Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
26 Apr 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
44
Email verified
Badges (3)
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Details
Description
We are renovating
our home situated on the outskirts of the town of Waimate.
,I am a cycle mechanic and I enjoy mountain biking and living at the foot of the Waimate trail. I also do Karate.
My wife is an Art tutor and avid gardner.We enjoy having guests and being hosts we have met wonderful people over the years.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We live in a beautiful rural area with mountain bike and walking tracks.bikes may be borrowed for the track or going to town for a coffee and to explore .
Our home is comfortable and the garden is beautiful and peaceful with clear night sky's.
We enjoy games .
*Most important we like to laugh and enjoy good company and good food .
Help
The exterior of the house is being sanded and painted this year.Help with firewood and general maintenance.Some help in the gardens.
.We have NO animals.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Irish: Fluent
Accommodation
Family home with double guest room in house,4 single beds in dorm room ,Shared bathrooms.
Breakfast , lunch and evening meal provided on work days .Start at 8 break at 10 for tea and cake,lunch at 1.30 then you are free for the afternoon.Dinner is usually at 7.
Non smokers.
What else ...
We are situated between Timaru and Oamaru .We can pick up guests at the bus stop.Waimate town is only 10 min walk from the house with some cool little shops and cafes and an outdoor heated swimming pool.
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?
More than two
Host ref number: 319548663276
Feedback (19)
6 Nov 2024
Left by Workawayer (Carina & Florian) for host
Our stay at Mary's & Jimmy's place was super lovely. We had great healthy food, good fun over some board games and did varied work around the property. We felt very welcomed from the get go and enjoyed our stay a lot. <3
5 May 2024
Left by Workawayer (Felix) for host
I had a very good time with Mary and Jimmy. The accomodation was great as I had a little hut for myself. They have a big property with a very nice park nearby. The clear night sky and the sunrises in the morning were amazing. The tasks were all doable and Jimmy explained them very well. Inbetween, there were always a few breaks for a cup of tea… read more
14 Feb 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Giuseppina)
Guise is the most beautiful lady,she is a ball of energy and so helpful at all tasks.She cooked us a lovely Spring Rolls and I had a break from cooking.😁
Guise and Mamuka only stayed a short time and we were sad to see them leave,they did so much alongside us and we always had fun.They are the perfect 'Workaways.a joy to host.
Jimmy &Mary.
Guise and Mamuka only stayed a short time and we were sad to see them leave,they did so much alongside us and we always had fun.They are the perfect 'Workaways.a joy to host.
Jimmy &Mary.
(Excellent
)
Photos
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
6 Nov 2024
Left by Workawayer (Carina & Florian) for host
Our stay at Mary's & Jimmy's place was super lovely. We had great healthy food, good fun over some board games and did varied work around the property. We felt very welcomed from the get go and enjoyed our stay a lot. <3
5 May 2024
Left by Workawayer (Felix) for host
I had a very good time with Mary and Jimmy. The accomodation was great as I had a little hut for myself. They have a big property with a very nice park nearby. The clear night sky and the sunrises in the morning were amazing. The tasks were all doable and Jimmy explained them very well. Inbetween, there were always a few breaks for a cup of tea… read more
14 Feb 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Giuseppina)
Guise is the most beautiful lady,she is a ball of energy and so helpful at all tasks.She cooked us a lovely Spring Rolls and I had a break from cooking.😁
Guise and Mamuka only stayed a short time and we were sad to see them leave,they did so much alongside us and we always had fun.They are the perfect 'Workaways.a joy to host.
Jimmy &Mary.
Guise and Mamuka only stayed a short time and we were sad to see them leave,they did so much alongside us and we always had fun.They are the perfect 'Workaways.a joy to host.
Jimmy &Mary.
(Excellent)
14 Feb 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Caroline)
Caroline is a great helper and is polite.She is not afraid of trying a new task,and was a great help to us .
