Come stay with rescue animals in the countryside near Tunbridge Wells, UK

Informationen

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  Beschreibung

  We swapped the busy London life for the peace and quiet of the countryside to grow our own food, rescue chickens and geese, and make the most of the beautiful local environment 2 years ago.
  
  Come stay in our lovely Victorian farmhouse with an acre of land, close to the beautiful South Downs and the protected area of Ashdown Forest with myself, 2 very affectionate dogs, 2 geese, 3 ducks and an ever growing flock of retirement chickens rescued from farms.
  
  I'm a single, professional woman which can often lead to busy days and sometimes travel, balancing animal care, gardening, and diy means our weeks are very busy.
  
  I'm looking for a reliable couple (one bedroom with a double bed), who can commit for a period of 3-4 weeks, and is interested in a genuine exchange of culture, food, language and skills. The focus is of the house sit will be on general animal care, and maintaining the house. Preference will be given to volunteers who possess useful and needed skills (ideally experience training or working with dogs, volunteering with rescue animals, working or living on organic small holdings or farms) and initiative.
  
  IMPORTANT: You must be at least 24 years old, and have at least one positive Workaway review (previous Host feedback), please be sure to check the calendar before applying.
  
  We live in a quiet location surrounded by fields that often have my neighbour's sheep, and a horse called Oliver. Transport links include bus stops within 100m that can take you to Tunbridge Wells, Brighton and other local places of interest, or the train station in the local town which goes direct to central London. Within a few minutes minutes walk there’s a lovely local pub, and the town 1 mile (1.6km) away has all local shops, cafes, leisure centre, restaurants and bars, cinema etc.
  
  I have two beautiful rescue dogs who love attention and cuddles, as well as walks in the local parks and nature reserves, 2 geese, 3 ducks and 30 chickens. All workawayers must be happy to help with the pet care, feeding, giving attention, cleaning, and help with their routines.
  
  Dogs:
  Abby is a 9 year old harrier beagle who will flop over on her back in front of you begging for tummy rubs and steal food if given half the chance. She does get a bit nervous about food and doesn't like to share so we always give her space when she's eating because she was starved and beaten before she came to me.
  Maddie is a 7 year old french pointer who runs faster than I've ever seen any object move, she is literally a blur off the lead and she comes back sometimes but also not at all if she finds a fox. Mentally she's a puppy still so would benefit from consistency.
  
  Birds:
  The geese (Lucy, and Jolene) are very shouty but can be quite sweet and friendly once they get to know you. The ducks are quite shy but do love their morning and evening routines. The chickens each have their own personalities and while they start out very shy when they’re first rescued, they soon find their confidence and will crowd around to find the best worms whenever I’m digging.
  
  We have a lot to do around the property to provide a safe and welcoming home for the rescue animals we take in. To give you some idea of the type of work involved in house sitting here, the following is a few of examples of the type of weekly activities:
  - Feeding dogs
  - cleaning out chicken house
  - filling chicken drinkers
  - filling duck and goose feeders
  - chicken supervision (they need someone with them outside for foraging sessions during the day to protect them from foxes
  
  If you’re interested in living in a friendly home with lots of animals and a farm style lifestyle then this is the place for you 🥰
  
  Please note we do not accept families with children, or pets.

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  Arten von Hilfe und Lernmöglichkeiten

  Betreuung von Tieren

  Mithilfe auf einem Bauernhof

  Hausarbeiten

  Handwerkliche Arbeiten

  House sitting
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  Kultureller Austausch und Lernmöglichkeiten

  During the overlap before the house sit begins, and after I return, I’m more than happy to help with English studies, discuss planting techniques, permaculture, and sustainability, along with basic animal husbandry.

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  Arbeit

  I'm looking for a reliable couple who will commit to taking care of the animals, and of course, basic household chores to keep the home clean and tidy during your stay. You must be awake for dog feeding time (8am), give the dogs time in the garden individually, provide water and food to the chickens, let the ducks and geese out, and then repeat this at the end of the day.
  
  I need someone who is able to help daily and willing to stay in the property overnight when I'm not here and I plan to be away for 2.5 weeks so must have someone reliable. I cannot consider workaways who plan to be away overnight and will not accept bringing guests back when I’m away from the property. Daytime guests are possible if pre agreed.
  
  The dogs will try to break the rules so you need to be someone who is confident, but gentle around medium and large dogs (they've had a few nasty scares in their life before being rescued). They will also destroy furniture for attention if you ignore them when you're in the house. I need people who are happy to spend their free time at home sharing the sofa or garden with the dogs if I'm not home, instead of staying in their room, but when I’m home during the initial introduction period I do usually work from home so I’m around to help.
  
  There's also a bit of housework required of course just to stay on top of things. We all help out with this and it includes: hoovering, dusting, and laundry.
  
  If you are honest, full of energy and enthusiasm, over 24 years old, have at least one positive Workaway review (previous Host feedback), and have plenty of independence, initiative, and creativity you will be welcome to help and learn (and teach) in this home.
  
  I will give priority to people who are able to volunteer for a month as I think it’s important for the animals to get to know you, and it gives enough time for each workaway to really leave an impression on the property. You will need to be aged 24 or over, physically fit, and personally motivated. We do not host families, or groups of friends traveling together as we don’t have the space for this and the dogs aren’t used to children.
  
  Animal care includes activities such as cleaning out chickens coops so come ready to get your hands dirty! :D

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  Gesprochene Sprachen

  Englisch: Fließend
  Französisch: Gute Kenntnisse

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  Unterkunft

  The accommodation offered is a big double room in a 3 bed detached farmhouse in a quiet rural environment. We have an eat in kitchen, living room, library, a large one acre plot of land, the storehouse and garden shed, and the small barn which I’m in the process of emptying and tidying to turn into a home gym space.
  
  Use of the communal bathroom and kitchen: communal areas must be kept clean and tidy at all times. Bedding and towels are provided and use of the washing machine and dryer, we also have a fast broadband connection that you can connect to.
  
  You are welcome to use the kitchen facilities to prepare your own meals on the condition that you keep it clean both as you're cooking, and thoroughly afterwards, so that others may enjoy using the kitchen either at the same time or later - I'm very strict about this - so please take note!
  
  Food is provided, but please note alcohol is not included and if you wish to drink in the evenings, you will be required to buy your own.

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  Was noch ...

  All workawayers must have experience with dogs to be considered, preferably rescues, though that's not essential and please note due to my dogs boisterous behaviour and our accommodation limitations, I am not able to consider families, children, other pets, or groups.
  
  Smokers are welcome to smoke outside in the garden, or vape inside as we are a smoke free home. 😊
  
  We are a LGBTQ+ friendly household, and all religions and belief systems are respected.

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  Etwas mehr Information

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    Internet Zugang

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    Eingeschränkter Internet Zugang

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    Wir besitzen Tiere

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    Wir sind Raucher

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    Familien möglich

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  Kann Digital Nomads unterbringen

  We have excellent wifi in the house and a desk is provided in the room for working or studying

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  Platz zum Abstellen von Camper Vans

  We have the space for a campervan but haven’t had any stay as yet so please reach out to discuss if this would be suitable for you.

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  Kapazität - wie viele Workawayer maximal

  zwei

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