Come help us and experience the beautiful Guadalest valley between Alicante and Valencia, Costa Blanca, Spain

Infos

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  Description

  Welcome, my name is Gabrielle.
  
  My only goal for this property was to establish a distinctive Bed and Breakfast experience, one that is a welcoming home for myself, family, friends visitors to enjoy “a home away from home” filled with eclectic furniture and collectables handed down from family generations, my own travels and life experiences to allow each room to have its own style and story to share. 20+yrs later I now believe the finca magic would be more suitable as a small retreat centre for like minded people wanting meditative, yoga, artistic nature and fitness oriented workshops with the great energy of 360 surround mountain horizons, scattered quaint villages and a glimpse at the Mediterranean Sea...
  
  For those interested, most important is to know the property is entirely "off grid". This means all electricity is supplied by solar panels/battery banks/ backup generators which results in consumption limitations. Spring water is piped and stored in a water quality tank for our house needs and rest transits in the "balsa". In summer the limited hot water sanitary supply is provided by solar system and in winter by cranking up a gasoil boiler. The casitas are on a separate year round butane heated hot water systems. During the winter, heating is with traditional wood burning stoves. Though abundant amount of trees are on the finca, reality of stoking all the wood burning stoves is the result of many hours of previous year pruning followed up with ongoing winter chainsawing and heaving wood for usage/storage. Anyone who comes here must be willing to adapt to living with above factors always in mind and finca is not for night owls or late risers.
  
  For those working online is the recent installation of Starlink satélite internet system throughout buildings which seems to work for normal needs (tough I do not use it for more than email, whatsapp and Youtube myself.
  
  To anyone interested please be fully aware that all outdoor tasks done on finca involve established physical disposition(endurance either given all is carried out nature on mountainous clay hillside grounds or due to variation of seasonal weather conditions and one´s need abilities to handle heat in summer and wind in winter as well as slippery terrain when raining.
  
  To date the finca has also been a loving home to many abandoned/abused animals. We currently only have large 2 dogs, 2 cats, an outdoor aviary of parakeets, plus Hercules and Valentino who are the finca´s indispensable ecological grass cutters and devoted munching/mulching endearing 2 donkeys.
  
  Personally I choose whenever possible to be outdoors doing whatever is needed on routine (or emergency basis). What some consider “my daily long day of hard work” is actually to me "my joyful expression of life".
  
  I appreciate this is certainly not a life style for everyone, so any interested party beyond a definite love for nature must be able to adapt to alternative energy life style, and comfortable with project always in motion for a stay on the finca requires creativity and thinking "out ofd the box" on daily basis.
  
  That been said in advance I thank those avid animal/nature lovers with happy mind set, gifted with working hands and positive spirit, interested in what I hope will be for you a very rewarding experience.
  
  I must conclude that one of the better aspects is the creation of very wonderful shared memories.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  Entretien général
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  When I relocate I tend to embrace the unknown, status quo or labels unsettled me. I am high energy, creative, love colour, uniqueness and am passionate about giving old/discarded items a renewed right to glory. I have done "distress paint effects", “shabby chic”, “up cycling” and more, long before all became fashionable trends. I will gladly share my 40 years of techniques working with you so to turn more concepts into reality: indoors and out!
  I am a “people person”, but absolutely need my time alone... with pets! I choose to actually live my own life verses endless theories of what life should be about. I love good humour, out of the box positive thinking and the puzzle solving approach. I never fail to appreciate the beauty and complexity of nature. Due to the variety of world cultures and circumstances, I do not endorse any single vision, philosophy or religion as the only established way of living.
  
  Aside from the above, with my 20 years’ + experience of working my way through the constantly changing labyrinths of the Spanish administrative systems (customs, property purchases, owner's rights, municipal permits, tourism rules and regulations etc..) I could possibly give insight on what to look out for anyone interested in a longer term stay in this country, Also I am always an eager worker myself and have a great power of adaptability, plus I can speak to you in English, French or Spanish depending on your preference.

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  Aide

  Given the increased heat it is preferable to be able to start early morning (7 to noon or start by 9am latest) an of day and evenings free. Experience has shown that "night owls" are not suitable to reality of finca life style.
  Tasks needing addressing vary according to skills and aspirations of workawyers.
  
  At this point having completed just about all of the building phase I would greatly appreciate some help with:
  - General maintenance DYI and "post building touch ups" (such a tile/grout cleaning or replacing, new application of silicone where missing or too old) and other time that can be either indoors or outdoors.
  - Grounds maintenance (from weeding to constant anti erosion fortifications needed on main finca or at springs).
  - Basic (or greater) electrical abilities welcomed to either finish or improve on current displays.
  - Outdoor wooden furniture and beams frequently needing another linseed oil application.
  - 100m2 attic to be converted into open plan conference room come apartment if needed, in up cycled eclectic look using all materials on site.
  
  All in all this is certainly not a beginner's site and I truly require some genuine knowledgeable and responsible adults so work can be of lasting duration.

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  Langues parlées

  Anglais: Courant
  Espagnol: Courant
  Français: Courant

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  Hébergement

  There is a 30m2 open plan individual casita (single or double occupancy) with kitchenette and bathroom and bed/ bathroom linens are supplied and weekly clothes washing facilitated. On certain occasions a single workawayer may prefer to share main house facilities of main house and stay in private ensuite bedroom of said building.
  
