Join me in the Italian countryside and enjoy life in nature of Penna San Giovanni

Details

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  Description

  Hi, I’m Simon.
  
  I live in the rolling hills of Le Marche, Italy, where I’m shaping a home and smallholding that brings together nature, creativity, and a simple, grounded way of living. I moved here from London, UK just over five years ago, drawn by the space, the beauty, and the possibility of living more closely connected to the land.
  
  This is a place that is gradually coming to life. The vision is unfolding through the land, the seasons, and the people who spend time here - a space to grow food, share meals, make things, and enjoy both good conversation and quiet moments.
  
  The house sits between the Adriatic coast and the Sibillini mountains, each about 45minutes away by car, with a hilltop town just a mile up the road and wide, open views in every direction.
  
  There is around a hectare of land with fruit trees and olive trees, and we produce our own olive oil. There is space for growing vegetables, keeping things simple and seasonal, and deepening the connection with the land through the different seasons.
  
  The farmhouse is comfortable and full of character, with room to shape and improve over time. A large 40-metre barn stands just below the house, full of possibilities, and the downstairs space is slowly becoming a gathering place for music, movement, shared meals, and creative expression.
  
  Solar and photovoltaic panels already provide hot water and electricity in the summer, and there is a well on the land that may become a future project.
  
  For Workawayers, life here moves with a natural rhythm as much as possible - particularly in the hottest months. Some days are hands-on and practical when you'll be working in the garden, tending the land, improving the living spaces, and bringing new creative ideas to life.
  
  Other days open up into something more spacious - cooking together, sitting outside as the light changes, sharing stories, music, or simply enjoying the quiet and beauty.
  
  I love to feel a creative energy here. With things evolving through doing, through presence, through small steps that gradually shape the space into a place to relax and feel alive.
  
  This place is ideal for you, if you:
  Feel at ease in nature and enjoy working with your hands.
  Bring a sense of openness, curiosity, and care to what you do.
  Are comfortable taking initiative and also happy to move with the flow of the day.
  Appreciate both connection and space.
  
  You might enjoy cooking, gardening, building, creating, or simply being part of a shared experience where each person contributes something of themselves.
  
  You’ll have the chance to spend time in a beautiful, peaceful part of Italy, with access to the sea, the mountains, and the richness of local village life.
  
  Food is an important part of life here - simple and fresh, and it's fun to share meals at lunchtime or in the evenings. I would love to share food shopping and meal preparation, but I am not able to provide meals for my Workaway guests.
  
  There is time to work, time to rest, and time to enjoy the land and surroundings.
  
  This is a place to slow down, reconnect, and take part in something that is growing naturally over time, and the space is being shaped by the people who come here through their energy, creativity, and presence that each person brings.
  
  If you feel drawn to that kind of experience, you’ll likely feel very at home here.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  House & pet sitting
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  Interests

  

  Sustainability

  

  Culture

  

  Self development

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  Plant care

  

  DIY & crafts

  

  Gardening

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Animals

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Nature

  

  Hiking

  

  Mountain

  

  Beach
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Travellers will get the chance to be part of creating this natural oasis of course, but on top of this I am a professional life coach with more than 20 years' experience in supporting people in creating their own dreams and I would love travellers to share their dreams with me and I will help them through creative conversations to create a vision and start on the journey to making whatever makes their heart sing a reality. I am also a qualified teacher of English and speak fluent Italian - so if learning a language is an ambition of yours, then this could be a great opportunity.

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  Help

  I'd love people to bring their knowledge of permaculture, house maintenance and eco-living so we can take the property to the next level in terms of sustainable living. There are repair and renovation projects that need doing - from small painting tasks to more substantial building projects. A willingness to take care of pets - currently a dog and 6 chickens is also really useful.
  
  The house is in good state or repair but needs some Tender Loving Care:
  Specific skills needed immediately:
  Preparing walls, doors and windows for painting, filling holes and cracks, decorating, and possibly plastering
  Grouting floor tiles, and caulking to prevent leaks and drafts.
  Renovating furniture - sanding, preparing wood, re-painting etc.
  Making curtains and using a sewing machine
  
  There are larger projects such as creating a space for activities such as yoga, breathwork, music, and dance. This would involve putting down a wooden floor, boxing pipes, door and window fixing, plastering and decorating, so if you have these skills that would be amazing.
  
  My greatest dream is to make the homestead as eco-friendly and sustainable as possible - hence, I would love to host knowledgeable and skilled people who are passionate about permaculture and creating flourishing natural environments.
  
  Specific projects include:
  Creating an "orto" (vegetable garden) - fencing to keep out wild animals, planning and planting and tending vegetable plants using regenerative approaches
  Pruning and tending a fruit orchard - jarring and preserving produce
  Pruning and tending olive trees and harvesting in late November
  Tending the land, cutting the grass and staying on top of the garden.
  
  I would also love to host people who know about water conservation - rainwater capture and irrigation and alternative power sources - I have recently installed photovoltaics and solarpanels for electricity and hot water and would love to explore wind power, etc. There is even a well to renovate.
  
  There is so much potential - and a genuine opportunity to contribute to creating something very special that will serve travellers and guests into the future.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Italian: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  I am a very experienced English Language teacher and happily help travellers with their English. I am also fluent in Italian, but it is not my mother tongue.
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  Accommodation

  There is a mini apartment ideal for singles or couples with an en-suite shower room and independent access so you can come and go as you please - the cooking facilities would be shared, and I envisage most meals being prepared and shared around the big kitchen table or outside on the terrace in the main house.
  
  In return for about 15 hours' help a week I would love to share food shopping and meal preparation, but am not able to provide meals for travellers.

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  What else ...

  The house is about a mile from the nearest village, which you can walk up the hill to in about 40 minutes, where there are places to eat, a supermarket, and a couple of bars to enjoy your Italian coffee. The property is situated between the mountains and the sea, and the panorama is stunning. Cycling is really popular.
  
  You would ideally need transport if you feel like visiting the beach, the mountain lakes, or some of the amazing villages and towns in the area. You are free to walk from the house down into the valley and along the river.
  
  Electric bikes can be hired from the agriturismo next door, where there is also a fabulous restaurant during the summer months. The real appeal of the place is the quiet, natural beauty so slinging a hammock under the trees and reading or walking down by the river or writing or painting might be the perfect way to spend your downtime.

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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

  You would have your own space to work from and there is excellent Wifi in most of the house. I work online with my clients from all over the world without any problems.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Yes there is a perfect location to park your campervan with access to an independent bathroom.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  I have a female English setter called Trinity who gets on well with most other dogs. So well-behaved dogs are welcome

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

  

  Trinity

  7-year-old female English Setter - I adopted her from a hunter who had no use for her three years ago.

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