The Valley
Frequently Asked Questions
I own a Valley high up in the mountains in Murcia, Spain. Besides living here, I do hosting for WorkAway volunteers. I run The Seasonal Experience Academy, an immersive academy in sustainable living. I do therapy, healing, and life coaching. Guests, volunteers, students, and clients sometimes have questions that are not answered on my web pages. So I have gathered them all here.
Q: Official language?
The official language in the Valley is English. Well developed skills in the English language will be necessary as we are discussing quite a few technical projects here.
Q: How far is the nearest town? Pharmacies, supermarkets...
The valley is about a 20-minute drive from the nearest town, with all commodities, like a police station, medical center, market, grocery stores, banks, ATMs, restaurants, pubs, and shopping. It takes about 45 minutes with a bicycle to get to the town, and about 90-120 minutes back up again!
Q: What do we need to bring as essentials? Notebooks, pens...
Consider bringing:
Clothes and shoes for the seasons you will be here! Annually temperatures range between -3c to +40c (26f to 104f). Prepare for strong wind, sun, and rain now and then.
I recommend considering bringing slippers, sandals, hiking shoes, normal shoes, and work shoes.If you stay for a long time (more than 3 weeks) you will probably join in on some of the excursions we do. So bring some extra money for entrances, food, beverage, carpooling, etc.
Toiletries, washing detergent (biodegradable is not necessary but welcomed) towels, beach towels (toilet paper is provided).
Medication and/or prescriptions (if you need it), glasses.
Sunglasses, sunscreen, swimwear, and a sunhat/cap (April-October).
If you come for physical work, bring work clothes and shoes (gloves, ear mufflers, and protective goggles are provided). Expect stains and heavy wear on your work clothes.
We have a very strong WiFi connection (Starlink) with unlimited data, so you can bring a laptop, phone, iPad, speakers, etc. Remember to bring your charging devices for your electronics! (WiFi is provided for free for you)
Entertainment. Although some books, 1 TB of movies and audio books, cards, board games, frisbees, footballs, bows and arrows, and a guitar is available for everyone. Consider bringing a headset or earplugs so you can watch a movie or listen to music or audiobooks in the evenings without disturbing the others.
Food and beverages (see below).
Q: Do we have to bring our own food and water?
Drinking water is provided. Available food in the greenhouse is free for everyone.
SEA Students and guests are responsible for buying their own food (greenhouse food is still free though).
WorkAway volunteers and clients are fully provided for, with 3 meals a day. A varied menu with lots of options. No extra costs.
Coffee, tea, soda, etc. is not provided. Neither are snacks, sweets, or cookies. So bring it and/or buy it on our weekly shopping trips.
Q: Can we pay with a card?
The valley provides no payment services for cards or paying by phone. However, you can pay via PayPal or with Cash. ATMs are located in all nearby towns and cities. There is nothing in the Valley that is for sale, so you won’t use any money there. Accommodations and academies are paid online according to a confirmed booking. You will need money for visiting places outside the Valley and carpooling.
Q: How can we wash our clothes?
We have a normal (6 liter - 1.5 gallon) washing machine at the valley. We also built a large (50 liter -13 gallon) hand-cranked washing machine (dryer) that you can use. The nearest town also has a laundromat (self-service laundry).
Q: Is grey water recycled? Do we need to use biodegradable products?
Grey water is filtered and recycled for outdoor use at fields and plants. The filtration system can handle normal soap, shampoo, detergent, toothpaste and cleaning products. Biodegradable products is not required, but welcomed.
Q: How much storage space do we have?
With the accommodation comes a 61-liter storage box (Plastic Forte #7) (71x43x32 cm 28x17x12.5 inches).
It contains the bedding set for you and can be used for storage of your personal belongings. There is also storage space under your bed for your backpack/bag.
For long-term visits (more than 3 weeks) there are two more 61 liter storage boxes available per person.
I have a small safe, where I can lock in your valuables.
Q: How about insurance?
If you are a WorkAway volunteer, you are most probable already insured. Check up with Workaway what is included.
Everyone is responsible for their own insurance. Insurance is not covered by me. I take no responsibility for your personal belongings.
Q: There are many people using the bathroom, can we leave toiletries there?
There are space for leaving your toothbrush/toothpaste, soap and shampoo at the bathroom. The rest is recommended to be stored in your storage box at your accommodation.
Q: Would it be possible to pitch a tent?
There is plenty of space to put up tents. Either close to the common areas or more private on the other side of the valley. The same thing goes for camper vans and RVs. Bringing a tent is an excellent way to create one more private space for yourself. There are also two hanging beds in the Valley for anyone to use. Ask for the mosquito netting, and bring the mattresses/bedding from your accommodation and create an incredible nature experience under the stars, in the summer months (April-November).
Under the large Philosopher Tree, we have 7 hammocks/hammock chairs for anyone to use to relax in the shade during a hot summer day.
Q: Emergency, first aid
I have prepared plans for any realistic emergency at the mountain and the Valley. In the Retro-fit Earthship I have 2 first aid kits; a Boo Boo kit and a Trauma kit. I feel confident that with my training from the Special Forces and later as a volunteer for Protection Civil, I will be able to handle any need for first aid at the Valley. Then we have evacuation plans to the nearest medical center or hospital if necessary. The mountain have park rangers (Guardia Civil) that we can contact in serious situations.
Q: How do we handle garbage?
All organic garbage is recycled through various composting techniques. Paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, glass and metal is recycled and re-used at the valley. We produce extremely little garbage that has to be transported out of the valley and down to one of the towns.
Q: Is your land fenced or do wild boars roam freely there?
The Valley is not fenced. Wild boars may pass through, but extremely rarely. Domesticated animals must be secured as we have several predators on the mountain, like eagles, falcons and fox.