Help us create a beautiful and green space in Wijdenes, the Netherlands

Infos

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  Description

  In 2025, our dream came true; we moved from the city to the quiet countryside north of Amsterdam, near the historic town of Hoorn.
  
  We, Daniëlle and Donato, live here with our cat Joe, in a traditional North Holland farmhouse built in 1893. The property features a separate guesthouse/homeoffice where you will be staying.
  
  We have 3,585 square meters of meadow and garden and a beautiful, open view over a typical Dutch polder landscape, an old windmill, and a small forest. The farm is not longer in function, so we have demolished a huge shed and have created a garden and built a traditional small Dutch shed to give the property a more romantic, homely look and feel.
  
  🏖️Within walking or cycling distance is the Markermeer lake, which is perfect for swimming. On bike you can explore the countryside with cute villages, and nearby historical towns such as Enkhuizen and Hoorn. 45 minutes by public transport is Amsterdam. Ofcourse we can do some sightseeing by car if you like us to show you some more of this part of Holland!
  
  🏠Your Accommodation: Your Own Private Guesthouse
  
  When you stay with us, you will have the guesthouse to yourself. This comfortable and private space includes:
  A very spacious living room with a fully equipped kitchen (with dining table).
  Large sliding glass doors offering a stunning view of the polder.
  A spacious bedroom with a double bed, two single mattrasses (and lits jumeaux duvet). You are welcome to come as a single traveler, though a couple or two friends have our preference!
  
  You also have a private shower, sink, separate toilet, and a laundry area with a washing machine.
  
  Behind the guesthouse there is your own big garden area with apple trees, a patio, dining table, sunbeds, and a parasol.
  
  Privacy Note: Donato uses the office (located in the bungalow immediately to the left of the entrance) part-time on weekdays (mostly 2,5 days from 8.30-17.00/8.30-14.00).
  Your privacy is fully respected as this office is separate from your living quarters.
  
  🐏You will enjoy an open view of the surroundings and be encompassed by nature—you'll see sheep, runner ducks, chickens, various birds, and bats. Our cute cat Joe occasionally stops by for a friendly visit! Want to feed the animals? Thats possible.
  
  🧽There's a washing machine so you can wash your clothes. Ofcourse we expect you to leave the guesthouse clean when you leave: used bedclothes and towels in the washroom/ washing machine, cleaning the kitchen, bathroom and toilet and vacuuming the bungalow.
  
  Please keep the kitchen tidy, especially in summer when food and rubbish attracts animals/bugs. You have a dishwasher at your disposal.
  
  Smoking is no problem as long as you do it outside and collect the butts.
  
  🍲Food & Meals
  You are very welcome to join us in our farmhouse for a vegetarian dinner in the evenings. Want to try typical Dutch food? We would love to prepare it for you!
  
  After dinner we clean up the kitchen together.
  
  For your breakfast and lunch we will provide a well-stocked fridge (to be discussed with you) so you can easily prepare food in your private kitchen.
  
  🛠️ What We Need Help With
  We've worked hard since moving here, and much has been renovated—the property is getting more beautiful all the time! We are letting a part of our land untouched for the wild animals, and some hobby sheep graze on another part of the meadow. We have also started a biological vegetable garden and have apple and plum trees.
  
  We are looking for some help to move forward with our plans.
  
  Depending on your experience, the weather and what you enjoy, we have plenty of rewarding tasks (to be discussed) such as various DIY jobs in/on the farmhouse and guesthouse, further development of our organic vegetable garden, electric lawn mowing, or creating pathways, putting a bat house up, etcetera. Some experience might be good, as we can't work along al the time due to our dayjobs.
  
  Note: all the animals except our cat, are our neighbours animals. They walk around on our meadow too, but we don't have to maintain these animals.
  
  We highly value your input, sense of humor, independence, and proactive, can-do attitude!
  
  🗣️ Language & Interests
  Languages: We both speak fluent Dutch and English. We understand and speak some German and understand some Spanish/Italian. The main language of communication will be Dutch and/or English.
  
