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100 %
Last replied
10 Oct 2023
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25
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Description
Would you like to help in the large garden around my house in Southern Switzerland? Would you like to participate an attempt to live carbon-neutral? Do you feel like helping me to develop a dreamlike terraced landscape? Do you want to spend an unforgettable time in one of the most beautiful valleys of the Swiss Alps and at the same time not miss out on the 'good life'? Then you could be right with me!
From april 9th until april 22th 2026 I will gather again a small group of volonteers (2 to 4) to intensely work in the garden. This year, the following work is scheduled: Gardening, gardening, gardening, planting perennials, build a dam, pull-out blackberries, repairing stone walls, splitting wood for the winter, various repair work in and around the house.
On a clearing in the middle of wild nature lies an old stone house from the 19th century, a classic Ticino rustico in which a large family used to live together with their animals. Me, Peter, a photographer and climate activist living in Zurich, took over the house eight years ago in a depressing state: for 50 years the owners had filled the beautiful stone house with the most terrible materials and objects imaginable. Anyhow, overwhelmed by the beauty of the terraced nature surrounding the house, and by the magic of the spot, I decided to buy the house and renovate it. Between 2018 and 2021 I have been working with my family (my girlfriend, my daughter and our very lovable Collie-Mix Django) ,friends, professional workers from the valley and Workawayers to redesign the house from scratch. The construction of the house is finished. But a lot of work is waiting in the garden (which has lately been plowed by wild boars). I am especially interested in perma culture gardening. I read some books lately and I am curious to get some things done.
Besides the work we eat together and go - whenever possible - to the river or to other beautiful walks. And in the evening I cook for my guests. Good cuisine is an essential part of 'good life' (I usually cook a vegan mixture of Swiss, Italian and International cuisine with regional, organic ingredients – meet and diary product eaters are welcome too). At the end of the day you sleep very deeply and well in the tranquility of the beautiful Onsernonetal.
I take ecological issues very seriously. It makes no sense for me to work on a CO2-neutral house and fly people in by plane. So, please do not apply if you plan to come here by plane!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
LGBTQ
Pets
Farming
Vegetarian or vegan
Sustainability
Politics / Social justice
Culture
Charity work
Writing
Drawing & painting
Gardening
Photography
Plant care
Music
History
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Carpentry
Books
Art & design
Architecture
Water sports
Yoga / Wellness
Cycling
Nature
Hiking
Mountain
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
If you decide to spend some time at Casa Tessino you will come into contact with many different cultures and languages. There is always a wild mix of languages at Casa Tessino. Working together on a common goal and living together in a small space automatically brings us together and inevitably brings us into a constant exchange of ideas. The heart of the exchange, however, is certainly the communal meals and the associated discussions. And if someone should get bored anyway, he or she can always explore Switzerland or Italy in the free time. I don't own a car, and when I am at Casa Tessino I don't travel much. But the village is very well connected to the Swiss public transport system, so you can easily travel without a car.
Help
Between april 9th and 22th, I am planning a gardening event for two to four people. This year, the following work is scheduled: Gardening, gardening, gardening, planting perennials, build a dam, pull-out blackberries, repairing stone walls, splitting wood for the winter, various repair work in and around the house. All are welcome who enjoy and have stamina to help in the garden. People with gardening experience preferred. Looking forward to welcome you in Loco!
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Czech: Intermediate
Spanish: Intermediate
Italian: Intermediate
Accommodation
The house is large enough to accommodate 6 people. However, one should not expect too much privacy. You can sleep in the small room in the basement, in the big main room, on the sleeping gallery in the same room or in the tree house in the forest. Whichever place you choose, we live in a small space and there is only one bathroom / WC, so, not too much privacy for all of us and especially for couples (normally couples can get the small room with the a double bed in the basement).
* there is WLAN.
* numerous animals live in the forest around the house. You have to be prepared to meet deer, squirrels, foxes, dormice, chamois but also (non-toxic) snakes. Fortunately, there have been surprisingly few mosiktos so far.
* the house is situated very close to the sewage treatment plant of the village. In some weather conditions we are exposed to unpleasant smells from there. But they never last longer than a few minutes a day.
* there is running warm water, there is electricity, there is an outdoor and an indoor kitchen a sauna and a dry toilet.
What else ...
The small, romantic village of Loco is only a ten-minute walk away. There is a bank, a post office, a café and restaurant a small museum and a small grocery shop. The village is easily accessible by public transport from Locarno (approx. 10 buses per day, until late). Italy is close. There are fast trains to Zurich. There are wonderful walks and hikes in the area. There is unlimited nature! You can spend lovely days with some food and a good book down by the river. You can collect mushrooms or chestnuts. There are so many things to be done in your time off. Most of all it's an amazing spot in the midst of wild nature. And spring hits one month earlier than elsewhere in northern Europe.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can possibly accept pets
I have a gentle dog myself. So it all depends on what pets and how they will be with my dog. But in general all animals are welcome.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
My animals / pets
Django (10 years)
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (12)
My stay in Loco was brilliant. I was staying at Peter's house with him, his super friendly dog Django and between 1 and 3 fellow helpers.
Peter is a really nice person who is… read more
The work with a beautiful view was also fun and specially to sit together with an apperetivo… read more
Peter as a host and as a person is very honest, communicative, funny, committed, trustful and interesting. Right from the start communication was super smooth and easy. His way of conceiving his eco-project is respectful of the environment and the people… read more
Photos
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Feedback
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Cultural exchange:
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My stay in Loco was brilliant. I was staying at Peter's house with him, his super friendly dog Django and between 1 and 3 fellow helpers.
Peter is a really nice person who is… read more
The work with a beautiful view was also fun and specially to sit together with an apperetivo… read more
Peter as a host and as a person is very honest, communicative, funny, committed, trustful and interesting. Right from the start communication was super smooth and easy. His way of conceiving his eco-project is respectful of the environment and the people… read more
Peter as host is one of the most calm and gentle person Iˋve… read more
I had a perfect time togheter with him, the wonderful other workawayers and the lovely dogs! I loved to be a lot outside, do work by hand mostly with wood to create and accomplish this lovely house and area. To stay at Peters… read more
The work has been hard, I will never forget the blackberrys, but still peter got us to enjoy every day.
We made an incredible group among those who went. Great coexistence and very good times, no doubt Peter chose the participants very well.
The place is beautiful, I never thought I’d be surrounded by palm trees in… read more
