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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
2 May 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
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Details
Description
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Update 1 May 2025: we need some help in the coming months, mainly to help out with the household chores and the garden as Monique had back surgery on 8 April . She has to take it very easy for a month or two at least. One person or couple, speaking Dutch or very good English as Paul might not always be home to translate, is sufficient for now and we already have help until the end of May.
Any period after that is negotiable but as we don't know how well and how fast Monique will recover we don't want to commit too long in advance. Once she is recovered we'll update this info again. Please read all of our information and look at the pictures and their captions before applying to come.
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Since 2012 we live in a big old mansion in Zuidwending, a rural village in the NE part of The Netherlands. Nice and quiet but lots to do and see. As we aren’t getting any younger we like to ask your help in return for a first hand experience of living a very good life here.
We started hosting in June 2021 with great results so far as you can see from the reviews we got. However we also received numerous applications like "I can do anything you want" but that is NOT what we require. We would like to host but it's a two way deal, *please be specific* on what skills and experience you have to offer and which tasks appeal to you. When you don't, you'll just get a reply asking you again or a polite rejection. If you need more info or would like to set up a video call: propose a way to do that. We can do Signal, WhatsApp, FB messenger, Google Meet etc.
We've done a lot to make our home climate neutral: we stopped using fossil fuel in 2017 and since 2013 we even generate a surplus of solar energy. We are still working on a green roof, rainwater use etc. to try making our ecological footprint as small as possible. Our motto:
"Try and leave this world a little better than you found it" [Baden Powell].
"Improve the world, start with yourself..." [general saying]
"...but don't stop there and help others to improve as well!" [Paul].
Paul loves to show and explain what he did and inspire others to take steps towards their own energy transition and several other subjects. He is a retired navy officer, and likes his volunteer tasks in many different fields.
We were married in 1981, our 3 kids have grown up and left the nest. Monique works part time in a nursing home for the elderly, likes to do watercolor painting, reading and work in the garden. She speaks only limited English but understands more if you don’t speak too fast and would like some practice with you. We’ll both gladly help you to learn some Dutch.
We strongly support all UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) however we've added only the most relevant to our profile. We expect guests to respect them and try to live by them. This means not using more energy, water and other resources than is absolutely necessary. Take only short showers, turn off lights, unplug appliances, don't waste food, separate garbage etc.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Elderly Companionship
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Interests
Carpentry
Cooking & food
DIY & crafts
Drawing & painting
Gardening
History
Languages
Charity work
Culture
Events & social
Self development
Sustainability
Performing arts
Music
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Paul acquired a lot of know-how on energy transition for your house. He finished ours and is only too happy to show you what measures he took and how he did that. He loves to teach anyone interested in any of his activities all about DIY, worldwide scouting, volunteering, the history of the area, his travels around the world, introduce you to amateur radio (Paul is amateur radio operator PA5UL, a licensed 'ham' and currently building an antenna tower and a 'shack'), exchange cooking skills etc.
Paul plays almost all sizes of the recorder (blokflöte, flute à bec, flauto dolce) so bring your instruments if you have them for some playtime together. He can introduce you to this underrated instrument and show you his collection. You're welcome to tag along when he'll join in an "Irish Session" on some Tuesday evenings in O'Malley's Pub in Groningen City. On some Friday evenings he plays a game of billiards in the local community center and there are various special events throughout 2025 as this year we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of “Dorpshuis de Wending”.
Life in rural Groningen might be quite different to yours, let's explore the area together. On the weekends we can take you for a day trip sightseeing in the provinces of Groningen and Drenthe or maybe even into Emsland in neighboring Germany. The Provincial capital Groningen is a bustling student city with many historic buildings and only half an hour by train. We have excellent bike roads for you to explore on our spare bikes, a free app is available to plan your trip.
During your stay we want you to be part of the family and feel at home. You are welcome to share any activities we do and want to give you a good experience with life here in a nice and quiet rural community. We are interested to learn what your views are and how life here compares to your own home background. We'd like to teach you some Dutch and/or exercise our own foreign language skills.
Help
Some of the help we want:
GARDENING: we've restarted the vegetable patches as these had been neglected a bit over the past few years. Weeding and removing slugs is an ongoing task just like mowing the big lawn. Do you have green thumbs? We'll gladly host you any time we can as there is always a lot to do except in the winter.
PROGRAMMING Home Assistant: We could also use an experienced programmer to help Paul expand his Home Assistant domotica project. You know all about YAML, HACS, Entities, MQTT etc. Please specify what experience you have if this is your "piece of cake".
NATIVE ENGLISH: We would like to host a native English speaker with a common interest in Monique's hobbies like watercolor painting or working in the garden for some quality time together, helping Monique to improve her English. Doing some household chores together would be great too.
Projects: an old house like ours always needs some TLC to keep it in good shape. Paul does most of that by himself but he's very glad with your help with some of the heavier jobs as he is not as strong as he was in his prime. Your opportunity to learn how to DIY from him! If you want to do this tell us so we can share what projects we are currently working on so you can pick what suits you best.
