Homestead in authentic part of Spain not very touristic, near the beach

Cádiz

Updated 1 month ago

Tranquil homestead in authentic Spanish coastal town. Before applying please read the entire profile to ensure you are a good fit for this opportunity. My name is Rita, I’m a Londoner of Spanish descent. Most of my working life was spent teaching in community settings in Bristol, Uk. The intention behind this project is to: create a more sustainable way of living which like minded individuals can enjoy and participate in. We aim to: grow a food forest based on permaculture principles, harness wind and solar energy and manage water systems. This one acre finca is a short walk to the beach and 5 minute walk to the nearest village with cafes and shops. The main town San Lucar de Barrameda is a 5 minute drive away. The location is based in a very rural setting but very close to all amenities. Next door is a horse riding school and across the road a tennis/ paddle club. The most common sounds you will hear are cockerels crowing, birds tweeting, the occasional dog bark, horses neighing and in the evening the soft sound of tennis balls being whacked. There is no ‘typical’ day as it depends a lot on the season/ weather/ number of guests staying at the time. Volunteers stay in the guest house which can sleep up to six people. Some of the tasks on the farm include: Digging, planting, weeding, composting, harvesting fruit & veg, podding trees and irrigating plants. We aim to have some chickens once the coop has been constructed. Whenever possible, we use recycled materials to make outdoor furniture, sculptures and clothing. To keep the buildings cool in the summer, timber pergolas need construction which provide shade. Possible installation of solar panels Demolition of partition walls Planting and harvesting trees, fruit and veg plants Lime washing exterior and interior walls Developing the landscaping scheme Installing a water collection system Ongoing building maintenance & DIY Stable block conversion Building raised garden beds Weeding, digging trenches, planting flora Minimum stay 1 week, but longer stay preferred if the fit is right. The main house has 3 bedrooms, the stable block is being renovated to accommodate arts and well-being workshops. Up to 6 guests could be accommodated on site, although at present we only have one of the 3 bathrooms working. There is a large 12 meter swimming pool on site, but the pumps and related stuff equipment need some attention. The plan is to convert the rectangular structure into a ‘swimming pond’, using aquatic plants. The place is rustic, so suitable only for those not dependent on pristine conditions. If you are aiming to improve your spoken Spanish, then this is a good place to do it. Unlike the Costa del Sol, there are few foreign visitors to this area. People are very friendly and the local cuisine is good, specially for lovers of sea food. Volunteers are provided with breakfast and lunch is a shared meal on the terrace, which is mostly vegetarian. A barbecue area is planned to cater for those who want to cook themselves meat or fish in the evenings. The most suitable guests will be those who meet the following criteria: Have a ‘can do’ positive attitude Are laid back and good humoured Able to be responsible, reliable & honest Have relevant skills such as plumbing, electrics, building, carpentry or horticultural experience. Have good problem solving skills / common sense Be fit, strong and healthy to undertake manual tasks Are free of substance abuse or dependency Do not require accommodation for children or pets Have a good work ethic / not lethargic Able to arrange their own travel arrangements to get here On arrival in San Lucar, I can pick up from the bus station and drop off at the farm. When applying, please quote the ref 54, which will indicate to me that you have actually read the entire profile and meet the criteria. Please do not ask about immigration or visa issues as I am not qualified to give any advice. Volunteers will be expected to work alongside me, either painting, decorating, gardening or building. In the summer months it is best to start early and finish at mid-day, before it gets too hot. In the winter, we start a couple of hours later. A 4.5 hour day is expected. Most mornings we start the day doing yoga or Pilates together, but this is optional. Guests can either have their own room if one is available when here, or share the large guest house with other volunteers. If you have special dietry needs, you will need to cater for those by bringing the necessary ingredients yourself. Please bring appropriate workwear, which can be washed on Sundays. Some of the local attractions include: The Doñana Natural Reserve. Jerez town. A horse riding school next door but one. The paddle/tennis club nearby. The beach is a 15 minute walk away. There are loads of nearby places to visit. The local cafe and shops are 5 mins walk away.