Enjoy island life and help on our small acreage on Galiano Island halfway between Victoria and Vancouver BC, Canada.
Last activity
: 18 Apr 2024
Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks
Workawayers needed
Possibility that workawayers are needed
No availability
Details
Host ref number: 122869415897
Website Safety
Feedback (9)
Left by host for Workawayer (Dominic)
Dominic helps us with various jobs such as fence repair, gardening. laying bricks and placing rocks in the garden.
In spite of bad weather lots of things got done.
I enjoyed our excursions in which Dominic was always willing to participate in.
Take care Dominic and we will find some cedar seeds to send.
Randy & Jon
Left by Workawayer (Dominic) for host
My stay at Jón and Randy's place in April and May made me fall in love with Galiano Island and the beauty it has to offer. I would spend hours every day at the shore which is just across the street from their large property and garden. I saw lots of wildlife including all sorts of birds, seals, sea lions, otters, bald eagles and omg I got to see
… read more humpback whales and orcas. An experience of a lifetime. Felt otherworldly.
Besides the amazing location I was provided, both of them welcomed me with open arms, Randy cooked the nicest vegan food for me and we would play a fun little board game almost every evening.
Jón always knew some projects to work on in the garden including cultivating soil, cleaning the greenhouse and studio, fixing the fence and lots more. When it was rainy we would just be cleaning inside the house. The workload really was very fair and manageable, and left enough space for recreation and enjoyment in the afternoon.
On the weekends Randy and I were always keen to venture out to some of the amazing places Galiano has to offer. And also we went to meet some other workawayer residing just down the road, which I ended up going on a very beautiful kayak tour with.
All in all I had some great 3 weeks and am very grateful for this time.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Chris) for host
My 3 1/2 month stay with Randy and Jon was a MUCH needed interruption in an unbroken string of disappointing workaway situations! I arrived at what I considered to be the best time of the year, early April. Perfect timing, in order to witness their magnificent gardens and plantings, DECADES in the making, emerge from their winter dormancy. And,
… read more just in time to witness the steady return of dozens of species of migratory birds that nest on Galiano. The property is merely a short stroll from the ocean, with endless hiking along an unbelievably scenic coastline. Endless forested hikes are equally accessible. Accommodations were fantastic, aesthetically, and in terms of comfort and privacy. Randy and Jon have called Galiano home for some 30+ years, and so are able to answer virtually any/all questions pertaining to the island. They also have a vast knowledge of plants and gardening, and I can only assume I learned more than I'm even conscious of! LOL Very hospitable and accommodating....and PLENTY of delicious food. A sincere treat, and somewhere I'd always hope to revisit!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Chris)
Chris worked with us for April, May and June. He was an exceptional worker. He easily followed instruction and in fact he would clarify if he did not understand a request.
His interest in plants and careful attention to them was extremely impressive from seeding to transplanting and then maintaining them.
He is a very trustworthy person that made
… read more the situation very comfortable.
Chris helped us with a variety of jobs from landscaping, gardening to carpentry and painting. He was focused and thorough with all tasks and completed jobs in a very timely manner.
He also asked if any other help was needed even after completing his day's work.
Chris was very tidy and left the studio that he stayed in very clean throughout his stay.
I need to mention his lovely little dog Pup who proved to be a quiet and extremely well behaved. (Even a no dog lover could appreciate this lovely creature)
Thank you Chris for all your help. Other hosts should not hesitate to host this hard working man.
Thanks also for the bird and plant knowledge that you shared with us.
Randy and Jón, Galiano Island, BC
Left by host for Workawayer (Adriano)
Adriano worked hard and efficiently at whatever jobs we asked of him. He was very fast at completing them and then was asking for more.
In spite of an unusually rainy time (it is usually clear and dry at this time of year) we still got many jobs done.