(Very good)
14 Feb 2024
Left by host for Workawayer (Liberty)
Liberty is a nice girl,smart and polite.She stayed just a week and was good company.Her help is slow but steady and thorough,she sanded a very large window to perfection .
(Very good)
27 Nov 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Helen)
Helen is such an upbeat girl, full of fun and great to have around, hates having nothing to do on rainy days .just wants to help always. We really enjoyed her company and her easy good humour. We hope she has a happy future .
x Mary & Jimmy.
x Mary & Jimmy.
(Excellent)
23 Jun 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Workaway member)
Paul stayed with us for a day and a half, his profile is misleading.
(Neutral)
30 Apr 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Jonas)
Jonas is a cool young man,he makes such an effort to do a job well and is a good learner,he listens and proceeds with the task,when he was with us he preped the porch roof for painting and painted the eaves,cleaned up an area behind the studio of old concrete and help with fire wood.His English is great and he loves to chat,we totally enjoyed his… read more
(Excellent)
28 Apr 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Astrid-Laure)
Al was a pleasure to have in our home, friendly and fun, she takes a job seriously and does an amazing job, she excavated the vegetable plot but sadly found no treasure. She got on well with other workaways and yes we did have lots of tea and cake and chats. Her help is not measured and she is kind and gentle. We wish her the best of life and she… read more
(Excellent)
27 Apr 2019
Left by Workawayer (Astrid-Laure) for host
Mary and Jimmy are amazing, so kind and friendly ! It is difficult not to feel at home with them. They have a lovely house, a beautiful garden and most of all, a great fireplace !
Mary is a great chef and you will never get tired of the breaks with tea+cake.
The work is so diverse that it never gets boring (weeding, painting, sanding, general… read more
Mary is a great chef and you will never get tired of the breaks with tea+cake.
The work is so diverse that it never gets boring (weeding, painting, sanding, general… read more
17 Apr 2019
Left by Workawayer (Jakub & Lucie) for host
We had an opportunity to stay with Jimmy and Mary a couple of days and it was really great. We wish we could stay longer but we have limited time in NZ. They were both really nice and kind to us the whole time and made us feel very welcome. The food was great and Mary always made her own bread (So happy for your recipe Mary!) and some cake as… read more
25 Mar 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Jakub & Lucie)
Jakub and Lucie left too soon ,we wished they could stay longer they were so helpful and a beautiful couple.
Their work here was so welcome and excellent, Jakub worked on panelling the Art studio and I am looking forward to my first class, Lucie is amazing in the garden and in the kitchen .We loved having them stay and wish them back someday.
They… read more
Their work here was so welcome and excellent, Jakub worked on panelling the Art studio and I am looking forward to my first class, Lucie is amazing in the garden and in the kitchen .We loved having them stay and wish them back someday.
They… read more
(Excellent)
1 Apr 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Daniel)
Daniel is a cool guy,friendly and helpful at all times,I thought he might enjoy not being in the kitchen so we gave him outdoor tasks,he did a mean job on clearing the back of the studio that was completely overgrown back to the soil and did a neat job painting the side of the studio.Dan was here during the stay of Lucie and Jakub and they all got… read more
(Excellent)
29 Mar 2019
Left by Workawayer (Daniel) for host
I have to thank Jimmy and Mary for making my first Workaway experience a great one. I was there for 9 days and they had new tasks for me basically each day to be worked on; painting, weeding/clearing, felling trees and splitting firewood. They were more than happy to teach me new skills from driving a manual car to riding a motorcycle and of… read more
1 Apr 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Jonas)
Sadly Jonas changed his mind and let us with no help having turned down other Wokaways.
Mary and Jimmy.
Mary and Jimmy.
(Workawayer cancelled last minute / no-show )
19 Mar 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Sam)
SamSamShimanoMan,realy enjoyed your company ,you are a great guy and thank you for all the help while you stayed.
