Join us in our home and discover unique culture in Bruvoll, Norway

Details

• 

  Description

  We are a couple in our early sixties living at a homestead since October 2020. The homestead has mainly log buildings from the 1850'ies (under renovation) and semi-new log buildings (under construction). We share our household with two cats. For the time being we do not have any livestock, but hopefully we'll add poultry to our household next year.
  
  We are a private homestead producing for our own consumption only. Our goal is to be as selfsufficient as possible as well as to get "almost-off-grid" in the future.
  
  A litle more about us:
  
  Haakan (62): originally from Sweden, but have stayed in Norway since the late 1980's. He has a degree in forestry, worked as a carpenter for several years, been doing industriall work (i.e. welding / plumbing / steel-work / masonry), has offshore experience as a diver (oil industry) and more. Haakan is a driven, handy and active man (turbo) and aim to see solutions instead of problems. He isn't too good at foreign languages, quote: "very good at offshore english" (mix of Swedish/Norwegian/English). Haakan is very social and outgoing.
  
  Me (Stina, 58): My working career (roughly summarized): mainly in the area of office and trade as secretary / caseworker / food safety coordinator and office manager. I have also been a housewife / staying at home mum for several years. I had to leave ordinary work-life in 2016 due to health issues. Hence, I do have some "slow periods" where I tend to not so physical tasks :-) I'm a bit introvert and need some time on my own during the day, but still social and outgoing when the company is right.
  
  We do eat meat / fish / poultry / dairy products on a daily basis, so our diet / way of life is not suitable for vegans. If you are vegetarian we'll work something out, and maybe you can teach me some vegetarian dishes :-) We do prefer to have our meals together.

• 

  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Language practice

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
• 

  Interests

  

  Nature

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Carpentry

  

  Plant care

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Gardening

  

  Pets

  

  Sustainability

  

  Farming
• 

  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

  ...

  ...

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  What's this?
• 

  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Our lifestyle will be suitable for those who are interessted in self-sufficiency in various forms and off-grid living. In the evenings there will occationally be time to sit around the camp-fire, exchanging stories, learn more about each others cultures and way of life, or just contemplation for that matter.
  
  I (Stina) do occationally like to visit various museums and events during the summer. Depending on your interests, I'd love to share more of the Norwegian history and culture if you'd like to come along :-)

• 

  Help

  Helping out with daily chores in addition to various ongoing projects.
  
  Depending on season of the year: housekeeping like making meals and cleaning, tending to the vegetable garden (weeding), regular gardening (lawn mowing etc.), soil improvment / landscaping, chopping / packing wood, some minor forestry tasks, filtering oil for the various vehicles on the farm (Haakan re-use vegetable frying oil from local restaurants), outdoor / indoor painting, foraging / harvesting, assist in renovating log buildings, renovating furnitures, tidying and organizing etc.
  
  We have our own transportable / mobile band saw-mill and some acres of wood-land, so Haakan makes most of the wooden construction materials by himself.
  
  Being a bit handy, willing to learn (working both ways of course!), having common sense, being honest, interested in creating social cohesion, versatile... are all qualities that will be very much appreciated. Both Haakan and I work more than five hours a day, so you must be comfortable enjoying your own company for a few hours each day.
  
  Please note that due to the risks working in heights (like roofing), operating heavy machinery (i.e. the saw mill or the load carrier)etc., workawayers will not be allowed to take part in tasks that may compromise their personal safety.

• 

  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Norwegian bokmål: Fluent
  Swedish: Fluent
  German: Beginner
  French: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I (Stina) would love to refresh my language skills in English, and maybe take up on another language if I get the opportunity (French / German). I'm happy to share my native tounge and I'm able to teach the basics of spoken and written Norwegian. Ich verstehe etwas Deutsch, aber leider bin ich nicht gut in der Sprache. Ich habe es seit über dreißig Jahren nicht mehr benutzt, würde es aber gerne wieder lernen. Haakan understands English quite well and usually don't have a problem making himself understood. He is able to teach basics of spoken Swedish.
• 

  Accommodation

  A small, one-roomed log cabin from mid 1850's - "Sommarsfjøse". No power/ electricity / wi-fi / running water. Suitable for 1 - 2 people . If you want to stay with us during the cold season, you will need to use the woodstove in the cabin to keep comfortable. There's unlimited access to ready made firewood nearby, so you may keep your private area (as in the cabin) warm and cosy.
  
  A partly refurbished, small, rustic, one-roomed log summercabin - "Purkehuset" - from mid 1850's. No wi-fi/ running water, but power / electricity is installed. Suitable for 1 person.
  
  We welcome tenters if you don't want to stay in one of the cabins.
  
  Workawayers do of course have full access to the bathroom, kitchen and living room in the main-house.
  
  Note: When you arrive, you are met by a tidy and clean cabin with clean bedding. We do expect that you tidy and vacuum / wash your cabin before departure. Vacuum cleaner and equipment for washing will be provided.

• 

  What else ...

  The homestead is situated at Bruvoll (Nord-Odal) 54 kilometers from Gardermoen International Airport. The public transport opportunities are rather scarce, so I will of course provide transport to and from the nearest bus stop / train station on arrival and departure.
  
  There are excellent opportunities for hiking (photo of a map with marked trails in the surrounding area will be added shortly), and I'm working on making an agreement with DNT (The Norwegian Trekking Association) for those who would like to go for longer hiking trips during their weekends.
  
  An important detail: we are not vaccinated (Covid 19), nd don't mind wether you are vaccinated or not (it will not be an issue of discussion either way).

• 

  A little more information

  • 

    Internet access

  • 

    Limited internet access

  • 

    We have pets

  • 

    We are smokers

  • 

    Can host families

• 

  Space for parking camper vans

  We can accomodate any kind of motorhome.

• 

  Can possibly accept pets

  As the homestad is situated in an area that allows for livestock to roam in the forrest during the summer, it's essential that dogs are kept on a leash (and tolerates cats!).

• 

  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

• 

  My animals / pets

  Eowyn & Lurvis

Website Safety

Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host

Feedback (5)