He organized and chopped and split firewood and made kindling. He moved a pile of soil to the
… read more nursery area and dug over all of the vegetable garden beds - now they are ready for next year. At this time of year the perennial gardens need to be cut down and the vegetable gardens need to be cleared. He worked at all of these and we are well ahead of the spring work now, thanks to his help. He helped me with fence repair and cleared up after the work was done. Then he was asking for something else to do, a great Workawayer, very helpful.
He fitted in well and we had lots of fun playing table games and visiting with our friends.
Thank you, Adriano, you will always be welcome in our home. Come back anytime.
Left by Workawayer (Adriano) for host
This was the 3d Workaway experience I did in Canada, the most lovely and peaceful one!
I can’t believe how kind people can be here in Canada, mostly when you go in the little islands.
Galiano Island is a very beautiful little paradise. When I went there i was surprised by the simplicity of the place and by the little wooden houses they have, in
… read more the middle of the woods, completely surrounded by nature.
Jon and Randy are two wonderful people, very nice and polite, the best hosts I’ve ever had on a Workaway experience. When I went to their home I was pleasantly welcomed, they made me feel immediately comfortable and like home. I was sleeping on a little fancy cabin house, very comfortable, full of everything I needed: Wifi, Heater, Bed, Books and there was a nice view of the trees out the windows all around.
They also offered me lots of beers, cookies and many delicious meals (Randy is a really great cook!!). They have very funny and cool friends with whom I played many board games. They like to play the “MARBLE” Game which is very fun and competitive, so if you plan to come here, expect to play a lot of this.
Randy was very kind to me and made me have everything I needed, he showed me many interesting places in Galiano, he also taught me that in life it is sometimes important to help others and be kind. It doesn't take anything to make a difference sometimes.
Jon is an artist, very good at drawing and full of music culture. I had fun listening to them and finding out about new songs I didn’t know.
It was the first time I worked alone, but I felt very well with both. The work wasn’t too hard at all, and I didn't have to work so much, because there were lots of rainy days. So we spent the most of the time together having fun, drinking beer and playing MARBLE with their friends, which also were very good at cooking too!
I hope i did my best, even if for a short while.
I wanna say thank you very much to Randy and Jon for the hospitality and for the lovely little piece of life we shared together!
Hope to see you again in the future!
In Italy you’ll be much more than welcome! So I’m waiting for you!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Left by host for Workawayer (Dominic)
Dominic helps us with various jobs such as fence repair, gardening. laying bricks and placing rocks in the garden.
In spite of bad weather lots of things got done.
I enjoyed our excursions in which Dominic was always willing to participate in.
Take care Dominic and we will find some cedar seeds to send.
Randy & Jon
Left by Workawayer (Dominic) for host
My stay at Jón and Randy's place in April and May made me fall in love with Galiano Island and the beauty it has to offer. I would spend hours every day at the shore which is just across the street from their large property and garden. I saw lots of wildlife including all sorts of birds, seals, sea lions, otters, bald eagles and omg I got to see
… read more humpback whales and orcas. An experience of a lifetime. Felt otherworldly.
Besides the amazing location I was provided, both of them welcomed me with open arms, Randy cooked the nicest vegan food for me and we would play a fun little board game almost every evening.
Jón always knew some projects to work on in the garden including cultivating soil, cleaning the greenhouse and studio, fixing the fence and lots more. When it was rainy we would just be cleaning inside the house. The workload really was very fair and manageable, and left enough space for recreation and enjoyment in the afternoon.
On the weekends Randy and I were always keen to venture out to some of the amazing places Galiano has to offer. And also we went to meet some other workawayer residing just down the road, which I ended up going on a very beautiful kayak tour with.