Was interesting teaching you how to use my industrial sewing machine and you picked it up so easy and proceeded to recover the sleeping foam in your van, you go! Thank you for the help in my little Paradise .
Jimmy had a blast mountain… read more
Was interesting teaching you how to use my industrial sewing machine and you picked it up so easy and proceeded to recover the sleeping foam in your van, you go! Thank you for the help in my little Paradise .
Jimmy had a blast mountain… read more
(Excellent)
4 Mar 2019
Left by host for Workawayer (Ewa)
Delighted with my garden , it is closer to paradise with the help of Ewa and Stephan , a quiet but friendly couple , they work well and are polite and helpful in the kitchen . Ewa is the best weeder i have ever had, .Can recommend them to be part of your home and work .
We wish them luck and joy on their travels.
Mary & jimmy.
We wish them luck and joy on their travels.
Mary & jimmy.
(Very good)
21 Dec 2018
Left by Workawayer (Miguel) for host
Thank you Mary and Jimmy for the beautiful moments we shared. you are wonderful people who have helped me a lot. Mary is a great cheff and Jimmy really has become a great friend to me. I love you very much guys! Thanks for everything. I alrready missing you.
25 Oct 2018
Left by Workawayer (Niklas & Ben) for host
Our first WorkAway ever was a great experience an Mary and Jimmy made this ten days to a wonderfull time!!
We learned cool new stuff and had three excellent meals per day. The work was always different so no day was boring.
Thank you for the great time!
We learned cool new stuff and had three excellent meals per day. The work was always different so no day was boring.
Thank you for the great time!
29 Sep 2018
Left by Workawayer (Emeric) for host
I stayed 1 weeks at Jimmy and Mary. Mary cooks delicious meals. Thank you for help me to search my sleeping bag. I know, I missed interact. I'm a reserved person and my english level did not help me. But you are fantastic person.
Thank you for everything,
Emeric
Thank you for everything,
Emeric
27 Sep 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Emeric)
Emeric stayed with us for a week ,he was a great help. He did not interact much, but was polite and clean.
With clear instructions he works well and puts the effort in.
With clear instructions he works well and puts the effort in.
(Good)
19 May 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Julia)
Julia stayed with us for two weeks and we felt so comfortable having her stay, she is so easy going .She dosent like to sit around doing nothing and will help in the kitchen even after her tasks. Be warned she tells the worst jokes, they are so bad you have to laugh and we did a lot of that, and Julia can make a mean Pizza and an Almond cake… read more
(Excellent)
28 Apr 2018
Left by Workawayer (Julia) for host
My stay with you was fantastic!!
I really enjoyed playing cards, watching the motogp and splitting lots of wood :)
The work was never too much or too hard and I was rewarded with the best food in NZ and the best curry I've had in my life!
Thanks a lot for making me feel like part of the family from the very first moment and for being the amazing… read more
I really enjoyed playing cards, watching the motogp and splitting lots of wood :)
The work was never too much or too hard and I was rewarded with the best food in NZ and the best curry I've had in my life!
Thanks a lot for making me feel like part of the family from the very first moment and for being the amazing… read more
19 Apr 2018
Left by Workawayer (Reinhold) for host
Mary and Jimmy were truly excellent hosts. They take the principle of workaway very seriously and work hard to ensure that your stay will be a true cultural exchange. Every meal includes discussions, stories, card games, and of course, lots of tea. You feel that they are really invested in you as a person, as opposed to you as a worker. They don't… read more
11 Apr 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Reinhold)
Reinhold is great , so much fun to have around, is into everything and trying everything, he worked well during his stay and we enjoyed having him around , he left with a few new skills to add to his resume, and tought us a thing or too, including an extremely addictive card game called Pounce which we are now playing with Julia our current… read more
(Excellent)
12 Mar 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Hannes)
Hannes is a great guy, he stayed with us for a short time and we enjoyed having him around and he works well no matter what the task. He fitted in well here with all the coming and goings and took it all in his stride,and has a good sense of humour.My advise for future hosts is to stock up on cereals,he loves them, all types. Looking forward to a… read more
(Excellent)
24 Feb 2018
Left by Workawayer (Hannes) for host
I spent my first week in New Zealand with Mary and Jimmy. And I couldn't have met better hosts ^^
Both are good-hearted people, who made the once very easy for me in the new country, e. g. they helped me to buy a car.
