Help at my organic sheep farm and other tasks in Telemark, Norway

Details

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  Description

  I am a single woman, 61, running a small organic farm in Ulefoss, Telemark. I have 40 sheep and some chickens, two cats and a dog. I moved to this farm seven years ago, and I still have a lot of projects going on.
  
  I need someone to come here late August/ beginning of September. I haven't had any workawayers here since lambing in April, so now i want more company again. :-)
  I work alone for the most, but sometimes it's so nice to work together.
  
  Looking for a person who could come and help for two weeks, or maybe two people for one week each. The tasks will be different minor things around the house and in the barn. Also help me put the sheep on the trailer to move them from the forrest to back home. That is always a bit difficult on my own, and I don't have a sheep dog. We will have to be the sheep dog. :-) After a long hot day, we go for a swim in the lake.
  The sheep also has to be sorted, - lambs by the farm, mothers in a different pasture. All the lambs has to have their wool classified before I send them off. That takes maybe a whole day, and is much easier when we are two.
  
  Other tasks might be help me clean the chicken house before autumn. We have lots of eggs, so please find recepies with many eggs. The chicken have free range, and they lay their eggs wherever they feel like. Not always easy to find.
  
  The barn has to be made ready for winter. That means to put the feeding thing/ 'catwalk' in the right place, to put out a thick layer of straw for their bed, some trailer loads of gravel just outside the barn door so it doesn't get so muddy.
  
  Help in the vegetable garden with various things, and paint some windowframes on my house.
  
  Then there is making firewood for the winter, if you want to. Some people love that job, others would rather to other things.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  When you come here you will see how Norwegians live on a typical small farm. I try to make as much as possible from our vegetable-garden, and I conserve wild berrys during summer for the next year.
  You will learn a lot about sheep and how to take care of them.

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  Help

  I have an Englishman, Andy, living here in a kind of flat downstairs. He came three years ago as a workawayer. 60 years old, no Norwegian, nice man, but with certain disabilities. He is not able to feed my sheep or do much other work, but he is capable of answering questions and sometimes drive the tractor. He had a brain surgery one year ago, and has just sort of stranded here, with no other place to go.
  
  
  Normally I love to play boardgames and sit around and talk. I used to travel a lot before, but now with the farm that is more difficult. Now I have to invite the world to come to me instead. :-)
  
  
  
  
  Skien and Porsgrunn is half an hour away with bus, they have everything you need. Ulefoss is four kilometres away, or half an hours walk if you take the shortcuts. Not much there, but three grocery stores and a bit more.
  
  Ten minutes walk up the hill behind the farm is a small three- wall- shed/ shelter, biuvak. It's on my property, and it's possible to sleep there for the night. Millions of stars when it's clear. And only ten minutes back to the farm if you get too cold. :-)
  
  20 min walk down the road is Norsjø, a big lake and a part of Telemarkskanalen. Several other smaller lakes to cool down in too.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  Norwegian: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  I have two spare bedrooms in the house, and soon one extra bathroom. Kitchen will be shared.
  Meals are not so regular, but we want to have at least dinner together. :-) It would be very nice if you could cook something from your country once or twice, but no stress.
  When it comes to other meals you are free to make and eat whatever you find in the house. Of course you clean what you have been using in the kitchen when you are finished.
  I don't smoke, and will appreciate if you don't either. I don't drink much, but I enjoy a glass or two of wine or beer when we play cards on the veranda. In winter we move inside and sit in front of the fireplace. I use almost only the woodburners in the house for heating, I really love the heat they give.

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  What else ...

  Ulefoss is a small place along the very famous canal of Telemark, Telemarkskanalen. It is said to be one of the most beautiful waterways in the world. When the canal was completed in 1892 it was called the eitght wonder by the British travellers that were here at that time. It connects the coast of Telemark with the inland through a number of locks. One can go there by one of the old passenger boats or rent a canoe and padle.
  The nearest bigger places are Skien and Porsgrunn, with all facilities, about 30 min by car. Buses every hour. There are numerous hiking options in the aerea, everything from 5 minutes to as long as you could possibly want.

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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

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

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

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