  Food wise have done different methods: pre agreed cash amount for weekly food allowance and workawayer does own shopping, or I can do the shopping within said budget. Generally I provide and restock basic requirements: tea/coffee/milk, bread/oats, butter/peanut butter/jam, pasta/rice/potatoes, legumes/eggs and seasonal fruit and veggies. Other beverages, meat/fish and special needs or greater quantities are according to inspiration or workawayer responsibility. Due to variety of food likes or restrictions I have found it better for meals to be self catering by Workawayers though we generally have a social get together on weekly basis.
  
  I cannot insist enough on the imperative need to respect our “off grid “energy usage requirements. This means learning to live according to sun light schedule. This is especially important in winter month where the need to live on daylight routine is imperative and not keep bulbs running in bedrooms all night long.
  REgarding water comnsumption is also improttrant to keep usage to mimimum and in this drought year to be cosncious to make upmost use of all water to ensure garden area can also benefit.
  There is no objection to smokers though I request no Smoking inside bedrooms and specifically stipulate not being under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol during our working time and always respectful behavior to anyone on the finca at time..

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  Autres infos...

  We agree together on schedule with mutual understanding of need to adapt tasks to weather and supplies at hand. Evenings are always free for ur R&R time.
  
  The property is large. The buildings and grounds have been designed to optimise privacy. The Guest House residents have exclusive use of their terraces.
  In and around the main house and its adjacent terraces, we kindly request respect of our privacy, as our dogs consider these areas their “base camp” and "duty to guard". No dogs ever allowed in bedrooms either and given the animosity between cats and dogs careful organisation is carried to ensure there are no conflicts.
  
  Depending on your own activity level the following is available right outside the gate:
  Hiking: ample selection, long or short trails, with varying levels of challenge or upkeep.
  Cycling: requires strong ability for hill climbing and need for own bicycle.
  Fishing: catch is carp, rumours of black trout.
  Water activities: Experienced swimmers can enjoy our "balsa" a deep garden water holding tank, and/or adventure into open water swimming in the dam at own risk.
  Guadalest swimming pool a 20 min walk away only available in July/August for a daily fee. Its adjacent short basket ball court/soccer area is free and opened year round.
  Rock climbing: 2 marked routes off public swimming pool road.
  
  Socialising: the local villages offer cafes&bars, restaurants, markets& shops. They have seasonal hours and activities. Most villages are easily accessible along footpaths (30min minimum walk). The local villages are fairly active in summer months but a bit lost town feeling out of public holidays the rest of the year.
  
  Transportation: There is very little public transport available within the valley of Guadalest. Having own vehicle is a definite advantage!
  Private taxis can be arranged from Benidorm though tariff is based on driver’s round trip fare. If a workawayer is flying training or busing into Alicante or Benidorm, I go and pick them up upon arrival.
  Long distance buses are available to Alicante, Valencia town and airports and other destinations. The Alicante airport is an hour away/ Valencia airport 2 hours away with a low cost airport or main city shuttle bus between them and Benidorm main bus depot with easy airport shuttle buses.
  
  The reality of the Guadalest valley is that having your own transportation is best!
  This allows you to explore further afield (be it the inland or coastal towns, beaches and better known tourist attractions (Aqualandia, Terra Mitica).
  
  Nearest medical care is 30 minutes away. We request anyone staying at las Palmeras to carry adequate travel or other medical insurance valid for your stay and medical care in Spain.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  Best would be to state actuall needs and can check with Starlink providers if our mountainous setting meets your requirements.

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  If choosing to saty in one´s own camper, and average size one with its own solar system can park in a private flat tarmac area with suffici net privacy from the other buildings. I can also facilitate a weekly filling up of water storage tanks an d use of a building bathroom during stay if desired. There is however no electrical hook up facilities.

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  Possibilité d'accueillir les animaux

  The only limited possibility could be 1 dog, well trained and highly responsive to it´s workawayer owner(s). This requirement is because I have 2 rescue castrated males (7 and 5 year old) rather set in their ways and with strong distinctive characteristics of their respective their breeds. Indeed Guapo, the Malinois cross, is always too eager to seek a buddy to escape off property for a roam in the woods or lakeshore, and Bear, the Mastin Leon, on contrary is totally home devoted with dominance/jealousy issues towards any visiting canine due to his wanting to protect me and immediate surroundings of main house. To add to the challenge of having a visiting dog, it should be well aware and respectful to never enter any of the donkey pastures for Hercules is extremely territorial and will chase/kick any animal intruder (something actually very useful to minimise the destructive impact of wild boars on grounds). Lastly a visiting dogs should not have any interest whatsoever in cats either! ... To date only had one successful experience with visiting dog Travis, however it took owners 1.5 months before they felt confident enough to let Bear and Travis approacj each other and in following 1.5months only a mild state of tolerance was reached on neutral finca grounds.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Deux

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  Nombre d'heures attendues

  Flexible in actual distribution of time though expect total per week of 25hrs dedicated help/person.

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