Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
30 Apr 2025
Reply rate
89.6 %
Usually responds within 23 days
Feedback
29
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Details
Description
Hello (or as we say here “Hola a todos!” We are Tony and Lauren, a couple (in our late 30’s/early 40’s) from the U.K. who gave up our rather normal suburban lives in the South of England for pastures new here in Galicia, Northwest Spain.
We began our journey back in late 2021 when we purchased our Galician farm here in Vilalba, Lugo with a bold (and somewhat brave) vision to breed and (in the near future) run an alpaca trekking business here in Galicia. Our farm is a short distance from the prestigious pilgrimage the ‘Camino de Santiago,’ which attracts pilgrims and tourists from all across the world. We are located walking distance of the Camino del Norte route, so our goal eventually is to open our farm up to the public (families, tourists and pilgrims alike) and offer the opportunity to walk the alpacas as part of their Camino experience - Camino de Alpacas! As a social enterprise, we are also hoping to offer a education to local schools, colleges and veterinary universities and practices; in addition to exploring the animal therapy aspect with care homes, hospices and day centres for those with disabilities.
Unfortunately “pastures new” did not mean that “the grass is always greener on the other side.” We have been met with a lot of bureaucracy and red tape, so our beloved alpacas (who had to go in to a year long quarantine prior to export from the U.K.) only arrived here in Spain at the end of June 2023. Since that time our sole focus has been on getting our herd of 9 (5 hembras and 4 machos) settled and climatized to lush Galician grazing and social interaction again. Their training and development has been phenomenal, they are (as we say here) “ Muy cariñosa” ~ very affectionate and the younger members of our herd actively seek out kisses and attention from new faces on farm. Alpacas are fascinatingly curious and a friendly subspecies of the camelid family and to steal a kiss or have a soft cuddle with this super fleecy bunch, is a truly wonderful experience.
So what stage are we at now I hear you ask! We have installed paddocks for our beloved “pacaniños” (as we call them as they are our kidpacas and we their pacaparents!) and have been working the land to make it more habitable (removing toxic plants/vegetation etc) reinforcing the perimeter fenceline ( from predators and vectors). We have done a tonne of work on the barns to make it safe, waterproof, and accessible. Planting new trees and bushes to promote growth. We have drawn up a blueprint for an allotment/vegetable plot where we will be looking to grow as much of own food as possible. Working on our outbuildings; one a workshop/man cave full of tools, DIY projects and tractor parts. Another is a large open barn woodstore and then we have our traditional Galician Horreo (an elevated grain store).
we are excited about our new life and the adventures we'll have, if we can meet some great people on the way we couldn't ask for more.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
General Maintenance
Interests
Videography
Technology
Self development
Movies & TV
Farming
Events & social
Culture
Charity work
Books
Music
Photography
Plant care
Cooking & food
Gardening
Drawing & painting
DIY & crafts
Art & design
Animals
Hiking
Outdoor activities
Nature
Dancing
Cycling
Camping
Beach
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Mainly some very good company but also the opportunity to develop existing practical skills or even learn some new ones in a pretty relaxed environment. Get to explore Galician gastronomy, culture and traditions. Excellent places nearby to trek, take leisurely walks, swim (there is a natural spring a shortdrive, which is very popular with the locals!) we are 40 mins from breathtaking beaches and 30 mins from Lugo city centre and UNESCO world heritage site for its Roman Fortification. The famous Santiago de Compostela is an hours drive away as is La Coruna.
We would be happy to help with working on your English skills too!
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We'll need help with improving some of the outbuildings, such as the barns. General day to day care of the alpacas; feeding, husbandry, trekking/training. Mucking out of barns and paddock maintenance and cleaning. Gardening and preparation for an allotment ‘grow your own’ garden.
Within the farmhouse, help with decorating and creating a ‘Boot room’ so that we can keep wellies, waterproofs and farm attire/supplies in this area and separate from the main living area. Some light decoration; painting of the living room and volunteer bedroom walls and ceiling.
