor, with towel radiator and underfloor heating.
  
  There will be two fully stocked fridges and freezers you are welcome to use, as well as whatever staple ingredients are in the cupboards, an assortment of breakfast cereals, spices, rice and pasta, canned tomatoes and baked beans.
  I will also provide fresh eggs, bread and seasonal vegetables.
  
  The kitchen will have a gas hob and double ovens, you're free to use at any time. You are also welcome to join me at mealtimes, if you would like to sample my cooking, a mix of English and Hungarian, and maybe we could share recipes.
  
  The summer kitchen is currently being used, (until the new kitchen is installed), which has two portable induction hobs, a microwave, air fryer, Crockpot, toaster and mini sink. This will continue to be in use, especially once the BBQ is put together.
  
  There is also a washing machine and a separate shower and (septic) toilet in the summer kitchen (all brand new), and very handy for when working in the garden.

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  What else ...

  I'm super flexible with hours - you decide when you’d like to help, and if you want to help more one day, and have the next day off, that works fine with me. The outdoor baths is very busy at the weekend, and less expensive through the week - unless you prefer to go when it's busy and then that's also fine.
  
  The local bus station has transport every half hour into Szeged which takes about 30 mins. From Szeged there are many opportunities to visit other areas, the hourly train goes to Budapest every day.
  
  I have a few bicycles; a ladies mountain bike, a ladies Pashley, a road bike and a man's racing bike, available for you to use anytime.
  
  The town has a Co-op, Prima, Pepco and Rossman, as well as a small market, and fruit and vegetable shops. There are two banks with ATMs, post office, library, bakeries and ice cream / cafes.
  
  Szeged has a shopping mall (Árkád), with all the high street brands, and I usually go into Szeged once a week to get groceries at Lidl and Aldi. There is also a Metro and Auchan, Decathlon, but best by car.
  
  I have a car and drive, happy to take you with me for shopping, or to drop you off in Szeged.
  
  I'm very laid back and easy going, I don't really have a particular routine, other than in the summer when it's better to get up early and do the garden work, as it can heat up quickly.
  
  I'm a non-smoker and don't allow smoking in the house, but outside is fine if you smoke.
  
  Traditionally, people take their shoes off when entering the house, and put on slippers - I'm using this approach and planning a type of 'mud room' on the veranda to sit down and take off shoes and coats before going inside....another project on the 'to do' list.

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  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

  There is plenty of space to set up working online, WiFi connection is very good, no issues.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  There is plenty of room inside or outside the property for any size camper van.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  I have a large, enclosed garden.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

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