Darren

Travel information

I am currently

Activities i am interested in:

Vendange, language, building renovation

Description

I love to travel, experiencing different cultures, languages, experiences and adventures, have been lucky to have worked widely and lived abroad - France, Bulgaria and Afghanistan, and been lucky to have travelled further afield for pleasure, but the world is a big place and I'd like to explore more.

I'm new to Workaway, but recently retired after 35+ years in Information Technology and would like to get involved with your projects, perhaps refresh my French language, build on my Spanish language and try new ones along the way - I also recently qualified as a TESOL English Teacher so could help your own language improvement.

I love technology and used to teach computing so would be happy to share my knowledge.

I've added some photos to my profile of some of the building work I've completed.

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
French: Beginner

More details about my language interests
I lived in France for nearly two years and worked in a Parisian office, my French got to a good conversational level, but sadly through lack of use is now very rusty. I learned some Spanish prior to an adventure around Peru and in advance of plans to retire to Spain, but didn't progress beyond the basic, I'm keen to develop that to a better level. I successfully completed a TESOL course prior to retiring in 2021, and I used to teach IT during my career, so would love to help others to develop their own English language skills.

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Hospitality/Tourism

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Some knowledge of:  

DIY and building projects

General Maintenance

Life at a Farmstay

Charity Work

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Able to teach about:  

Languages

Helping with Computers/ Internet

Teaching

More details about your skills

My 35+ years career started in electronics, but soon progressed to Information Technology, so good with computers and gadgets.
I've also built/extended/renovated two of my own properties, so am comfortable with plumbing, electrical, general building duties.
I've got some basic French, having lived near Paris for 2yrs, which would benefit from more practice, I have a few Spanish words but would like to extend that, however before retiring I graduated as a TESOL English teacher and although I haven't yet used it, would be happy to reciprocate with English language improvement.
In my younger years, I was a youth worker and led local youth clubs in outdoor bounds activities.
I wrote a book about my time in Afghanistan and have loads of stories to tell.

Age

62

What else ...

I love aviation, I was lucky enough to qualify as a private pilot many years ago and have built a flight simulator in my home, am also a huge motorsport fan, so always try to watch the Formula 1 races no matter where I am.

I sail yachts as a day skipper, I love walking, cycling, I'm writing two further books, have been lucky to travel to some bucket list places; Australia/NZ, Japan, Iceland, all over Europe, have completed the Inca trail in Peru and recently completed one of the Caminos de Santiago in Galicia, I'm divorced, have two grown-up children and three grandsons, retired and loving life, I think I'm at the stage where I can enjoy my next chapter.

March 2024 update - I joined Workaway.info in Summer 2023 with big hopes to start my Workaway journey, but then had a cycling accident which resulted in a disrupted shoulder joint, I've finally had the surgery in January this year and am just completing physiotherapy. So in May/June 2024, I'm hoping to travel through to Switzerland and Austria via Belgium and Luxembourg then returning back via Germany so looking for Workaway hosts who might be able to use my skills?

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies

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  Special dietary requirements