Nature, Forest, and the Sea—All in One Place

Description

Hi, I’m Birgit, a middle-aged German woman living on a farm in southwestern Estonia, 4 km from one of the country’s most beautiful natural beaches. Here, you can sunbathe and swim in the sea or one of the nearby lakes without the hustle and bustle of tourists. The farm is located in the woods; you can hear the highway 700 meters away, but it doesn’t keep you awake at night. The nearest city is Pärnu, 50 km away. I live a simple life; there’s no central heating, no TV, no dishwasher, and no electric stove—but there is Wi-Fi. I only buy unprocessed staple foods that I can’t produce myself. I make everything myself—for example, bread, cheese, and ice cream. The price of electricity is market-based and changes every quarter hour; I structure my life around this and expect the same from my guests. Additionally, there is no sewer system, which is why I only accept organic cosmetics. If you can’t handle this, you’re in the wrong place. Likewise, I only accept non-smokers. Compatibility is, of course, an essential requirement, so I’d like to talk to you on the phone beforehand. I share my living space, good natural food, and my knowledge of self-sufficiency with my guests in exchange for their help. People who are physically strong and skilled tradespeople are especially welcome, but not required. In addition to tradespeople, I’d also love to have people who are artistic and creative (for wall decor) or someone who can teach me how to sew. What I don’t need is someone to run my household—I can handle that myself. Helping with the dishes, on the other hand, goes without saying. I can only accommodate more than one guest if they bring their own sleeping quarters. For RVs, vans, and similar vehicles, there’s a parking spot with electrical hookups. I don’t consider the farm suitable for children; dogs are welcome as long as they’re female, get along with other dogs, and don’t have a hunting instinct. Vegans, strict vegetarians, and climate activists are out of place here. Stays during the winter months are available upon request for people who want to experience a real winter. The stated five hours of work are a guideline based on the daily routine and the work that needs to be done. I’ve already gained some experience through Workaway and value a good balance between giving and receiving. And don’t worry: you won’t have to pull weeds, as seems to be common with other hosts. The work depends on the season and consists of typical farm tasks. Planting, building fences, chopping firewood, etc. You’re welcome to ask what needs to be done at the moment. If you’re interested, please send me a detailed message. “I love nature and animals” isn’t enough for me—after all, you’ll be staying with me. So first, I’d like to learn a bit about you and hear your ideas on how you can contribute here. The nearest airport is Riga; from there, you can take a bus to the Estonian border for a small fee. I’ll provide a free shuttle service from the bus stop to my farm ;-). If you live in northern Germany, you can also take the ferry from Travemünde to Liepaja. From there, you can easily continue your journey by public transit. And since I get asked this often: There’s no train service here yet, even though Aunt Google sometimes claims there already is. Rail Baltica is still under construction, though, and there’s no end in sight. So far, the tracks aren’t even marked on Maps yet. The long-distance bus system, however, is very good and affordable.

What's included

At my place, you can learn everything about self-sufficiency—from making cheese, growing vegetables and fruit, and spinning wool to butchering. My greatest passion is growing and propagating heirloom tomato varieties. I grow 80–100 plants each year. Spring highlight: puppy season. During this time (until around June), however, I’m not very flexible when it comes to activities outside the farm. Nearby attractions worth visiting include the city of Pärnu, raised bogs, and the island of Kihnu, home to the world’s last matriarchal society. You can go on these outings with me or on your own—whichever you prefer. Spring highlight for dog lovers: puppies.

Amenities & features

• ✓ Wi-Fi / internet
• ✓ Kitchen
• ✓ Washing machine
• ✓ Garden / terrace
• ✓ Parking
• ✓ Electricity
• ✓ Water
• ✓ Laptop workspace
• ✓ Pets allowed
• ✓ Tiere vor Ort
• ✓ Non-smoking

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