Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
29 Apr 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
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Details
Description
Hi! I'm James, 46, British, lived in Northern Spain's mountains my whole adult life, now in the 'Campo de Gibraltar', in Tarifa, in the South! I'm happy to open my doors and heart again to a person, a soul, seeking to learn; growing food; permaculture; foraging; homesteading & self-sustainability; health & nutrition & fitness; living simply; importance of local Community & connection.
I offer real connection, and a desire to share what I've learned over 20 years of 'living on the land'. This person will effectively live in community with me, joining and meeting my tribe. On my last farm in Asturias I hosted hundreds of volunteers over 15 years, many of whom I'm still in touch with, and I produced everything I consumed. Now on the southern coast, transitioning into a new life, living in a new climate, new flora, new tribe, on new land, with new ways, I continue my connection and learning, although I don't currently produce meat or eggs and I can't produce everything like before - this time I currently don't own the land I live on, which might be interesting for you to see how that works. I feel after 5 years here in this new land, I've put down enough shallow roots to be able to sustain a 'volunteer', someone who wants to share the blessings of life with me, whilst I have a desire to pass on gems I've learned along the way.
I incorporate permaculture and No Dig practices in my gardens (working with the moon when I can). Weaned off convenience foods, preferring a simpler, wholesome diet which forms the basis of my way of life, finding joy in simplicity. During the seasons I love to forage wild herbs, berries and mushrooms to supplement my diet, as well as eating food from the vegetable garden.
Cooking and eating I envision to be shared together. Sorry I can't cater for vegans. Drinking water in the whole village comes from a mountain spring. I look for a balanced happy medium in self-sufficiency, not being so hardcore as I used to be! If you come and help me we'll effectively be living in Community together, sharing day to day life and it's chores and it's wonders, living in the moment. There's no internet at the cabin unless you have it on your phone.
Offer good food and warm bed in exchange for honest work and good companionship, sharing the adventure of Life intimately in a small village in Tarifa. Simple living. I'm looking forward to hearing from you :)
ONLY HAPPY AND JOYFUL PEOPLE PLEASE! :)
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
Interests
Self development
Movies & TV
Farming
Plant care
History
Gardening
Animals
Outdoor activities
Nature
Hiking
Mountain
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I put emphasis on helpers learning from their experience. It ought to be a two-way exchange, and I endeavour to share all I've learnt about living on the land self-sustainably. One will be able to learn the art of living on a little land simply, wholesomely, happily, healthily, cheaply and harmoneously on a flat piece of land under the shade of trees within the natural paradise of Tarifa.
Please don't request to stay if you're just travelling through Tarifa and want a convenient and free place to volunteer close to the beach and nature. There are plenty other options for that. I'm looking for someone who seriously wants to learn important survival skills in a changing, unstable world. I actually don't currently have a huge need for a volunteer, this hostpage is more a heart impulse; a cup that runneth over has abundance to share. I endevour to inspire, but I also seek to learn and be inspired by the people who come and join me. It would help if you spoke some Spanish, but it's not a prerequisite.
Help
All abilities welcome due to the diverse nature of the project. Tasks vary, depending on the season.
Work to do in 2025:
I'm planting and collaborating in two veggie gardens this season, so there's always stuff to do there. One follows permaculture principles, the other is more of a community effort with old local boys who till the land. I also want to fortify an old chicken coop to keep chickens, so there's some building needed. Setting up a solar shower would be nice. Help with cooking.
Looking for a soul to help me with these things :-)
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Accommodation
The accommodation I can offer is basic, and only room for one guest. I sleep in a small cabin, with kitchen & bathroom. Next to this there's a walk-through garage with a sofa bed which I can offer you, but it's not very pretty. We'll share the cabin space. There's also a separate compost toilet. No hot water (yet) but I have an outdoor wood-fired hot tub in the field beneath the stars, and plenty water for cold showers (a hot solar shower's my next project). All of this is very much in nature, and feels like it! - you'll be exposed to Nature's elements, like camping or living in a tipi, life is outdoors here.
What else ...
I like hiking, I'm happy to show you around the beautiful sites.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Feedback (6)
Ones I walked in the forest with James and I saw old chestnuts, very big and beautiful, big… read more
Photos
Feedback
Ones I walked in the forest with James and I saw old chestnuts, very big and beautiful, big… read more
After nearly a year of volunteering on organic farms… read more
Normally we woke up around eight (some mornings we did yoga before work) and worked… read more
