Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
5 Jun 2025
Reply rate
88.9 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
26
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Badges (3)
Details
Description
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House and DogSitter needed for November ' 25
Look after my house, garden and dog while I am away from home for three weeks plus.
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I am Scottish and in my seventies; I retired from teaching and moved to Greece fifteen years ago to live overlooking the Aegean in a simple little house set in a beautiful garden and an olive grove. I began to host Workawayers twelve years ago and found it to be a rewarding experience as, I believe, did they. I have a little studio here and, before the season begins in May, I need help with its preparation for friends and family. This means a lot of gardening, weeding, sweeping, cleaning, painting etc. I sometimes also need help during gaps in the visitors.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Help around the house
General Maintenance
House sitting
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
While I cannot offer a lively and action packed stay, those who come in winter see the real Greece, the peace and beauty of the 'tourist-free' island. There is time to 'do your own thing' as you need to be independent of me and may seldom see me. You will have pretty accommodation , heat, light and internet but you will generally be expected to provide and cook your own food in your own little kitchen. You need to be confident and self sufficient.
Help
This workaway is variable and my needs may change. At different times of the year I may require house maintenance, gardening, olive picking, pool maintenance, painting, housework, house-sitting, or dog-sitting. You may be required to be alone and responsible for everything if I go away on holiday or a trip to the mainland.
As a result, I need a self-sufficient Workawayer who is not afraid of coping in a fairly isolated situation, and who would welcome some peace and quiet.
Much of the work will be outdoors and early in the year the weather can be chilly.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
This is a small detached annexe or 'kalivi' with a double bedroom, a little separate shower room and tiny kitchen, which friends and family use in summer.
There is a large garden space and an unheated pool. Alternatively there is a twin bedded room with shower room, in the main house.
The house is set outside the village of Glossa, which is tiny, and the island is extremely quiet in winter with very few businesses still open outside the holiday season. There are only a couple of buses a day. It is a twenty minute walk to the nearest village shops and a 45 minute bus ride to the main town. Kindly locals are usually happy to offer lifts. A rented bike is a useful option unless you love to hike.
What else ...
Travel both to and from, and around the island can be tricky. Make sure you understand where you are coming to before you apply! The cost of travel to the island can also be unexpectedly high.
You need to be a person who likes quiet, walking, hiking, birdwatching, reading, etc and is happy not to be in a major centre. The island is beautiful but it is not a place where there is a great deal to see and do unless you are fascinated by the local culture and the wonderful Greeks. There are dozens of beautiful beaches, all empty in the winter, but be aware it is a 20 minute walk to get to them or to the village.
This might rather suit a couple on a budget who would love a wonderful holiday but can't quite afford it. Or it would suit someone who wants to get on with a music or writing project away from distractions. It is unlikely to suit a young, single woman but might well suit a lone older female.
BEFORE YOU CONTACT me please read the following information carefully:
So that you should be clear about the nature of this Workaway: it is neither a 'volunteer' post nor is it a 'WOOF'. It is a 'Workaway' experience for someone who wants to offer work in a new country in exchange for lodging.
I generally prefer couples so that they can entertain each other and be independent of me but, for the Winter Workaway, I prefer to host a single person as there is very little work. I do not host the children of Workawayers or anyone under the age of 25, and I cannot host a Workawayer's pet.
I don't want to put you off, I just want to make the position clear as so many people approach with a misunderstanding of the position.
I look forward to hearing from you!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Wifi fine for normal use.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (13)
Photos
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(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
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(5.0)
They were a breath of fresh air, open- minded and interested in everything, and charmed the many and varied friends we introduced them to… read more
When we arrived, we were warmly welcomed by Heather, who showed… read more
Despite a rather rushed and serendipity introduction which left both host and Workawayer unsure what to expect, Tom proved himself adaptable, hard- working, reliable, and cheerful, completing even unpleasant tasks with a will, and often in rough weather.
Although… read more
I (only) spent 10 days as a workawayer at Heather's place this very February. Mostly weeding (at this time of year) in her incredibly beautiful garden. I really enjoyed it.
Though it was still winter time - meaning most of the tavernas are closed, transportation on… read more
We spent 3 weeks in Skopelos,this was our first experience like workaways and It was 1000% more than we expected.
The place is so beautiful. It is a amazing island with the best sea water colour that we see in our life. The vistas are fantastic, the life in… read more
The family needed a dogsitter while they were abroad. My other responsibilities included weeding the garden, cleaning the pool, tackling mice, and keeping the house tidy for their return, none of which required much daily effort, so I had plenty of free time. They also strived to… read more
However, this was a first Workaway for them, and it showed. They seemed uncertain of expectations and, though they never quibbled about tasks, and work thoroughly, making a good job of… read more
Heather is an excellent cook and Neil makes you laugh hard with his jokes!
They have a cute little dog named… read more
Heather is an amazing cook, she made me try dishes of all kinds, from the Greek tradition to fantastic puddings, Neil always has a story to tell, very interesting people with whom it is impossible to be bored.
The… read more
