Badges (4)
Photos
Profile information
Travel information
I am currently
Travelling
Activities i am interested in:
Mountain biking, hiking, sea kayaking/Canadian canoeing, caving, folk music/craic, Celtic culture.
My next destination:
Scotland, United Kingdom - from Apr 2024 until Feb 2025 View all
Description
Hi, I'm Mike. I am 56 & from Honiton, in Devon, South West England. Having reached a crossroads in my life, luckily I have the time & resources with no other commitments to decide 'where next' so to speak. I am now able to resume my passion for travelling, embracing other cultures & meeting people to experience their way of life, that I did in my younger days.
I ended my 15 years as a self employed gardener last year, have a National Diploma in Horticulture, & have worked in various roles in financial services, six years service in the British Army & in the retail industry.
The organic & sustainable way of life have always interested me & I am keen to learn more about these, be open to alternative ways of growing & working the land, such as permaculture & make a useful contribution to hosts offering these opportunities. I enjoy cycling, walking, kayaking, live music, theatre & the arts.
Interests
SustainabilityPlant carePetsOutdoor activitiesMusicMountainHistoryGardeningCyclingCooking & foodBeachAnimalsVan lifeNatureHikingFarmingCultureAdventure sports
Languages spoken
French: Beginner
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Eco Projects
Animal Care
Life at a Farmstay
Able to teach about:
Gardening
More details about your skills
Good knowledge of flowers, shrubs & trees, care of, planting & seasonal pruning, through my experience & work as a gardener. Soil management & improvement. Experience with machinery, primarily strimmers, hedgecutters & chainsaws. Experience with installing fencing. Used to working outside in all weather! Adaptable & open minded.
Age
56
What else ...
Have my own vehicle, Vauxhall Vivaro - campervan, for travel.
Some more information
Smoker
Driver's licence
Allergies
NoSpecial dietary requirements
No
Feedback
27 Feb 2024
Left by host (Help us in the garden, DIY ...) for Workawayer (Mike)
If there was such a thing as a 'six-star review' we'd be leaving one for Mike. It was a real privilege to benefit from Mike's extensive gardening experience and horticultural knowledge. Mike went above and beyond in terms of the work that he did in our garden. Everyday I walk around the garden I see the positive results of Mike's work. We wish he… read more
(Excellent
)
18 Feb 2024
Left by Workawayer (Mike) for host
(Help us in the garden, DIY ...)
I had a wonderful time with Sabina & Dave & I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have been able to work in their stunning & well planted garden. I was primarily gardening whilst there as that is my trade & really enjoyed rejuvenating & creating new hedging, pruning & training the rose bed & helping to bring the garden back to its former glory… read more
(Excellent
)
11 Nov 2023
Left by host (Cleaning up garden, sheds and ...) for Workawayer (Mike)
Having Mike here was a great experience on many levels. He is a great person to have in the house, great conversations and very easy to get along with. He also gave our garden the TLC which it is craving. He is a professional gardener and he took initiative and with his experience, this was just what we needed. I can't wait to see what the area at… read more
(Excellent
)
20 Oct 2023
Left by Workawayer (Mike) for host
(Cleaning up garden, sheds and ...)
Eamon, Anna & Johanna looked after me very well during my 2 week stay with them. I was lucky enough to have my own room in their historic house, which is close to the town of Birr in the Midlands. They are both well traveled & have extensive knowledge of horses & breeding as well as Irish & Swedish culture. I worked in the garden, pruning back… read more
(Excellent
)
11 Sep 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Mike)
Mike helped us for two weeks and we wish he could’ve stayed longer! He is a trained, professional Gardener, and it was bliss to let him loose outside, and to see all the lovely improvements he made. I learnt a lot from him. Mike pruned and moved plants including roses and shrubs; he tackled hedging and weeds; murdered moss and sorted Mums tubs and… read more
(Excellent
)
Friends
Feedback
27 Feb 2024
Left by host (Help us in the garden, DIY ...) for Workawayer (Mike)
If there was such a thing as a 'six-star review' we'd be leaving one for Mike. It was a real privilege to benefit from Mike's extensive gardening experience and horticultural knowledge. Mike went above and beyond in terms of the work that he did in our garden. Everyday I walk around the garden I see the positive results of Mike's work. We wish he… read more
(Excellent
)
18 Feb 2024
Left by Workawayer (Mike) for host
(Help us in the garden, DIY ...)