All in all I had some great 3 weeks and am very grateful for this time.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Chris) for host
My 3 1/2 month stay with Randy and Jon was a MUCH needed interruption in an unbroken string of disappointing workaway situations! I arrived at what I considered to be the best time of the year, early April. Perfect timing, in order to witness their magnificent gardens and plantings, DECADES in the making, emerge from their winter dormancy. And,
… read more just in time to witness the steady return of dozens of species of migratory birds that nest on Galiano. The property is merely a short stroll from the ocean, with endless hiking along an unbelievably scenic coastline. Endless forested hikes are equally accessible. Accommodations were fantastic, aesthetically, and in terms of comfort and privacy. Randy and Jon have called Galiano home for some 30+ years, and so are able to answer virtually any/all questions pertaining to the island. They also have a vast knowledge of plants and gardening, and I can only assume I learned more than I'm even conscious of! LOL Very hospitable and accommodating....and PLENTY of delicious food. A sincere treat, and somewhere I'd always hope to revisit!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Chris)
Chris worked with us for April, May and June. He was an exceptional worker. He easily followed instruction and in fact he would clarify if he did not understand a request.
His interest in plants and careful attention to them was extremely impressive from seeding to transplanting and then maintaining them.
He is a very trustworthy person that made
… read more the situation very comfortable.
Chris helped us with a variety of jobs from landscaping, gardening to carpentry and painting. He was focused and thorough with all tasks and completed jobs in a very timely manner.
He also asked if any other help was needed even after completing his day's work.
Chris was very tidy and left the studio that he stayed in very clean throughout his stay.
I need to mention his lovely little dog Pup who proved to be a quiet and extremely well behaved. (Even a no dog lover could appreciate this lovely creature)
Thank you Chris for all your help. Other hosts should not hesitate to host this hard working man.
Thanks also for the bird and plant knowledge that you shared with us.
Randy and Jón, Galiano Island, BC
Left by host for Workawayer (Adriano)
Adriano worked hard and efficiently at whatever jobs we asked of him. He was very fast at completing them and then was asking for more.
In spite of an unusually rainy time (it is usually clear and dry at this time of year) we still got many jobs done.
He organized and chopped and split firewood and made kindling. He moved a pile of soil to the
… read more nursery area and dug over all of the vegetable garden beds - now they are ready for next year. At this time of year the perennial gardens need to be cut down and the vegetable gardens need to be cleared. He worked at all of these and we are well ahead of the spring work now, thanks to his help. He helped me with fence repair and cleared up after the work was done. Then he was asking for something else to do, a great Workawayer, very helpful.
He fitted in well and we had lots of fun playing table games and visiting with our friends.
Thank you, Adriano, you will always be welcome in our home. Come back anytime.
Left by Workawayer (Adriano) for host
This was the 3d Workaway experience I did in Canada, the most lovely and peaceful one!
I can’t believe how kind people can be here in Canada, mostly when you go in the little islands.
Galiano Island is a very beautiful little paradise. When I went there i was surprised by the simplicity of the place and by the little wooden houses they have, in
… read more the middle of the woods, completely surrounded by nature.
Jon and Randy are two wonderful people, very nice and polite, the best hosts I’ve ever had on a Workaway experience. When I went to their home I was pleasantly welcomed, they made me feel immediately comfortable and like home. I was sleeping on a little fancy cabin house, very comfortable, full of everything I needed: Wifi, Heater, Bed, Books and there was a nice view of the trees out the windows all around.
They also offered me lots of beers, cookies and many delicious meals (Randy is a really great cook!!). They have very funny and cool friends with whom I played many board games. They like to play the “MARBLE” Game which is very fun and competitive, so if you plan to come here, expect to play a lot of this.
Randy was very kind to me and made me have everything I needed, he showed me many interesting places in Galiano, he also taught me that in life it is sometimes important to help others and be kind. It doesn't take anything to make a difference sometimes.
Jon is an artist, very good at drawing and full of music culture. I had fun listening to them and finding out about new songs I didn’t know.
It was the first time I worked alone, but I felt very well with both. The work wasn’t too hard at all, and I didn't have to work so much, because there were lots of rainy days. So we spent the most of the time together having fun, drinking beer and playing MARBLE with their friends, which also were very good at cooking too!
I hope i did my best, even if for a short while.
