Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
18 Mar 2024
Reply rate
87.5 %
Usually responds within 10 days
Feedback
12
Facebook verified
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
Hello, I am Smokey.....a dashing, intelligent, sensitive, kind, caring,compassionate and handsome German Shepard belonging to The family. My humans are Smyth and David and we live outside of Blenheim . Smyth is a stay at home mum( she is wonderful, funny and kind) and David is a farmer( he seems a bit gruff but Smyth assures me he is good and my instincts do tell me she is right). They have four children ages 19-9 (Oh dear, they can be handful......but I do love them fiercely). They unschool, so perhaps familiarise yourself with this lifestyle (as they've had 2 WOOFER'S that were quite disapproving of the families philosophy and to be honest, Smyth has enough work to do and would prefer a judgement free environment to do it in). They like to take day trips, hike, and swim and sometimes I am able to accompany them. We live on a 5 acre lifestyle block in the top of the South Island where we share our home with 7 other dogs, a horse, a pig and 5 cats.We are a 10 minute bike ride into town and a two minute walk to the Wairau river where I especially love to go and swim!
They lease two farms where they farm sheep, cows and crops. One of their farms is near Nelson and is on the coast. They have kayaks and a private beach that we like to swim and boogey board at. There is a surfing beach down the way. There is a house and a self contained cottage that they use for our guests.
Smyth is looking for a Mannie for the two youngest boys. She is aware that this paints her in a "sexist" light, but this is what the boys have requested and what has worked best in the past. They are looking for a laid back young man that enjoys hiking, camping, swimming, sports, movies and video games. If you do not like kids, this isn't the gig for you.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Babysitting and creative play
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We like to explore, so you will see more then our little farm. We enjoy day trips as well possible trips into huts. Learning about farming is a possibility as David is a farmer. We lease two farms. The first, a 3,000 acre farm 20 minutes outside of Blenheim.The second, a coastal farm one hour and twenty minutes away.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
I am looking for someone to help Smyth with the two younger boys(9 and 12). She needs someone to work alongside her with the children. Playing games, going for walks and bike rides, reading (one of the children is severely dyslexic and is very self conscious of this fact so Smyth will appreciate sensitivity when interacting with him) helping them cook and garden, as well as mucking out the horse paddock....I would do it myself but I do not have opposable thumbs. I must tell you before you arrive that while the children are lovely, they are wild and crazy so you MUST have a sense of humour and PATIENCE, otherwise you might think you have stumbled into a chaotic, emotional, nonsensical parallel universe which you will want to exit out of immediately!
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
We live in a two story open plan 5 bedroom two bathroom house. The guest bedroom is small but open and light as there are two large wall to wall windows that open out to the garden. The bed is a double and the bathroom across the hall. We are a family of half vegetarian, half meat eaters and Smyth hates to cook as no one appreciates her skills in the kitchen....I personally LOVE Smyths cooking....it's not her fault the children and David have the palettes of donkeys!!! .
What else ...
We have a bike you are welcome to if you would like to go into town. Otherwise, Smyth and the children will enjoy taking you to different places:) If you would like, I am usually free, so perhaps we could go walking or swimming together?
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (6)
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Esther was an absolute dream to have around our family! We are a very wild and crazy family of six and patience and a sense of humour is a must!!! Esther has both of these qualities as well as a quiet, easy going manner. The children love her as do we and we will miss her terribly. She… read more
The kids are indeed a handful, but they're all very nice people that will slowly let you enter into their life, which is really rewarding !
If you like craziness, a home full of life, animals, life in the… read more