Bring your smile, toothbrush and any musical instruments you play and we can find a good way to mix work and pleasure for as long as you and we all like.
Helping hours are flexible. If you want some extra time off on some days you could put in some extra hours on other days. Do however discuss that well in advance with us so we can adapt the planning accordingly. Overall we need you to do your best for around 25 hours a week. The remaining 143 hours are all yours!
We have a broad taste and like to try new kinds of food. We have a great kitchen with almost any appliance you can think of. We are flexitarians and keen to find new ways to eat less meat and find vegetarian alternatives. However we're not shy of a good BBQ occasionally for which we even have a grill kota in the rear garden! We hope you want to share your cooking skills and you're welcome to enjoy your meals with us, especially dinner. We love herbs and hot spices and try to limit use of salt, fat and sugar. We will try to take your dietary requirements into account as much as possible.
You're welcome to take your pick of all the tasks we've listed above. SPECIFY WHICH TASKS you'd most like to do when you respond and what experience you have for them. If you come up with other useful ideas we're all ears. We can discuss them in a video call we'd like to have with you before we accept your request.
Languages
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Dutch: Fluent
French: Intermediate
Spanish: Beginner
Italian: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
I can help you improve your Dutch and English, want to practice my German and French and would like to try and see what you can understand from my Spanish or Italian and would like you to speak those languages to me to help me improve. Monique is interested in improving her English and help you to understand Dutch.
Accommodation
We have a couple of spare rooms with good beds and will provide bed linen, towels etc. Couples can share the double bed in the larger guest room, singles will have the smaller room to themselves or might have to share that if several Workawayers are here simultaneously. You'll all have to share the downstairs family bathroom with us.
We will gladly share our meals or you can prepare your own. Customs vary around the world and we expect to be able to work out a good compromise between yours and ours, provided we know what you want so let's talk about that together soon after you've arrived. We are used to a light breakfast with cereal, toast or bread, a bread lunch in the early afternoon and a hot dinner (quite) early in the evening. What is your cup of tea?
There is plenty of free parking space for a car, minibus or motorbike or if you come by public transport we can arrange to pick you up at the Veendam railway station (5 km from our home) or from Leer (Emsland) Bahnhof if you are traveling through Germany. We have excellent WiFi and some spare bikes to use during your time here.
We expect you to pick up after yourself as we are not a hotel and have no maid. Your laundry can be done with ours or, after discussing that with Monique, you could use the washer to do your own.
We expect you to be considerate, especially when Monique has to work (and sleep) at odd hours. We don't smoke, actively or passively and don't take in active smokers, sorry...
Please note this: we have a zero tolerance policy for any kinds of drugs! Alcohol in modest amounts is allowed after work, we'll gladly share. Coffee and tea are available in unlimited quantities.
What else ...
We have good WiFi and some old spare bikes for you to use as there is no public transport close by. There is a lovely little lake with a beach only a few minutes away by bike, great for relaxing or swimming if the weather cooperates after you finish your day's work. You're welcome to just stay with us in the living or retreat to your room if you want some private time.
We could do some sightseeing together in the weekends, go to the local community center ("dorpshuis") for a drink and perhaps a game of billiards, play petanque / jeu de boules in the court right across the street, relax in the garden or our conservatory, or you could come up with your own ideas. What hobbies do you have, can you teach us?
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have excellent internet with a glass fiber connection and good WiFi throughout the house and parts of the garden.
Space for parking camper vans
We have a big driveway but will need to pass that to reach our garage. A minibus is no problem and anything larger is OK for one or two nights but a longer period could be a challenge unless we can strike a deal with a neighbor.
Can possibly accept pets
Paul is allergic to cats and dogs so these can't stay inside the house unfortunately...
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (11)
My personal goal for the week was to live like a Dutch local and immerse myself in the culture. I've been learning Dutch for the past four months, but unfortunately, it was a… read more
Right when I met Paul, I could tell that he was a very hardworking, orderly and caring guy. He has a beautiful property that he's put a ton of love and dedication into over the years, and it shows in almost every nook and cranny you look.
It was a real pleasure to have the opportunity to help and… read more
Photos
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Accuracy of profile:
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Cultural exchange:
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Communication:
(4.6)
My personal goal for the week was to live like a Dutch local and immerse myself in the culture. I've been learning Dutch for the past four months, but unfortunately, it was a… read more
Right when I met Paul, I could tell that he was a very hardworking, orderly and caring guy. He has a beautiful property that he's put a ton of love and dedication into over the years, and it shows in almost every nook and cranny you look.
It was a real pleasure to have the opportunity to help and… read more
Ambos son personas muy agradables, en mi estancia pase más tiempo con Monique ya… read more
On my first day Paul show me their house and explained me all the… read more
Here, I have done a lot of manual work, varied and that’s something I appreciated.… read more
Los trabajos en los que ayudé en la casa, fueron muy variados; desde limpiar los cristales del bonito conservatorio que tienen en la casa, ayudar con los trabajos en el jardín (que fueron la mayoría), hasta… read more