I wanna say thank you very much to Randy and Jon for the hospitality and for the lovely little piece of life we shared together!
Hope to see you again in the future!
In Italy you’ll be much more than welcome! So I’m waiting for you!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Bastien)
Bastien always worked hard at whatever the job was. There was lots of gardening to be done early in the season and Bastien helped us greatly and enjoyed the time spent outside in the garden. Pruning, cutting down plants, planting (not to forget digging) he helped us with everything asked.
His strong effort was also carried through later in the day
… read more as he worked on his English, both at understanding what we had spoken to him and answering clearly with correct phrasing. If he didn't get it right we repeated he worked on it until it was correct. He visited us for a few days after his last Workaway and his understanding and speaking was great!
He made us wonderful crepes which were shared with friends and thoroughly enjoyed.
He had a great sense of humour and took every day on in a positive manner.
Thank you Bastien, Jon and Randy.
Left by Workawayer (Bastien) for host
I stayed 4 weeks with Jon and Randy during June and my experience was absolutely beautiful.
Galiano Island is wonderful!! There is a great view on the ocean across the road - it's really a nice spot to see the sunsets and some seals... Jon and Randy also took time to visit some places of the Island with me.
We worked together in the garden and it
… read more was a real pleasure because the garden is so beautiful and peaceful, I learned a lot about vegetables, fruit trees and flowers, Jon and Randy allowed me to extend my gardenning knowledges.
The main goal of my trip in Galiano was to learn english language and thanks to Jon and Randy I really improved my english!!! Thank you a lot for that, they never refused to help me and took lots of time to speak slowly with me, to translate or to explain me.
I never was bored, we enjoyed every day with different funny games, with lots of delicious food from the garden, with different party with friends, my time in Galiano was amazing and I just want to come back to see my friends.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by Workawayer (Lewis) for host
Jon and Randy are amazing guys!!
Very knowledgeable and interesting people. So many good conversations over Randys amazing lunches and dinners. Their friends are just as cool and you will meet plenty of them. We worked for 4 hours in the morning on several carpentry and construction projects under Jon's guidance. He is an incredible teacher so be
… read more ready to learn all the tips in the architecture trade!
We stayed in the studio which Jon also built. There place is amazing and worth visiting just for the garden which should have several awards.
Made some friends for life. We will be back with the wives and kids!
LewisYou can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Lewis)
Wow ! Lewis and his friend Vinnie were fantastic - just what we had needed to help with some construction projects that had been needing to be done for awhile. They were great all 'round with lots of fun and conversation, helping with meals and tidying up. They worked as a team and with skills that way exceeded our expectations. You just needed to
… read more explain the overall and they got right to it, just asking questions when needed and completing each day's work with a thorough clean up and putting away all the tools. They were completely able to use all of the power tools here with skill and confidence. This was the most wonderful and fulfilling Workaway experience - and we have two new friends. These fellows are wonderful ! Thank you both. Jon and Randy
Left by host for Workawayer (Vinnie)
Vinnie came to us for Workaway with his childhood friend Lewis who we had messaged with initially. We typically had just one Workawayer at a time but Lewis and Vinnie were just what we had needed to help with some construction projects that had been needing to be done for awhile. Vinnie had great skills in repairing electronics (that was a good
… read more thing too) They were great all 'round with lots of fun and conversation, helping with meals and tidying up. They worked as a team and with skills that way exceeded our expectations. You just needed to explain the overall and they got right to it, just asking questions when needed and completing each day's work with a thorough clean up and putting away all the tools. They were completely able to use all of the power tools here with skill and confidence. This was the most wonderful and fulfilling Workaway experience - and we have two new friends. These fellows are wonderful ! Thank you both. Jon and Randy
Left by host for Workawayer (Daniel)
Daniel is a fantastic young man. He was always there to help. He worked hard and diligently at everything we asked. Then he would suggest more things to do. The results were always great. Even after putting in his hours of work he was still there to help out with house tasks - food preparation (great risotta and great Swedish pancakes) and clean
… read more up.
