SHEEP SHEPHERD HOLIDAYS

We offer you a chance to spend a week as a sheep shepherd in a traditional Finnish country house surrounded by very beautiful nature. Heinäniemi is located in the northern Hankasalmi by a deep and clear water lake Kynsivesi. Friendly sheep are waiting for cuddles and carers. Through the sheep meadow you can go to your own beach for a swim or use the rowing boat. There surrounding forests are very nice for hiking and berry/mushsroom picking. A few kilometres away there is a nature trail to a rapid and a barbecue hut. The closest shop is in Konnevesi 15km away.

Heinäniemi

Heinäniemi is a homely well-equipped log house with an atmosphere of a Grandmama’s home. From the spacious living room-kitchen there is a great view down to the lake – and the sheep meadow! From the main house you will find beds for five and at the yard there is a granary with little bedroom for one person.

Sheep and shepherds

The sheep are grazing on the natural meadow and little forest section descending to the lake. The shepherd’s task is to count the sheep daily and check that they have everything alright. You may spend as much time as you wish with the sheep on the pasture. They are very tame and social, and apreciate cuddles. They also feel safe when they feel they are looked after. Toward to the end of the summer as the evenings get darker the shepherds call the sheep into the shed for the night and lets them out again in the morning.

The sheep live at Rantakorpi Farm in winter time and are at Heinäniemi in the summer caring for the surroundings. They keep the meadows open and by preventing the excess growth of forest and grass. As result there are a big variety of meadow flowers which attract insects. So there is food for birds and we all get to enjoy the variety of nature.

The sheep are Finnish Sheep and Eastern Finland Grey. They are very good to move around, active and so beautiful with all different colours. The sheep produce, in addition of enviroment care and sheep therapy, fine wool for handicraft, skins and organic meadow meat. The summer sheep of Heinäniemi are our ewes, the mother sheep, that get lambs in March. Their weaned lambs spend their summer at Rantakorpi Farm.

A few years ago there were wolves attacking sheep at Heinäniemi. Therefore the fencing has been renewed to be more safe, and also we will take the sheep inside for the nights late summer when the risks grow higher. As there is life all summer in Heinäniemi due to the shepherds, this also prevents the beasts from coming to the area.

Kitchen

At the side of the living room there is a well-equipped kitchen with and electric and wood stove as well as a fire place owen. The fridge and the freezer are in the room behind the kitchen.

Bedroom

The bedrooom is situated between the chamber and the bathroom. There is a cosy 120cm wide bed. The morning sun will wake you up gently from the window.

Upper Chamber

A very peaceful room upstairs has a 160 cm wide bed and a good 80 cm wide airmatress.

Attic

From the attic you will find a shelf full of very old books, wonderful old times athmosphere under the traditional roof made with wood chips, and a Finnish version of pool, a Korona game. Here you can come to spend some peaceful time, just to be.

Bathroom & Sauna

The bathroom-toilet has a shower and a door to the little electric sauna, from where it is easy acces through the hall to the outside porch to have a cooldown while bathing.

Garden

On the terrace of the backyard you can sunbathe (and admire the sheep). Late summer you might find apples, plums and blacberries from the garden. At the yard there is also a loft with a bed where you might enjoy a day nap.

Shepherd holiday weeks & Prizing & Info

The length of the Shepherd holiday is from Sunday to Saturday. Booking in Sunday is at 15:00, or on agreement. On the introduction will show you the surroundings and familiarise with the sheep. Booking out is at 12:00 on Saturday.

The prize of the week is 550€ (vat incl). Reservation fee is 100€ which will not be returned in case of cancellation. The remaining paymet due date is 21days before start of the holiday.

The customers should bring their own sheets and towels, and do the cleaning before leaving according to the instructions. Cleaning can be ordered beforehand at a 70€ fee. Also we will provide you with linen if needed for 15€/person.

Bookings and more info: Tel. +358505775881 / email: johanna . koivuluoma @ gmail . com

Shepherd Holiday Calendar

2.-8.6.

9.-15.6.

16.-22.6.

23.-29.6.

30.6,-6.7.

7.-13.7.

14.-20.7.

21.-27.7.

28.7.-3.8.

4.-10.8.

11.-17.8.

18.-24.8.

25.-31.8

Daytrip destinations in the vicinity

In case you can leave Heinäniemi enviroment and the sheep, Hankasalmi offers fun nature trails, lookouts and birdwatching towers: https://www.hankasalmi.fi/retkeily/vapaa-aika/retkeily

We recommend a visit for example to a tower with a great view close by at Hääninmäki!

Museum Village and museum of historical objects (20km)

A charming, recently renovated museum village.

National park of South Konnevesi

Hotel Revontuli

Here you get to golf, bowl, dance, dine and bathe.

The local entrepreneurs arrange a variety of activities, for example Luontovire will take you to exiting forest trails and Eräs-Pete fishing and to rapids.

Rantakorpi farm

On the Rantakorpi farm, Finnish sheep and Eastern Finnish cattle are raised on a small scale. The farm offers horseback riding trips, experiences with farm animals and sheep products.