Developing a community, arts and crafts centre in Cortegada (de Baños), Galicia, Spain

Infos

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  Description

  We are a small developing permaculture-style project with a locavore, pragmatist feel, in a rural area near the Portuguese border. 3 generations who have lived on several continents and on sailing boats, islands, in jungles, and more. We have a stone bread oven, covered and heated swimming pool, veg garden, orchards, woodlands, with riverbank walks at 200m distance. There's a small town, petroglyphs and hot springs 10 min away, larger towns 20-45 min away in 2 countries. We speak English, moderate French and Spanish. We’re restorers, craftsmen, keen cooks, and the art studios on the property are currently working in painting, ceramic sculpture, bronze, and textile crafts.
  We are developing ecological uses and teaching/encouraging the processing of local wool into a range of products from fertilizer to felt to yarn, by spinning and then using it to weave, knit, crochet, etc. to keep it out of the waste stream and give it value.
  Opportunities to try all the above arts and crafts, restore and use equipment such as spinning wheels, assist in craft revival in the area, teach your special skills, collaborate with other artists. Learn from a wide range of skills in house restoration, crafts, fine arts, and languages. Last summer we finished a separate camp-cottage 100m away, available now. Second house 5 min walk, with wood-stove, full bathroom, kitchen and washing machine, available to rent between projects.
  We offer private or shared space, some family meals (omnivore but can cater to some allergies/issues), kitchenette for breakfast/snacks, use of pool, small tent/van spaces. Regular social activities with musicians, other craftspeople. On a small Camino de Santiago, with many walking trails and historic centres nearby, buses 2x a day, 10 min drive to train, 45 to city/airport/high speed train. Local farms produce our wine, meat, eggs, etc. Bread delivered daily. Local fruit and veg. Cooking from scratch, international fusion. Current age range of inhabitants 37-84.
  Non-smoking.
  
  Starting a new non-Workaway project for summer 2025 and beyond - turning the old village shop and cafeteria into first a cafeteria/bar, then BBQ , and hopefully one day, restaurant and B&B. There will be a crafts and other teaching space (language lessons etc. by local teachers) and we're working towards a small cottage industry using chestnuts and fruit. This will not affect Workaways, but may mean less craft studio time (with studio space remaining available) and more gardening, cooking and home care.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Projets artistiques

  Pratique d’une langue

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Compagnie pour pers. âgée

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  Aide dans une ferme

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Livres

  

  Technologie

  

  Politique/justice sociale

  

  Dev. durable

  

  Culture

  

  Bénévolat

  

  Musique

  

  Histoire

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Art et design

  

  Langues

  

  Jardinage

  

  Cuisine et alimentation

  

  Architecture

  

  Arts du spectacle

  

  Dessin et peinture

  

  Menuiserie

  

  Astronomie

  

  Camping

  

  Nature

  

  Voile / bateau

  

  Montagne

  

  Sports nautiques

  

  Activités en plein air

  

  Randonnée
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  We have a huge range of skills and interests from 3 continents, and we're interested in all types of exchange of knowledge, community and heritage, particularly food-related, artistic, folkloric. Pragmatists with scientific outlook, sympathy with nature and environment preferred. We are not religious or superstitious, and tend to skepticism, scientific proof, leftwing humanism.

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  Aide

  We can use help -
  a) expanding our self-sufficiency in veg garden and by tree coppicing, pruning, planting, weeding, tool maintenance
  b)in the textile studio, spinning, weaving, feltmaking and/or making ceramics, tile etc.
  c) in the house, some daily chores.
  d) cleaning, repainting, decorating living spaces.

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Anglais: Courant
  Espagnol: Intermédiaire
  Français: Intermédiaire

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  We currently have one speaker of Eng/Fr/Sp, one of Eng/Fr, and one of Eng/Sp! So happy to do day-to-day activities and classes in any of the above but not all at once!
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  Hébergement

  Private room, shared bath in house, or bed/sofa beds with small shower-room in studios.
  Parking for small van adjacent. Roadside parking above and use of camp-cottage.
  Second house at 1 km away (6 min walk) sometimes available.
  There is good wifi, and cellphone reception. No smoking, no drugs, moderate alcohol users only, please.

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  Autres infos...

  We start with a week trial period, and would most like visits of one to three months by 1 or 2 people. Preferred age range 25 and over, unless very international background /well-traveled / with practical skills.
  
  We're 6 km from a small town so very rural. Nearby hiking, river with trout-fishing, swimming pool on property, many hot-springs in area, close to Portuguese border and several National Parks.
  
  Many arts and crafts available, with professional artist/art teacher for tips, lessons in your own time, use of equipment by arrangement. EFL /ESL teacher. TIME FOR CRAFTS WILL BE VERY LIMITED APRIL TO AUGUST 2025 DUE TO RESTAURANT PROJECT, so studio time mainly doing your own projects.
  
  We can also accommodate tent campers and smaller vans, who can have use of a separate half-bath, pool with outdoor shower, workshop space, etc. Washing machine available. Mild climate, frost rare. Summers up to 38C.
  
  You need sun gear, hats, decent work shoes and jeans for clearing bush and building work, otherwise light weight clothing, for swimming and hiking. Please tell us about allergies and phobias. We can cater to meat eaters and some vegetarians, we try to eat as much as possible from our land or locavore style, but we're not fanatical! We have cats, there are many cats and loose dogs in village.

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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

  We have a strong fibre connection, also in second house. Desk-space available in studios and bedrooms. Printer (B&W)/Scanner available. Tech expert [software engineer] in-house for issues!

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  Parking for smaller vans only due to small entrance gate and slope, narrow roads. Auto-caravan park 2 km away.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

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