Explore a local village life while spending time with our family in Þykkvibær, Iceland

Details

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  Description

  Welcome here in Þykkvibær, Iceland! I'm Vilhjálmur/Villi/Vil, a 37 year old father of one (almost) 10yo daughter called Bríet (she lives in another town though:(). I am, as we say in the nordic languages, an altmuligtman, or a jack of all trades. I have a degree in chemistry, worked as a banker for 6 years, almost finished a degree in Chiropractic, drove an oil truck for two summers, was a sales- and marketing manager for a year, just to name a few things. After moving to Þykkvibær 2-3years ago, I started practicing the piano at the local music school, and to study Spanish, two things that I've always wanted to do. Now, I play the piano every day for therapeutic reasons, play concerts and even throw concerts in the restaurant. I practice Spanish every morning, and even though I understand a lot by now (B1+ level), I haven't had much practice speaking it. This knowledge has already helped me a lot to connect with many of my WorkAways from southern Europe that don't have a strong base in English.
  
  Þykkvibær is the oldest farm village of Iceland, where 80% of the nation's potato crop is grown and the community helps and supports each other. Historically, this small village has struggled through so much adversity so the people here are a great example of resilience and perseverance. My farm is no different - a lot of hard work and neighbourly favours have made this dream of mine possible.
  
  I definitely consider myself a farmer, and this to be a real farm, even though we only have a couple of cats and a couple of horses - we do farm a lot of tourists!😂 I'm originally from the north of Iceland, but after having lived 3+ years in England, I moved here with my ex wife and we started this business together. After our divorce, I started 'employing' people from WorkAway to lighten the load but quickly found out that accepting a person into your home, into your personal life and involve them in everything at the farm - is like getting a new family member. Now, I have these family members all over the world, whom I can't wait to visit one day! Some of them have even come back a second time, or to settle in Iceland.
  
  What I require from my WorkAways first and foremost is flexibility. Icelander's are notorious for being unorganised, but there's a reason behind it. The weather here controls our lives. We have to adapt to the unpredictability of mother nature and work according to her schedule. This might mean a very long day of outdoor work one day when the weather permits, and the next day we're playing cards and drinking beer inside the restaurant because of a storm. Almost all the WorkAways I've had before are already in a similar mindset but if you feel like scheduling week 45 of 2026 already, maybe it won't work out between us😁🥲
  
  The work taking place at the farm is infinitely different. It's everything from routine tasks like changing the linen of a bed, to operating a 20ton excavator, all depending on your experience, motivation and willingness to learn. One thing I've tried to give all my WorkAways, is the opportunity to leave something behind. Something they can revisit in 10 years and say: "I built this" or "I planted that tree" or "I created that reel on Instagram". It warms my heart to look over the farm and being reminded about all these wonderful people I've had.
  
  One thing I value almost as much as flexibility, is independence. Even though this is officially my farm and I should ideally be 'bossing everyone around', I'm sometimes being pulled in so many different directions every day, that I can't give detailed instructions about every single task. Especially when I don't even know myself how to do the task. My philosophy is learn-by-doing, with a little help from chatgpt and youtube. I'm no expert, but an improvisor. Those that resonate with this, and do the things required without the IKEA pamphlet (life doesn't come with an IKEA pamphlet), are the people I'm surrounded by at the moment, and I want to keep it that way🥰
  
  What you get in return for all the hard work as a WorkAway, is first and foremost the most authentic view into an Icelander's mind and community that you could get. We have a few cars here (2 working properly when writing this🤞) for day-trips, your own room with a comfortable bed&duvets, there's usually an Italian on-site cooking food so delicious food, family vibes, spontaneous parties or spontaneous trips, crazy stories you'll still be telling in your seventies, sleeping in a glamping dome, northern lights (if you're here during winter) and real human connection.
  
  After the divorce, I got a new business partner who I used to work with at a teenage rehab facility. He's in his early 50's, has three kids between 15 and 22 and a wife with early-onset Alzheimer's. Also a puppy called Sokkur (Calcetincito). He's 'head of construction' as he has all tools and machines you can think of, knows everyone in the area and knows how to do almost everything. Both of us are neurodivergents, hence why we got along from the beginning, and it makes for such a fun atmosphere when working together.
  
  I make it my priority to include everyone. I host people from many paths in life. This is a place for good souls and open hearts. LGBTQ+ and neurodivergent volunteers are warmly welcomed. Helja farm is built on kindness, acceptance and calm energy.
  
  From past experiences, WorkAway's that can stay for a month or longer usually work best.
  
  Workaway disclaimer below since I run an on-site business:
  **Please note: we do not ask for help in our businesses - only around our house. No work will take place where paying guests are residing.**

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  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
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  Interests

  

  Sustainability

  

  Self development

  

  Pets

  

  Movies & TV

  

  LGBTQ

  

  Events & social

  

  Farming

  

  Music

  

  Languages

  

  Gardening

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Animals

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Nature

  

  Mountain

  

  Hiking
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We lived in the UK for 2/3 years so our boys are fluent in English which is really good for anyone wanting to learn Icelandic because they love to chat. We’re both from the North of Iceland, born and raised, one in a big town (big in Iceland), and the other on a farm so we do all the traditional Icelandic things and we’re happy to share the joy with others!

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  Au Pair Help

  Further details can be found here

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  We usually find a project related to your individual skills, strengths and experience.
  
  If you’ve got manual skills, are a handy DIY-er or creative and independent, I’ve got plenty of interesting projects already :)
  
  Marketing skills, hospitality experience, music talents; just to name a few. There’s a new project or challenge every day so the more variety my WorkAways have, the better😁

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Icelandic: Fluent
  Danish: Intermediate
  Spanish: Intermediate
  Dutch: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  Quiero aprender español - puedo enseñar islandés :)
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  Accommodation

  Own room in our house. Unlimited access to our kitchen and welcome at the dinner table with us!

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  What else ...

  We’re close to some of the most popular tourist sites in Iceland. Google ‘Visit South’ to see the endless destinations around the area!

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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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  Space for parking camper vans

  We have a campsite in our backyard

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Will consider any pet

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

  

  Kappi (el gordo) (1 year)

  Kappi is a boss cat and a hunter, but will lie down in front of anyone's feet for a tummy scratch :D

  

  Villimey (1 year)

  Brother and sister cats Villimey, who is tiny and cuddly, and Kappi, who is twice her size and is sometimes called el gordo :D

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