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Description
Housesit my lovely cottage, cats, dogs and goats for a week.
I am a 55 year old woman, living in a tiny village in the deep rural area of the semi-arid Namaqualand, Northern Cape Province, South Africa. I share my space with 3 cats and 4 dogs, and the property is home to three milking goats as well. I work for a conservation NGO, which keeps me busy during the week. I also run a small tourism accommodation facility. I practice slow-living, reading a lot, sourcing a lot of food locally, the goats provide me with milk and the hens with eggs. I like cooking meals from scratch and baking my own bread. Once a month I have a stand at the local market, selling second hand books, which I also sell online. In September the landscape is transformed by masses of spring flowers. I love my cottage, which leans to Bohemian and to have a glass of wine on the porch which has a spectacular view of the Kamiesberg mountains.Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
Animal Care
Help around the house
House sitting
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
There is no big cultural experience that I can offer, but you will be staying in a comfortable home, enjoying peace and quiet in a safe and beautiful environment. There is a small home library, an outdoor cooking area on the porch and access to natural areas within a five minute walk from the house.
If your stay dates coincide with the market day, you can visit and sample local and homemade goods
You can experience the unique atmosphere in a small rural village in Namaqualand.Help
I work full-time for a conservation ngo and live alone, with a house, animals and a garden to take care of. In January 2025, I will be travelling and need a housesitter to look after my animals,the house and garden. I will leave on the 26th, so can show you the ropes first. The cupboards and fridge will be stocked, but you need to cook for yourselve.
I can teach you to milk goats and how go take care of goats. A cleaner comes once a week, but I expect volunteers to keep the house in a reasonable state.
There is farmland close to the house where you an walk.
It is really important to me that I can entrust the animals and plants to a responsible person who will perform feeding, walking and watering as indicated.
Your total time spent on duties will likely not be more than 3 hours a day
There is very little in terms of entertainment, and you would need to be self-contained and able to function in a slow-paced environment.Languages
Languages spoken
Afrikaans: Fluent
English: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
I would love to learn some Spanish.Accommodation
You will have your own bedroom in my cottage. The bathroom will be shared.
You have to be comfortable with animals in the house.
I have no television, but I have entered the online second hand book business, so there is plenty to read. There is farmland at the end of my street where you can go for walks, the dogs will love walking with you.What else ...
The village, Kamieskroon, has an agricultural shop which also stocks basic foodstuffs, a small grocery shop, a cafe and two liquor stores, as well as a coffee shop.
There is a clinic and in my absence, I will arrange with a friend for any trips to the closest bigger centre, Springbok, including for healthcare needs, and grocery shopping.
While I am here, we can share cooking duties, and the grocery cupboards, fridge and freezer will be stocked to provide you with food, which you will have to cook yourself, in my absence. Otherwise cooking (and dishes) duties are shared.
I don't smoke, but smokers are welcome, you can indulge on the porch or the deck.
IMPORTANT: Volunteers need to get to Kamieskroon under their own steam. Several minibus taxi companies run taxis daily from Cape Town to Kamieskroon and will drop you right at our door.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
Campervans and motor homes welcome, I have a large yard. Preferably no more than two people and provision of own food for the second person
How many Workawayers can stay?
One