Daniel is a wonderful musician and one evening he played the guitar and sang for over an hour, beautiful voice and songs, some Swedish folk songs. The house never sounded better. Another evening at a friends home we were treated to beautiful piano music. A joyful evening it was.
We learned many interesting things about Sweden.
He was always up for table games, Tri-Dominoes, Marbles, Crib ... lots of fun and competition.
We miss him and have let him know he will always be welcomed into our home.
Thank you so very much Daniel, best wishes on the rest of your travels.
Left by Workawayer (Daniel) for host
Wow, what can I say?! Galiano Island is a fantastic place and the inhabitants, especially Jon & Randy (the hosts) & their friends are so welcoming. It was my first workaway and I didn't really know what to expect, but this experience exceeded my expectations.
For The work I mostly did gardening & landscaping in their beautiful garden, but the
… read more experience also involved some carpentry projects. The days usually starts in the mornings & is done by early afternoon, with a nice little lunch break/nap. Jon & Randy are great teachers and taught me how to work in the garden & showed me the diversity of the flora & fauna of the island.
The food is great and you will n e v e r go hungry - Randy is a former cook and Jon does the best nachos & egg sandwiches I've vad! If you like to cook yourself you are often able to help around the kitchen and come with ideas. I'm also a vegetarian and they didn't have any problems at all acommodating my diet (I actually ate better veggie food here than I do back at home).
The accomodation is very cosy, you'll (probably) live in their studio which has roof Windows that makes soo relaxing sounds when it's raining in the night. I was also invited to hang around in the main house whenever I wanted to - they have the most fascinating house & a really cosy open fire.
The social parts of this experience were also amazing, Jon & Randy made me feel like one in the family & they took me to dinners at their friends places several times, had friends over for dinner several times & we also went to a concert on the island etc. Expect a lot of board games - marbles is the best game I've played!
The nature on the island is marvelous and you will have all the chances you want to explore it. They have the ocean just over the road, where I spotted whales, seals, Eagles & otters. There are plenty of hiking trails nearby and several more further on the island, wich you can easily access.
All in all, I couldn't wish for a better workaway experience, this is a fantastic opportunity to get to know these wonderful People & their garden, surrounding nature and their way of life.
Don't hesitate if you're thinking about comint here - do it! It'll be an amazing and beautiful experience. I'm glad to call Jon & Randy friends after this. :-)You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Yanni)
Yanni stayed with us for three weeks. He never failed to get up eager and ready to get started on whatever the job(s) were for the day. He worked with enthusiasm and stayed focused until the work was done. He cheerful manner was a welcomed addition to our days. He was always there to help, even after the day's work was done. Whether is was digging
… read more gardens, helping with carpentry jobs, splitting and stacking firewood ... everything he was asked to do he did thoroughly and after still had lots of energy for hiking and exploring Galiano. He shared with us information on Belgium and was a great table games player. We had lots of fun and so much got done, thank you Yanni !
Left by Workawayer (Yanni) for host
Normally I was planning to stay for only 2 weeks but I stayed for 3 weeks instead. The Island is so beautiful, more then I ever could imagine. I came there all stressed but when I left I was relaxed. Randy is a really good cook so you'll never to worrie about you're breakfast, lunch, dinner and all the snacks. The work includes mostly gardening,
… read more small carpentry works and some maintenance jobs. I went to all the different parks and shores and all of them are unique in their way. I met a lot of Jon and Randy's friends due all the gamenights and dinners (you have to love boardgames). I'm definitely gonna play marbles when I come home. Jon and Randy were superhosts for me, it was my first workaway experience and it couldn't be better. Always up for a chat, hangout together and a lot of information about all the wildlife and trees on the island. I'm going back one day to experience more of the island and to visit them.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Francisco)
Arriving as Francisco and leaving as Paco this young man arrived as a stranger and left as an amigo. Always helpful, whether in the kitchen or in the garden he took on every task with enthusiasm and skill and turned what might have been a job into fun project and put ART into everything he did. We are now enjoying the benefit of all of the plants
… read more he planted in the vegetable garden (with a 100% success rate at transplanting) THANK YOU! Evenings were spent playing table games and always with lively conversation and as our German Workawayer was still here lots of language classes in Spanish and German and never without fun and friendship in the mix. We miss Paco very much and were sad to say goodbye but now we have a wonderful new friend and will be visiting him in Mexico City before long. We wish you great success and happiness in whatever you do - and come back to Galiano soon, she misses your beautiful spirit.