For a more experienced workawayer (with ideally some level of carpentry skill) we are seeking someone who can help or assist with repairing and/or rebuilding and replacing exterior wooden window shutters. We are also (in the new year) looking for someone that can help with replacing the railings on our balcony.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
French: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
We live on a 5 acre farm, with a traditional Galician stone build farmhouse that we are currently in the process of renovating. Our property has;
- 4 spacious double bedrooms, all with fitted wardrobes
- 2 bathrooms (1 is an en-suite)
- a large farmhouse kitchen with built-in fireplace (also known as a “Lareira”, a traditional “La cocina de leña” (Galician wood stove cooker), a professional gas cooker, fridge/freezer and dishwasher.
- a large sitting/living room complete with sofa/armchairs and a brand new fitted wood stove. A television for leisure time.
For our workaway guest, we offer a comfortable double room with fitted wardrobes, a window with a view of the alpaca barns, landscape views to the rear of our property. The double room has a private bathroom directly next to it, for convenience of our guests. Bathroom is a little old fashioned in terms of its decor/tiles, but fully functioning bath/shower, sink basin, toilet and bidet.
What else ...
As far as your time off goes you couldn't wish to be in a more beautiful part of Spain, the food is so good we couldn't do it justice with a description and for those of a religious nature the Cathedral at Santiago and the pilgrim routes are a true wonder.
The amazing seaside towns are too numerous to mention although Viveiro and Playa De Catedrales are particular favourites of ours, you will no doubt have a great time exploring this quieter corner of Spain.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
There will be room to park a campervan and electricity/water supply can be provided.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (14)
Their alpacas were so funny, cute and loving (also sometimes a bit stubborn) and it was a very special experience to get to know them.
The volunteer-work always felt easy. There were usually the alpaca-tasks like… read more
Milli started her… read more
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Their alpacas were so funny, cute and loving (also sometimes a bit stubborn) and it was a very special experience to get to know them.
The volunteer-work always felt easy. There were usually the alpaca-tasks like… read more
Milli started her… read more
There are many benefits, which include maximised productivity, sharing tasks that requires 2 people, companionship and… read more
Lotta came to us on the 2nd November with her good friend Klara (also one of the ‘WA Greats!’) and her enthusiasm and vitality… read more
I really don’t know how to put in words how amazing our stay with them was. They are incredibly open, friendly and cheerful. We had a lot of laughs as well as some meaningful chats. I loved the evenings by the fireplace that we spend watching a movie or… read more
We did mostly manual jobs that were all done well and always with a smile! Some great suggestions that we ended up using in the drainage project also showed her intelligence.
She will be a great help to any potential… read more
I spent some wonderful and interesting days with Lauren and Tony and their alpacas. It was a great experience for me, the alpacas all have their own character and it was great to watch them, feed them, take them to the pasture, even though I sometimes had respect for them. The work also included mucking out the… read more
Monika was instrumental… read more
Sophie arrived on the 12th September and stayed 2.5 weeks with us and our… read more
This was my first workaway experience and also first time traveling solo so of course I was a bit nervous about it but from the very first moment I met Lauren and Tony I felt 100% safe and… read more
They are everything a workaway host should be, I immediately felt at home with them.
They are very flexible with the work that you do, I wanted to hang around the alpacas as much as I could, so… read more
Maggie was so great and easy to get along with and quickly picked up the daily chores and alpaca care regime in record time. She would assist with the morning (and… read more
Xavi is quite simply an outstanding human being… read more
Before committing to this Workaway, I had a call with Lauren who gave me all the information I needed and sent me pictures of the farm. This level of transparency and communication was an important factor in my decision to participate in the project, and turned out to be a constant throughout… read more
The alpacas themselves are charming and fascinating animals and Lauren & Tony hold a wealth of… read more
Alex joined us on the 9th April and stayed a little over 3 weeks with us and was our 2nd ever workawayer on our farm. I thought our first workawayer set the bar high, but Alex really did astound us with her enthusiasm, stamina and wonderfully… read more
The alpacas are not early risers, so you can calmly eat your breakfast, drink coffee, and get ready… read more
I spent just over a month and a half with them and every day was a learning experience, they taught me so much, whether it was about alpacas, their experience in Galicia or their personal knowledge.
From the moment we met, I could count on their kindness and… read more