But you can have just as much fun with them, whether solving puzzles, playing cards, watching series or just drinking tea and… read more
Both are good-hearted people, who made the once very easy for me in the new country, e. g. they helped me to buy a car.
But you can have just as much fun with them, whether solving puzzles, playing cards, watching series or just drinking tea and… read more
19 Feb 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Marion)
We enjoyed having Marion stay with us ,she is a slow but precise working volunteer ,for example she cleaned the windows ,in and out checking for perfection, what a great job done. She is a hard worker and interested in learning new tasks, She also cooked Ratatouille for us and it was divine. Marion has a quirky sense of humour and plays the guitar… read more
(Excellent)
17 Feb 2018
Left by Workawayer (Marion) for host
What a great experience!
I spent 10 amazing days at Mary and Jimmy’s.
They are such lovely people, who made me feel like home as soon as I arrived.
I learnt a lot from them and really enjoyed helping with gardening, painting the shed and other things.
But above all I loved how friendly the evenings were! I had a great time playing board games &… read more
I spent 10 amazing days at Mary and Jimmy’s.
They are such lovely people, who made me feel like home as soon as I arrived.
I learnt a lot from them and really enjoyed helping with gardening, painting the shed and other things.
But above all I loved how friendly the evenings were! I had a great time playing board games &… read more
19 Feb 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Mary & Joy)
Joy & Mary were a burst of fun the minute they arrived, constant banter. They took on some tasks that have been undone for so long such as transplanting a whole bed of Ferns ,and Joy took into an old tree root that kept tripping me up in the orchard. They are great workers and easy to have around, and are two genuinely lovely women. We would… read more
(Excellent)
13 Feb 2018
Left by Workawayer (Mary & Joy) for host
We had great fun at Jimmy and Mary's house in Waimate. The work was a mixture of gardening , painting and general tasks around the property. Our hosts could not have been more friendly and welcoming and we got introduced to some new card games during the evenings and had a lot of laughs with fellow Workaways. And the bedroom we had was spacious,… read more
23 Jan 2018
Left by host for Workawayer (Cheau Suang)
Cheau Suang is a sweet person,she is easygoing and eager to learn,we learned a lot about her lifestyle in Malaysia,she had to learn some tasks that she would never use at home.We wish her the best in her future and hope she brought some great memories from here. Thank you little spider.
(Good)
5 Dec 2017
Left by Workawayer (Sarah-Anne & Philip) for host
If you're looking to meet two of the most genuine, warm and funny people then look no further!
Mary and Jimmy welcomed us into their wonderful home and we instantly felt like part of the family.
Great crack,fun games and delicious food.
The work was fair and fun and we learnt a lot (like how to make the most amazing bread)
Honestly if you're… read more
Mary and Jimmy welcomed us into their wonderful home and we instantly felt like part of the family.
Great crack,fun games and delicious food.
