I stayed on Lina and Dennie's Surf Farm for just over 2 weeks in May. It was my first Workaway experience and turned out to be exactly what I hoped for.
Lina and Dennie are very kind, down to earth people and were easy to get along with. Lina was very helpful and was always there to answer questions, but most of your time is spent living
… read more independently in the hostel. The place can get a bit quiet when there aren't any guests staying, and is a little lonely at first, but after a while it feels really peaceful and helps enhance the experience of the island.
The work was nearly all outdoors. My first week consisted of helping Lina take down a fence from their neighbour's farm and bringing it up to the surf farm where we had cleared off an area for horse riding. There was no strict time schedule and I would just spend a few hours each day down there. Their neighbours were also very kind and interesting to talk to, with a good sense of humour. The second week was spent mostly in the kitchen garden - planting vegetables, weeding and filling planters with clay. Another Workawayer, Laragh, was staying for this week so we did most of this together, which made the work a good bit easier and more fun. The work is pretty physical and you can be a bit tired afterwards, but it was very satisfying and rewarding to see the projects through to the end. Its also great to be outside most of the time, and you feel very refreshed after a few days of it.
Bornholm is an incredible island, full of picturesque villages surrounded by farmland, forests and stunning beaches. I was initially worried that getting their from my home in Ireland would be an issue, but there are regular ferries connecting the island with Ystad in Sweden, which can be gotten to by bus from either Copenhagen or Malmo (Rute 866 from Copenhagen airport offers a combined bus/ferry ticket to Ronne in Bornhom and is not too expensive). The buses on the island are pretty good so its easy to move around, but there is still a lot to do within cycle and walking distance. The town of Gudhjem is only a 15 min cycle away and is a really nice spot to walk around. There is a lovely walk along the coast between here and the farm. The more well known attractions like Hammershus and Osterlars Rundkirche are very impressive and well worth a visit, but it is equally enjoyable just sitting outside in the hostel or down on the beach and taking in the view.
Living in a more environmental manner while there is not too difficult. Theres something cool about brushing your teeth and washing the dishes outside while looking out across the sea! Disconnecting from technology while there is also really positive. It allows you to enjoy the experience far more, and i'm sure is of huge benefit to all aspects of peoples health. It also forces you to be more resourceful when looking for bus times and the location of certain attractions, rather than just using Google Maps!
Overall, it was a brilliant experience and I am massively thankful to Lina and Dennie for having me. It was a really authentic way to experience life on the island and immerse yourself in a different culture and way of life. I would highly recommend it, as both a Workaway and a somewhere to stay with friends for a weekend, and would be very happy to go back sometime. Cheers again for the experience, and I wish ye the absolute best for the future Lina and Dennie
DIY and building projects
Charity Work
Languages
Gardening
General Maintenance
Eco Projects
Helping around the house
Animal Care
Art Projects
Helping with Computers/ Internet
