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Experience rural life in lovely Leitrim in the north-west of Ireland

  • Favorito 424 vezes
  • Última atividade: 27 mar. 2024

Disponibilidade

  2024 

 Hospedagem min. solicitada: mínimo 2 semanas

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Detalhes

  • Descrição

    Descrição

    Update on calendar - a slot has opened up from 10th - 31st July. After that I am booked to the end of August. Autumn is still free.

    I have a small equestrian property in 'Lovely Leitrim' in the North West of Ireland. Just two horses, both rescues - one being ridden by me (but not recently) and one backed but not fully trained, for which help is needed.

    It is a farm so all the help is physical, but you do not need to be a weight lifter. Do not apply if you cannot keep up with a 5 foot, 69 year old woman with serious arthritis! I do not expect people to do anything I don't do myself.

    I have a full sized riding arena, 2 stables, an all weather paddock and grazing. The area is very rural, wonderfully peaceful, fabulous in good weather and largely unspoiled. It is idyllic for those who like peace and quiet and wildlife. It is not suitable for townies who cannot live without cappuccino!

    Birdsong is constant here, even in winter when everyone says they do not sing. This area still has red squirrels and pine martens as well as foxes, badgers etc. My land is deliberately wildlife friendly, but does need some tidying up. My husband died six years ago and I have arthritis, so it is easy for things to get out of hand.

    NB: Horses need to be mucked out and fed in the evenings, so the last tasks usually start between 8 and 9pm. It normally takes only half an hour with two people. The morning takes much longer. It is a rural area, so not the ideal place to meet other young people. You need to be quite self sufficient.

    Ideally, I like people to stay for at least 3 weeks because it takes a few days to get used to the routine.

    I need help all year around but accommodation is in a caravan and Ireland is very wet, so you need to be hardy types to come in winter. The caravan does have heating, so you won't freeze! If you want to come and help you will need sturdy boots (horses are careless about where they put their feet) and waterproof clothing! I can provide boots in size 8 - 9 (UK size) and have some spare waterproof coats.

    I also have 3 cats (one with only 3 legs) so I'm afraid pets are not welcome. I love dogs but the cats don't and they are very territorial, so other cats would not be able to stay either.

    I am vegetarian and a lifelong non smoker. I am tolerant of smokers, but not indoors.

    I have an electric bike and scooter which visitors are welcome to use for exploring the countryside, and I would be delighted if people would use it to accompany me so I can hack out safely. My aim is to train both horses so experienced riders can join me in hacking out.

    Wi-fi. I have satellite broadband but it is only available in the house (or standing just outside). Computers sometimes pick up a signal in the caravan, but you can't rely on it. The speed is not great but it is fine for basic things. It is not suitable for video or voice calls as too much use slows it down. If you want to use a lot of data, the best thing to do is buy an Irish sim.

    IMPORTANT If you are not from the EU or UK please check Visa requirements. If you do not have the correct Visa for working here (even unpaid) you will be stopped at the airport! Only certain charities count as sponsors for volunteering in this country. Workaway does not count.

    Please read the whole profile before deciding to apply, and do not ask me to book you in if you are not seriously interested and intend to come. I am getting very tired of people letting me down, especially when I have turned down others who would have been glad of the slot. If you have a genuine reason for cancelling, just let me know immediately so I can offer the time to someone else.

  • Tipos de ajuda e oportunidades de aprendizado

    Tipos de ajuda e oportunidades de aprendizado

    Jardinagem
    Construção/faça você mesmo
    Cuidar de animais
    Ajuda em fazenda
    Ajuda a cuidar da casa
    Manutenção geral
  • Oportunidades de intercâmbio cultural e aprendizado

    Oportunidades de intercâmbio cultural e aprendizado

    This would be ideal for people who want to experience rural life and enjoy being away from the hustle and bustle of towns. Anyone suffering from stress will be totally chilled out after a few days here. Leitrim is the least populated county in Ireland and even driving to the shops is a pleasant experience.

    I would be delighted to help people to improve their English, either verbal or written. I am English, not Irish so my accent is usually easier to understand.

    If you love horses but have little experience of caring for them, this is an ideal opportunity to learn. I cannot guarantee riding yet, it depends on how the training goes.

    You can also learn basic land management and DIY skills.

  • Ajuda

    Ajuda

    I need help with horse care (and training) which is a 365 day a year job for me, and with land maintenance which is very weather dependent. I need people who will be flexible about helping - i.e. help out like crazy when the weather is right and chill out when it is not.

