This is my favourite ‘holiday’: staying in an old restored house in a beautiful remote area, combining work and free time. On my return home, I realised I felt deeply relaxed. I enjoyed the varied tasks from gardening to kitchen work. It inspired my own cooking and I can’t wait to start growing more vegetables! I enjoyed the communal life with Anna, Matt, the neighbours and guests. I carry with me beautiful memories of peeling and cutting quinces with the neighbours, picking juniper berries, preparing delicious dinners (including fireplace cooking), watching the neighbour making gnocchi, visiting Trieste, and walking to Grožnjan to see the sunset.