Help us with a restoration project on an ancient watermill in Monzuno, Italy

Details

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  Description

  My husband and I have bought a house in the middle of the wood; the restoration is almost finished but there is still a lot to do, in particular around the house, where nature has spread all-over the place.
  The building is an ancient watermill, which is no more in use, but the water still runs nearby, creating some wonderful waterfalls.
  A part of the house will be dedicated to walkers who are supposed to stay one night on their way from Bologna to Firenze: this is meant to be another opportunity of sharing experiences.
  We have no TV, and we like to enjoy silence, and the sound of nature.
  It takes about 20 minutes drive to reach the closest village, and it is completely dark here at night, excepts for the light of moon and stars.
  We are settling in step by step, and we would be happy to share this beautiful place with somebody who appreciates quiet life in the middle of nature.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We can offer the opportunity of a full-immersion in nature, living in a 18th Century stone building which used to be a mill. We are studying local culture and traditions, and we often welcome walkers who come to see the falls and stay a bit longer for a talk.
  I can speak English, French, German and Spanish, and I would be happy to teach some Italian.

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  Help

  The house is in the middle of the wood, and nature is overwhelming.. we need some help to keep it clean around the house, in particular from clematis vitalba, nettles and brambles.
  There are some stone walls which should be rebuilt; there are some path to be created with stones, and wooden fences to be built.
  The river is full of wood which should be taken away.
  This is a magic place, but it's quite big and requires a lot of maintenance.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent
  Italian: Fluent
  German: Intermediate
  Spanish: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  I have studied English and German at university, and I have learnt French and Spanish thanks to my job, but I would like to practice more, and I would be happy to teach some Italian.
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  Accommodation

  We can offer a room with a very simple forniture: we want to keep this place as "light" and as comfortable as possible. We can offer a private bathroom, but this might be shared in case some friends come to visit us.
  We are vegetarian, and would be happy to share our meals: my husband is quite a good cook!

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  What else ...

  The house is really in the middle of the wood; you need to drive to reach the closest village, and the road is not really good.
  There are a lot of official paths near here, and ideally you can reach Bologna and Florence in a few days' walk!
  Nevertheless, if Workawayers want to see the roundabouts, we can drive them every now and then.
  Bologna and Firenze can be reached in about one hour by train.

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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

  We do not have landline, and in some areas of the house there is no line for mobile phones. We have a wifi connection which works in a part of the house, but we want to improve it so that it reaches all the rooms. When my job allows so, I work from home myself.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week