A little introduction (by Rosalie)

A little introduction:

over the last few weeks, I have been explaining what exactly it is I am doing to a lot of people. Simply saying, " oh, I am doing a help exchange." for some reason does not seem to cut it. 

Helpx is a website, specially for people who either want to travel and work, or need a helping hand somewhere. this can be anything, there are people offering a stay on a farm, in a hostel, a bed and breakfast, or even just help around the house. You don't get paid, but there is no need to spend any money either, apart from your travel. you get food and housing in return for the help you offer. 

It is a wonderful experience to learn new skills and meet new people, all over the world. It is comparable to WWOOF, which is more widely known, World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. Most of the people I meet are doing that. The basic principle is the same, only they just offer organic farms, I bet you would not have guessed that from the name. There is another small difference, for both of the websites you pay a small fee in order to to be able to make a profile and get in touch with people. For helpx you pay 20 euros, and you get a membership for 2 years, and you can contact people all over the world. WWOOF ask a little less money, but you only have a membership of one year, and only for one country. 

A while back I began looking at places in England and Ireland, I was open for anything, and I found a little farm just north of Wales, called Babbinswood farm. with a picture of a picturesque English country house in the snow, and the promise of a bunch of other people staying I knew I had found my place to start my journey. Babbinswood farm is an organic vegetable farm which has been getting helpers in for two years now, it is rapidly growing and it is, if I say so myself, one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. 

That about sums it up, I am spending my days working outside, learning about vegetables and such. there will probably be more about my farm life to come, but for now I will keep it at this. I should stay here until December, and afterwards a whole new adventure awaits in Sweden. but more on that subject later. My plans tend to change from day to day, so what i tell you today could just as well not be true any more tomorrow, but that just makes it all the more exciting.

the websites:

Helpx.net

wwoof.net