I had a wonderful time with Sabina & Dave & I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have been able to work in their stunning & well planted garden. I was primarily gardening whilst there as that is my trade & really enjoyed rejuvenating & creating new hedging, pruning & training the rose bed & helping to bring the garden back to its former glory… read more
(Excellent
)
11 Nov 2023
Left by host (Cleaning up garden, sheds and ...) for Workawayer (Mike)
Having Mike here was a great experience on many levels. He is a great person to have in the house, great conversations and very easy to get along with. He also gave our garden the TLC which it is craving. He is a professional gardener and he took initiative and with his experience, this was just what we needed. I can't wait to see what the area at… read more
(Excellent
)
20 Oct 2023
Left by Workawayer (Mike) for host
(Cleaning up garden, sheds and ...)
Eamon, Anna & Johanna looked after me very well during my 2 week stay with them. I was lucky enough to have my own room in their historic house, which is close to the town of Birr in the Midlands. They are both well traveled & have extensive knowledge of horses & breeding as well as Irish & Swedish culture. I worked in the garden, pruning back… read more
(Excellent
)
11 Sep 2023
Left by host for Workawayer (Mike)
Mike helped us for two weeks and we wish he could’ve stayed longer! He is a trained, professional Gardener, and it was bliss to let him loose outside, and to see all the lovely improvements he made. I learnt a lot from him. Mike pruned and moved plants including roses and shrubs; he tackled hedging and weeds; murdered moss and sorted Mums tubs and… read more
(Excellent
)
22 Jul 2023
Left by Workawayer (Mike) for host
(General maintenance and ...)
Charlie was a superb host, friendly, socialable, interesting, well travelled & funny with a great sense of humour & I thoughly enjoyed my time working with her, on her projects & the smallholding. We completed a number of jobs, included a new wooden fence, exposing previously planted trees & proofing these against deer, some new posts & some chain… read more
(Excellent
)
13 Jul 2023
Left by host (General maintenance and ...) for Workawayer (Mike)
Mike is missed! He is knowledgeable about gardening so a great help with advice, passionate about trees, did everything to a high standard and worked hard. Goes above and beyond and I was fortunate to have him as a workawayer.
He is kind, funny, and simply a great person, also an ace backgammon player! ;)
The garden as been given a lift and I've… read more
He is kind, funny, and simply a great person, also an ace backgammon player! ;)
The garden as been given a lift and I've… read more
(Excellent
)
26 Jun 2023
Left by host (Garden help in a beautiful ...) for Workawayer (Mike)
It was a pleasure hosting Mike and we really enjoyed having him as part of the household. Mike was extremely helpful in the garden and always on time every morning. His work was precise and he worked hard. Mike carried out all duties to a high standard and was always amenable.
Mike fitted in very well and we really enjoyed his company - the two… read more
Mike fitted in very well and we really enjoyed his company - the two… read more
(Excellent
)
23 Jun 2023
Left by Workawayer (Mike) for host
(Garden help in a beautiful ...)
I had a wonderful time staying with Mary Jane & Philip on the Blackwater river. They are experienced hosts & I had a superb room with my own toilet & shower/bath in their house. I carried out some gardening & planted up a couple of beds & also helped Owain (a treesurgeon) in moving & chipping diseased & dieing Ash trees that had been felled. It… read more
(Excellent
)
4 May 2023
Left by Workawayer (Mike) for host
(Accomodation in return for ...)
I had a fabulous time staying with Clothilde, John & their family in the Vale of Avoca. My accomodation was superb, a self contained cabin with ensuite shower/toilet. Although my stay was short, just 10 days, I had an interesting variety of jobs including weeding, planting & landscaping. Clothilde has an extensive knowledge & experience of edible… read more
(Excellent
)
1 May 2023
Left by host (Accomodation in return for ...) for Workawayer (Mike)
Mike has been a wonderful help and companion for the10 days he spent with us. I want to thank him for his openness, his kindness, his skills , his dedication and his savoir vivre. I can only highly recommend to welcome Mike amd I wish him the best for his travels!!