  Interests: We are interested in people and society, animals, nature, philosophy, culture, and much more. Donato works for a Dutch NGO, and Daniëlle works part-time for her own online company and can help you where needed.
  
  🚌 Transport & Getting Around
  During the day, a bus runs once an hour to Hoorn, a lovely city full of sights and culture.
  
  From Hoorn, you can take a direct train to Amsterdam Central Station.
  
  We can also pick you up and drop you off at the station by arrangement.
  
  You are welcome to borrow bicycles from us for short rides, or rent e-bikes in the village to explore the beautiful surroundings and towns.
  
  We are flexible if you want to swap workdays for weekend days, as long as you communicate on time.
  
  More Than Just Work
  There is, of course, plenty of time for a snack and drink, conversations, laughs, sightseeing the old villages and towns, or simply gazing at the clouds and enjoying the peace and quiet around you...
  
  If you are interested or have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us!

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Végétarien ou végan

  

  Dev. durable

  

  Dev. personnel

  

  Politique/justice sociale

  

  Animaux de compagnie

  

  Films et télé

  

  Ferme

  

  Culture

  

  Bénévolat

  

  Soin des plantes

  

  Langues

  

  Histoire

  

  Jardinage

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Cuisine et alimentation

  

  Livres

  

  Animaux
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  Our little village dates back to at least 1311, so it's a great place to learn more about Dutch history and culture, with lots of old towns like Hoorn, Volendam, Amsterdam and Enhuizen within 30-60 minutes travelling distance.
  
  When staying at our house, you can learn about and discuss Dutch history, culture and politics with us. And if you would like to learn more about ancient philosophy, such as Stoicism or Platonism, we would be happy to share our knowledge with you. We own an online school with practical philosophical courses. If you're interested, we will provide you with free access to one of our online courses and some philosophical books (in Dutch/English) to read while you stay with us.
  
  Do you prefer to work on some practical skills? We also love to share information about vegetarian cooking, gardening or tree pruning. Or share our knowledge and passion for vintage furniture, interior design, environmental issues, and thrift shopping.
  
  We love to meet new people from all over the world and widen our horizons. We are looking forward to meeting you and having good conversations in the evening around the dinner table, learning about each other's cultures and way of life.

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  Aide

  We are looking for people to help us with tasks in and around the house and guesthouse. Also we might need some help with our vegetable garden, electric grassmowing, creating pathways in our garden/meadow, etcetera.
  Our property used to be an old sheepfarm with lots of concrete and hardly any green. We are on our way to make it a nice, welcoming and, above all, green place for both animals and ourselves. We love to share the beautiful place with you!
  
  We have a lot of animals around us, like sheep, ducks, chickens, a cat, and every now and then the neighbours dog, so you have to be an animal lover!

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Anglais: Courant
  Hollandais: Courant
  Allemand: Débutant
  Espagnol: Débutant
  Français: Débutant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  If you speak German, French, Spanish or Italian, we would like to learn more of your language. We can teach you Dutch or English.
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  Hébergement

  A standalone guesthouse with an amazing view of the Dutch country side. A bedroom with 2-person bed, internet, shower, toilet, big living room and your own fully equipped kitchen. You also have your own private outside area to sit and enjoy the view and sun.
  
  You are very welcome to join us in our farmhouse for a vegetarian dinner in the evenings. If you want to try typical Dutch meals, we will be happy to cook these for you!
  
  For your breakfast and lunch we will provide a well-stocked fridge (to be discussed with you) so you can easily prepare breakfast & lunch in your private kitchen.

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  Autres infos...

  There is plenty to do in the surroundings: from hiking, biking and swimming to visiting beautiful old towns such as Enkhuizen, Hoorn, Volendam, Edam and ofcourse Amsterdam. Theres a padelcentre nearby. Its a rural and quiet area but towns are always nearby in Holland. Our location is not really suitable if you want to experience city- and nightlife. If you prefer the more quiet Dutch country life and a place to enjoy nature, animals and old towns/villages, you'll love it!

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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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  Espace pour garer des vans

  We have enough parkingspace for your campervan on our property. You'll enjoy your views!

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Deux

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  Mes animaux

  

  Ginger Joe

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