Los Guindales prefer volunteers that are staying more than a month and are fluent in Spanish. Currently, that’s not me so I decided to go for the full-board visitor option instead.

This got me a very nice room which I share with other guests and the volunteers currently working at the project. (A separate room is also available at a premium).

Los Guindales and Algatocín are situated in the Andalusian hills near Ronda, a fairly steep mountain range. You won’t find any barley fields, people are sticking to terraced gardens and sheep instead.

While the premium guests (me) are having their post-lunch sherry in the hammock, the voluntarios are working away on various projects. (I think it will be a dog shed…)

The cocina is bright, spacious and – once you get the ancient stove going – warm and cosy. If the internet wasn’t strictly limited (it is via satellite due to the remote location), this would be a great pace for digital nomads, with an amazing vista over the barranco.

My week at the Guindales included a blizzard, a sweat-lodge ceremony and a good-bye party, with my host Africa, the volunteers and a fellow guest. And some local eco vino. Time to pack the suitcase and get on the bus to Molino de Guadalmesí.