(Excellent
)
13 Oct 2022
Left by Workawayer (Mike) for host
(Come and help in our large ...)
Mark & Jane were superb hosts, and provided me with excellent meals, took me out in their boat to inspect the lobster pots, helped out with advise & maps on where to go & what to see & provided passes for the various river ferries. Thankyou for that i really appreciated it. I hope the work I carried out has helped to break the back of the final… read more
(Excellent
)
12 Oct 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Mike)
Mike was brilliant! He was very easy to get on with and very courteous. He was willing to help with everything we suggested and added insight into the tasks. He worked really hard to finish our garden project and we ended up asking him to stay on a couple of days to look after our dog and house - something we would not have done lightly. I can… read more
(Excellent
)
2 Sep 2022
Left by Workawayer (Mike) for host
(Help on a farm in beautiful ...)
Working & staying with Laurence, Rebecca, & children, Teleri, Cillian, Seamus & Ianto was my best experience & hosts by far. They are both well traveled themselves, highly knowledgeable about ecology, land management & are keen to promote & contribute to their local rural community. Rebecca is a superb cook & you will be treated to the best meals… read more
(Excellent
)
3 Aug 2022
Left by Workawayer (Mike) for host
(Help with horses, home and ...)
I throughly enjoyed my stay at Derwen Stud. Myfanwy & Ifor are excellent hosts with many years of doing so & so totally understand the concept of a fair exchange from both sides.
I had a variety of jobs and it was a unique experience to be so close to the beautiful Welsh Cobs that they bred. Myfanwy's baking is excellent, with lots of cakes &… read more
I had a variety of jobs and it was a unique experience to be so close to the beautiful Welsh Cobs that they bred. Myfanwy's baking is excellent, with lots of cakes &… read more
(Excellent
)
2 Aug 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Mike)
Mike spent three weeks with us on the farm. He is very easy to get along with, a very good helper with many skills.
He strimmed along our lane and worked on our pond project, he has a vast knowledge of plants and gardening. He cemented cracks in our yard, collected stones to fill holes and every morning helped around the stable yard.
During his… read more
He strimmed along our lane and worked on our pond project, he has a vast knowledge of plants and gardening. He cemented cracks in our yard, collected stones to fill holes and every morning helped around the stable yard.
During his… read more
(Excellent
)
8 Jul 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Mike)
Mike was an excellent guest and worked really hard as well. His skills are superb and his knowledge excellent. We enjoyed hosting Mike and we’re glad he had a good time. He’s a great guest and hopefully we’ll keep in touch.
(Excellent
)
6 Jul 2022
Left by Workawayer (Mike) for host
(Come and help to restore ...)
Quentin & Natasha were superb hosts & I throughly enjoyed my time working here. The majority of the work was in the water gardens, which are in the process of being restored, having been neglected for quite awhile. It is an interesting project. I also helped out on the lake, & with a small amount of housekeeping. Mealtimes were always very… read more
(Excellent
)
22 Jun 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Mike)
Mike is a true gentleman and was a total pleasure to have around. I threatened all manner of means to keep him here, including removing the wheels of his camper van.... The only problem with Mike was to get him to stop working, such is his desire to get stuck in. He did amazing work for me, was easy and interesting to have around and I'm hoping he… read more
(Excellent
)
13 May 2022
Left by Workawayer (Mike) for host
(Help develop our new place ...)
Kate was a superb host, with a friendly, welcoming & trusting demeanour. We discussed jobs for the day ahead & she was available by phone, whatsapp/text should any issues have arisen or clarification been needed whilst she was at work. She provided constructive & positive feedback on my work & provided variety in the jobs to be tackled.
Kate has… read more
Kate has… read more
(Excellent
)
8 May 2022
Left by host for Workawayer (Mike)
After only a week, we are really feeling the space that Mike has just left at our table. We have so much gratitude in our hearts for his 'Above and Beyond' attitude to everything he got involved in. His cheery, chatty, sunshine demeanor has be a pleasure to have around the house and garden and he has helped move so many of our projects forward and… read more
(Excellent
)
