Help with gardening and some handyman jobs in Schilde, Belgium

Details

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  Description

  We, Nikki and Pol, today are respectively 70 and 76. We are both retired. Nikki worked as a make-up artist for television, Pol as an editor for an Antwerp daily newspaper.
  
  We live in Schilde, a green municipality northeast of Antwerp, for about 30 years. Surrounding our house, which is spacious enough since our three daughters left it, is a rather labour-intensive garden of about 1,350 m². That is the domain of Nikki, who (among many other things) as a 'garden ranger' also gives other people advice for making their gardens bird- and insect-friendly. Pol spends a lot of time behind his laptop, but also volunteers at the local Oxfam World Shop.
  
  And together we really enjoy travelling. Within Europe, we do so with our own camper. A regular destination outside Europe is Australia, as our youngest daughter lives in Perth.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  In return for the help in the garden, Nikki will gladly share her extensive plant knowledge.
  Drawing is another of Nikki's passions. She takes classes at an academy and will be happy to initiate interested Workawayers into various drawing techniques.
  Port city of Antwerp, with its wide and exciting range of restaurants and cafés, museums and shops, and events of all kinds, is very easily accessible by public transport. Naturally, we will show our guests around the city.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  Nikki would love to get some help in the garden. Workawayers with some experience in pruning and planting are therefore very welcome.
  
  The house needs some maintenance and repair work: painting, wallpapering, a touch-up here and there. The handy Harry or Henrietta who wants to undertake this, can count on Pol's help (to the best of his ability).
  
  Furthermore, a lot of things need to get out of the house: stuff in the attic, piles of books... Maybe we can participate in a flea market together?

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Dutch: Fluent
  French: Intermediate
  Spanish: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  We offer the helper(s) their own spacious bedroom overlooking the garden, above which the sun rises in the morning. We share the rest of the house (including the bathroom), as well as the electric bikes.
  The use of the car and even a weekend away with our camper is negotiable. And our cuisine is very varied and fairly international, although we are happy to prepare typical Belgian dishes.
  The village centers of Schilde and Wijnegem are within walking and cycling distance.

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  What else ...

  Period and duration of stay are negotiable. But it would be great if we could welcome helpers from mid June on, when there is still a lot of work in the garden.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week