The work was fair and fun and we learnt a lot (like how to make the most amazing bread)
Honestly if you're… read more
5 Dec 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Sarah-Anne & Philip)
Sarah & Phil stayed with us for a month and we still did not want them to leave, a wonderful couple who are easy to fit into your daily life, they worked above and beyond the required, they put their boots on in the morning and off they go to the task at hand, and did not stop until the job was done. Sarah loved learning new recipes and has her… read more
(Excellent)
4 Dec 2017
Left by Workawayer (Amandine & Yanick) for host
I stayed 2 weeks with Mary and Jimmy and it was really good. Their house is very warm and they are very nice. They have a big garden with a lot to do. Mary cook very well, and Jimmy do a lot of jokes. We played a lot of card, I learned new games. I did not speak english before to come in their house and they was very patients with me, they teach… read more
12 Nov 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Amandine & Yanick)
Amandine is a great girl,a bit shy at first ,her English improved as she got more comfortable with us. She is a reliable worker and a willing learner. During her stay she worked in the garden planting corn and helping other workaways create a potato bed. She enjoyed baking with me and we named a plum tart after her ,the marvellous tasty Amandine… read more
(Excellent)
23 Aug 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Mathieu & Benoît)
Having Mathieu and Benoit stay was a blast , they are fun, kind, silly, clever and I wish they could visit more often. Each took on different tasks, Mathieu trimmed the hedge to perfection, and did a great clearing up around the property. Benoit sanded the front of the house in preparation for painting and when the weather was too cold he sanded… read more
(Excellent)
10 Aug 2017
Left by Workawayer (Mathieu & Benoît) for host
Fantastic !!!
I arrived there on a cold July night, normally for ten days, I stayed more than twenty !
Mary and Jimmy are awesome, fun, cool and they make you feel at home. We had so many great moments while we where there.
I'm really grateful to know them now, if they need you at their place hurry !
The food was great, jobs were cool, music… read more
I arrived there on a cold July night, normally for ten days, I stayed more than twenty !
Mary and Jimmy are awesome, fun, cool and they make you feel at home. We had so many great moments while we where there.
I'm really grateful to know them now, if they need you at their place hurry !
The food was great, jobs were cool, music… read more
7 Jul 2017
Left by Workawayer (Alexander & Alexandra) for host
We had such a wonderful time at Jimmy and Mary's place! They have been incredibly welcoming with us. We had fun, enjoyed playing cards, sharing meals and stories with them. In return, it was great to help them in their garden and painting a room.
This couple is so generous, really easy to get along with, and the bed provided is just stunning !… read more
This couple is so generous, really easy to get along with, and the bed provided is just stunning !… read more
4 Jul 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Alexander & Alexandra)
Alex & Alex are a beautiful couple, they are fun and confident and hard workers, Alex replanted a fig tree that I did not have the strength to dig ,and they both did amazing work in the gardens, home, and kitchen, they made tasty dairy free pizzas and lemon pie. Jimmy enjoyed playing the guitar and they learned a new song 'Driver seat' ,and they… read more
(Excellent)
4 Jul 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Johann)
Johann and Brendan are two great guy's, we had a lot of fun with them . Brendan loved the fire and kept it burning and the log box filled to the brim . They were so much help and did each job well ,and I think enjoyed some tasks that they would never have done at home such as some demolition of kitchen units and making bread. Evenings were spent… read more
(Excellent)
6 Jun 2017
Left by Workawayer (Johann) for host
Brendan and I had an incredibly enjoyable time at Jimmy and Mary's place! They are such a lovely, happy and fun couple and we truly felt like part of their family during our stay. We have many great memories and experiences from our 12 day stay with them from constructing shelves, mowing the lawn and cleaning the shed to playing Pictionary, riding… read more
30 May 2017
Left by host for Workawayer (Till)
Till is a great guy. jimmy hurt his back the day after Till arrived and we were so glad he was with us, he was fantastic at all the jobs he did for us. He showed me how to make Spaetzle and told me about Cologne . No job was too odd for him on his first day we peeled apples for tarts,he is good company and we would recommend him highly as a… read more
(Excellent)
14 May 2017
Left by Workawayer (Till) for host
I stayed for 9 days and had a really good time! Mary and Jimmy are great personalities, very funny and kind. I enjoyed every day, delicious food, very comfortable bed and I had fun at every task they gave me!
I will definitely come back, before I leave New Zealand!
I will definitely come back, before I leave New Zealand!
