Learn new skills at a historic watermill and enjoy nature in Schnega, Germany

Infos

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  Description

  Hello lovely people,
  
  we are a bunch of people of different ages, partly living and mostly working together on 3 hectares of beautiful northern German countryside. Our property, which used to be a working water mill, is now a guest house for groups of up to 120 people from all over the world (mostly Germans though). We have a large garden and several animals that are really important to us, including three horses, cats, chickens, a dog and a wild boar.
  
  The Mill is a convention centre open for all kinds of groups and we also organise a number of workshops ourselves, mostly centred around Irish folk dancing and folk music. If you're interested in one of our workshops you usually can join in and experience a variety of dance and music styles. We have three pianos, an e-piano, a harp and a few working guitars that are always glad to receive some love - feel free to bring your own instrument as well!
  
  We're happy to show you around the area and take you on outings with the team occasionally or play games on some nights but please be prepared to entertain yourself as well as we are often occupied by our guests. Our guests are usually very open to meet our helpers, so feel free to get chat with them :)
  
  Sara or Claudia will answer your emails.
  
  
  A bit about the history of the Mill:
  
  The Mill was taken over in December 1993 by three young people, Robert, Kerstin and Heike. Along with the help of their friends and families, the three of them did an amazing job of renovating, creating, building and experimenting to turn this old house into the beautiful place it is today.
  Many guests - some of them friends from their time at uni - keep returning as guests to enjoy a break from day-to-day life.
  
  After Robert left to manage another house by himself following Kerstin's death in 2011, Heike then ran the Mill alone, supported by the best kitchen and cleaning team you can possibly imagine, as well as a rotating cast of Workawayers and friends.
  
  Getting to know the Mill as a helper herself over a few years, Sara joined the team in January 2021 permanently.
  
  After Heikes fatal accident in summer 2021, Heike's sister Claudia left her old life behind and took the business over.
  
  In summer 2023 Konstanze joined the Mill-team and moved in with her two daughters, followed by Torsten, who movend in in February 2024.
  
  Right now we are looking for a team which is interested in taking over the place, continuing hosting groups and creating a second home for our guests. So if youre looking for something own to build up, give us a message!

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Pratique d’une langue

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  S’occuper des animaux

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Animaux de compagnie

  

  LGBT+

  

  Événements/vie sociale

  

  Ferme

  

  Danse

  

  Musique

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Animaux

  

  Nature
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  Objectifs de développement durable de l’ONU que cet hôte essaie d'atteindre

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  Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  We speak fluent German and enjoy helping you improve and practise your German!
  
  You can learn new skills like sewing, repairing things, gardening, as well as making jam (although that´s depending on the season.)
  
  You are welcome to take part in our weekly Scottish dancing classes or to join in Irish music and folk dance workshops organised by the house.
  
  We do have horses too, so if you´re interested in going for a ride or just spending time and when you are on a certain point of horse riding skills, Claudia is more than happy to have some company on her rides.

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  Aide

  We do not ask for help with the business as we do have competent regular staff looking after our paying guests. Please note that, due to the nature of our business, your helping hours will be flexible and will change according to the situation but we do try to plan ahead and schedule your free days too.
  
  We are looking for support to keep the garden as thriving as it is at the moment. Tasks can be pulling weeds, watering the plants, cutting back bushes and trees and just maintaining the plants as well as picking fruits and turning them into jam.
  
  Another task would be continuing to build a wild hedge out of twigs and branches or cutting ivy and wine back.
  
  Most of the time you'll work independently but at least one of us will always be around if you have any questions or need help.
  
  We're happy to hear your ideas, tips and thoughts for improvement and are always open to new perspectives.

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Allemand: Courant
  Anglais: Courant
  Français: Courant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  We are a multi-lingual team with one person who can translate between German and French and all of us with basic English knowledge. Please bring some patience along - not everyone living here is fluent both in English and German and it can take its time to communicate. We welcome helpers fluent in English, German, or both.
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  Hébergement

  A shared or single room with a shared bathroom or living in our hut or wagon without running water but with electricity.

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  Autres infos...

  We're located in a rural area - our next-door neighbours are two kilometres away! - about 2 hours drive from Hamburg, Bremen, Hannover and Magdeburg. You can also reach Berlin by train in 2.5 hours. The closest town with a small supermarket and a garage is a 15-minute bike ride away, the next slightly larger town about 30 minutes away.
  
  Due to the current situation, you will spend time on your own as there isn´t always someone around to keep you entertained. But our guests are usually very interested in getting to know our helpers.
  
  We're happy to provide lifts to different cities when one of us is heading out anyway and can occassionally give you a lift to the closest train station (5 kms away) if you want to explore the region. We also have bikes that you can borrow and the beautiful nature trails in the surrounding area invites short walks and longer hikes. Our friendly rescue dog Benni may accompany you if you want a furry companion on your walks.
  
  When we have groups there´s always plenty of delicious food around. For the more quiet times we provide all the basic food, occassionally we´ll meet for cooking together but that won´t happen every day.
  
  Please note that we don´t accept helpers who are consuming any kind of drugs or drink alcohol on a daily basis.

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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 lots of space and electricity and facilities are available.

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  Possibilité d'accueillir les animaux

  As we have a dog and several cats, as well as the occasional visiting dog from a guest, please let us know if you´re thinking about bringing your pet along.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Deux

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  Mes animaux

  

  Nessie

  Our (not so) wild boar Nessie, who is named after the famous Loch Ness monster as she was saved by some neighbours when she fell into a pond as a piglet, grew up being bottlefed and well cared for by Heike. Nessie sometimes pretends to be a dog, laying on her back and asking for belly rubs. Although she gets easily scared, Nessie is very curious and friendly.

  Chickens

  We have a variety of chickens who are very funny to watch - who needs a screen if you have chickens??

  

  Daria, Laddy and Gwennie

  All three horses are rather curious and open to new people. They are all easygoing and friendly and you will soon realise that every horse has a different personality. They are all ridden by Claudia - if you are an experienced rider Claudia is always happy to have company on her rides through the lovely nature surrounding the Mill.

  

  Miso, Jany, Tabby and Major Tom

  All our cats are very friendly and will come closer if they feel like company or are looking for a pet or a lap to sneak on. Miso is a bit shy but you will surely bond with him over feeding time.

  Benny

  Our kind and curious dog Benny is always happy to receive some pets, go for walks or being played with. If you want to take him along that will always be doable, although this is not considered working time as Benny is Claudia and Thilos private pet.

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