    You can take 2 days off a week, or 1 full day plus some afternoons. Please let me know what you prefer for your time off, I am happy to be flexible. Some people just look after themselves all day, chilling out in the caravan or going off exploring, others help me in the morning, then I take them in the car sightseeing once the horses are done. I will be too busy to cook on your days off so you will need to fend for yourselves in the caravan.

    The main help is looking after the ponies, cutting grass, collecting droppings, repairing fences, trimming hedges and brambles, controlling weeds, leveling the riding arena, treating and repairing fences (horses are vandals). Also some exterior painting / fence treatment. There is a lot of DIY work around farms!

    I like to do the mucking out myself (need to keep my muscles) but am allergic to hay, so really appreciate help with filling up the hay feeders. If you are allergic to dust, it is not an ideal place for you.

    Anyone who loves horses can help with grooming etc. Mine are easy to handle, so no problem for beginners. Experienced riders would be great as I need help with training my ponies. One is the world's cutest pony but full of mischief and a bossy madam, the other is a gentleman, but can get nippy when excited. He has been backed but not ridden much and needs a lot of gentle handling and training.

    I ride very gently, with low contact - closer to Western style, so if you want to ride you need to be able to cope with this. NB I cannot guarantee riding, the other work takes much longer, and my horses are not suitable for inexperienced riders.

    I have lots of equipment to make the tasks easier - an elderly tractor, new Quad, mini dumper, scythe mower, strimmer/brushcutter, hedge trimmer etc. and I can show you how to use everything.

    If you love birds and wildlife, you will have a fabulous time here.

    You do need to be able to get up in the morning. If you can't be ready to work by 9am, please do not apply. There is always time to snooze later. Also, the work is physically demanding so you need to be reasonably fit.

  • Idiomas

    Inglês: Fluente
    Francês: Intermediário

  • Acomodação

    Acomodação

    Visitors will sleep and breakfast in a caravan behind the horses' paddock which gives privacy and chance to chill out.

    The caravan is very comfortable with heating and a shower, but please do not waste electricity or gas. It is very expensive and environmentally unfriendly! It has a roof over it with an overhang facing the fields so you can sit outdoors in warm weather - or if you need to smoke.

    The caravan will be spotless when you arrive and I would appreciate it being left that way. It makes it quicker to prepare for the next helper. There is plenty of storage space so please keep it tidy.

    It has gas, electricity and hot and cold water with a fridge, full cooker, electric kettle and toaster. The toilet is a chemical one that you need to empty regularly, or you can just use the flushing toilet in the stable block. There is also a radio, hairdryer and basic binoculars plus USB chargers. I provide towels, facecloths and soap / baby bath for showers.

    You can cook in the caravan but most helpers just eat breakfast in there and we prepare main meals in the house. I don't buy or cook meat or fish and I don't allow it to be cooked in the caravan either. A lot of my helpers are vegan. If you are desperate you can buy cooked meat for sandwiches. Most people are very happy with meat substitutes.

    At present I have to nebulise the horses twice a day (they both have lung problems) so my helpers usually get lunch in the caravan too.

    Just tell me what you like to eat (vegetarian) and I will make sure you don't go hungry. Help with cooking and washing up is always appreciated. I will wash and dry clothes, towels etc in the house. The caravan doesn't run to a washing machine!

    For those who enjoy films I have hundreds of DVDs and a home cinema (projector and screen). You can borrow DVDs to play in the caravan as long as you handle them carefully.

  • Algo mais...

    Algo mais...

    Public transport is limited here but I can take people reasonable distances for sightseeing if you do not have your own transport. Manorhamilton (10 miles away) has a theatre, cafes, pubs, and grocery shops and Sligo with it's lovely beaches and great surfing is only 17 miles away.

    I can collect travellers from Knock airport or Collooney railway station (just before Sligo) but not from Dublin. A previous helper discovered that it is easier to get from the airport to Drumcondra by bus, then take a train to Collooney.

  • Mais alguns detalhes

    Mais alguns detalhes

    • Acesso à internet

    • Acesso à internet limitado

      Acesso à internet limitado

    • Temos mascotes

    • Somos fumantes

    • Pode hospedar famílias

  • Espaço para estacionar campervans

    Espaço para estacionar campervans

    There is room on my yard for a small van but it is not totally level.

  • Quantos Workawayers pode acomodar?

    Quantos Workawayers pode acomodar?

    2

  • ...

    Horas previstas

    average 5 hours a day but it varies (max 25 hrs/week, 2 days off)

Nº de ref. de anfitrião: 364678823342

Comentário (18)



Comentário

Essas classificações são opcionais e foram dadas junto com os comentários dos membros.A classificação média deixada por cada opção é exibida.

Precisão do perfil: (5.0)

Intercâmbio cultural: (4.8)

Comunicação: (5.0)






























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