Al llegar como Francisco y partir como Paco, este joven llegó como un extraño y se fue como un amigo. Siempre fue útil, ya sea en la cocina o en el jardín, asumió todas las tareas con entusiasmo y habilidad, y convirtió lo que podría haber sido un trabajo en un proyecto divertido y puso ART en todo lo que hizo. Ahora disfrutamos del beneficio de todas las plantas que plantó en el huerto (con una tasa de éxito del 100% en el trasplante) ¡GRACIAS! Las noches se pasaban jugando juegos de mesa y siempre con animada conversación, y como nuestro Workawayer alemán todavía estaba aquí, muchas clases de idiomas en español y alemán y nunca sin diversión y amistad en la mezcla. Echamos mucho de menos a Paco y nos entristeció decir que nos despedimos, pero ahora tenemos un nuevo amigo maravilloso y pronto lo visitaremos en la Ciudad de México. Le deseamos gran éxito y felicidad en lo que sea que haga, y vuelva a Galiano pronto, ella extraña su hermoso espíritu.
Left by host for Workawayer (David)
Wow, what a wonderful person to have as your second Workawayer! David was always up for whatever needed to be done and with determination completed every job enthusiastically, accurately and always with beautiful results. From mowing, gardening, digging, painting and whatever you asked he was there to help. With David around there was no shortage
… read more of fun either, whether playing table games or just conversation in the evenings it was always a good time. Thank you David for all you helped us with and now we have a wonderful new friend. Best wishes for you wherever you go and with whatever you do. Galiano misses you! Cheers!
Left by Workawayer (David) for host
The place at Randy and Jon is amazing and you get a nice and quite place to stay. From this point you can reach fast and easily nice spots of the Ocean. I was impressed of all the good food every day made by them and all the nice places (Bodega Ridge, The Bluffs....) that they show you or which you can discover by your own. You get fast involved
… read more in the community of this Island if you want and be prepared of many board games. During this time it was a paradise full of humming-birds, Bald eagles, Seals and Sea otters. Some people saw Wales around the Island. The daily business was gardening / landscaping and some maintaining around the house. You learn a lot of the huge knowledge of both of them all around flora and fauna. The time at this Island with Jon and Randy, their friends and other people from Workaway was really incredible. I felt more than comfortable and never hungry :blush:
Thanks for this great time and all around it!You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
Left by host for Workawayer (Workaway member)
Wow, what a great person we have met through Workaway... This was Val's first Workaway and our first Workaway too. Totally helpful in every way - the most wonderful young man !
Left by Workawayer (Workaway member) for host
I stayed at Jon and Randy's home for 10 days, and it could not have been any better. We were all new at Workaway so I didn't really know what to expect, but they were the perfect hosts. Galiano Island is perfect for people who enjoy nature and want to spend their time stress free in a picturesque location. They showed me many parts of the island
… read more as well as Victoria, helped me where they could and gave me a perfect start on my travels. I helped in their beautiful garden and around the house, while in the afternoon we played games, had friends over, and ate like kings. If you like cooking Randy would surely show you one or two tricks! The guest cabin was very comfortable and quiet while the view on the garden is amazing with all the birds visiting the garden.
I would recommend anyone to go work with them, as they were as welcoming as anyone can be.You can only contact Workawayers who have an active membership.
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