Help an English couple in Italy, Ostuni

Italy

Favourited 342 times

Host rating
Feedback
23
Last activity
18/01/2022
Reply rate
100.0 %
Average reply time:
within 1 day
Badges

Map

Availability

2022

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

What's this?

Details

Description
We are an English couple who have been living in the southern Italian countryside near Ostuni for 10 years. Jen used to work for an airline and Pete in the music industry. We are in our early 60s with 2 kids in their 30s who live in London.
Our house and the villa next door are in 2.5 acres of land. We are easy going but hardworking and hold to the belief that if a job is worth doing it is worth doing well. We are into music, films, travel, food, cycling and outdoor life in general.
Next looking for help in March 2017 for 2 week periods and ideally a couple. The work is varied and will include some gardening, tree pruning, painting (not on canvas!), general maintenance, cleaning and possibly some building.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Help around the house
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Land & property maintenance so expect painting, pruning, mowing, strimming, weeding, sowing seeds etc but also probably some small construction projects, painting and gardening from February to April. Later in the year olive harvest in November.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
Accommodation
Own room with double bed and bathroom in separate villa from us. Villa lounge has TV, dvd, hifi, music & film library and wi-fi internet.
What else ...
We try and arrange sight-seeing trip once a week and don't mind dropping and picking up if you want to visit Ceglie or Ostuni on your own. There are some nice local train rides to Lecce and Martina Franca
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
aprox 5 hours/day 5 days/week but expect a bit of flexibility especially if need to work around the weather

Photos

Feedback left by and about host (23)

27/06/2021

Left by host for Workawayer (Maria Agustina & Fabian Alejandro)

We had been locked out of our home in Italy by international travel restrictions and were worried about what we would find when we got back! Tutti (Agustina) and Fabian came to help us out and were really brilliant in assisting us to get the house and land back into good condition. They worked on the land grass cutting, weeding, raking up and… read more

(Excellent )

24/06/2021

Left by Workawayer (Maria Agustina & Fabian Alejandro) for host

We stay with Pete and Jen for 3 weeks and It was amazing. They were very flexible with the hours and we had all tools for working. We did gardening and painting job. Besides, when we finished, they allowed us to swim in their big pool, it's very important when the summer is coming and it's very hot :)
It was great to shared time with them and… read more

(Excellent )

12/05/2017

Left by Workawayer (Fabienne & Deni) for host

It was great to spend a week working in Peter's sister house- were we were welcomed with a fridge full of fresh veggies and fruit, a bottle of wine and Proper Wine Glasses- yes, these people know how to live;) None of the jobs were too strenuous but all were mindless, meaning that we had time to think our thoughts and sing to ourselves. Peter and… read more

(Excellent )

12/05/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Fabienne & Deni)

Fabienne and Den are a great couple to have around. Lovely, interesting people and conscientious workers who you can leave to get on with things without worrying if they know which end of paint brush to hold. Everything they do is done with thought, attention to detail and care. We can't recommend them highly enough. Thank you both.
Pete and Jen

(Excellent )

11/04/2017

Left by Workawayer (bert & Verena / Bert) for host

Our first experience as a workawayer, and we found a nice couple, a nice location in a beautyful area. It was more then we hoped. Jen is a perfect Chef. We enjoyed the time with both. The evening talks were inspiring an interesing with lots of fun and laughs.
It was a very pleasent experience and we thank Pete and Jen for their hospitality!

(Excellent )

29/11/2015

Left by Workawayer (Christina & David) for host

We had a really excellent time staying and working with Pete and Jen! They were very welcoming and generous with us. We had a little over a week with them, but could have stayed longer! We found there was a great balance of time spent working, socializing and being on our own. The evening games were always a good time - especially with the banter… read more

(Excellent )

29/11/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Christina & David)

Tina and Dave were exceptional Workaways, the best we have ever had the pleasure of hosting. Great personalities and really easy company who didn't beat us too often at board games so that was an added bonus. Would gladly have them back any time. We wish you all the very best for the future. Pete and Jen

(Excellent )

06/07/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Alexandra)

You couldn't hope for a better Workawayer than Alex. She was hardworking, conscientious, proactive and a quick learner as well as being engaging and interesting company. She got on well with our other Workawayer Inge which made for a very pleasant and enjoyable atmosphere both at work and socially. The work was mainly land management and painting… read more

(Excellent )

26/05/2015

Left by Workawayer (Alexandra) for host

My 2 weeks with Pete and Jen in Puglia was my first workaway experience, and it was everything I had hoped for. I worked alongside Inge from Holland, we shared a lovely three bedroom cottage. The rooms have comfy double beds and en suite bathrooms. We ate mostly vegetarian food for the first week as Inge is vegetarian and it was delicious. Jen… read more

(Excellent )

06/07/2015

Left by host for Workawayer (Inge)

Inge was great company and was a really helpful person to work with at a busy time of year for us. Easy to get along with socially as well as on the various jobs which were mainly gardening and painting. It was good to have a mature person to work with as Inge knew how to do the various tasks without the need for training or supervision which is… read more

(Excellent )

16/05/2015

Left by Workawayer (Inge) for host

My first experience as a workawayer was in Pete and Jen's house.
Working for them is a real win-win situation.
I felt very welcome at their home which is located on a very beautiful location.
Along with Alexandra from New Zealand we worked as a team to take care of their house and garden. Pete and Jen worked with us. Most of the work we did… read more

(Excellent )

27/01/2014

Left by host for Workawayer (Justin)

Justin was a great help to us at a busy time of year, the olive harvest. After the harvest he helped us with pruning of more than 50 trees. Some of the work was new to Justin but he picked it up really quickly and did a good conscientious job. Besides being a hard worker he was good company and easy to work alongside all day and interesting to… read more

(Excellent )

02/12/2013

Left by Workawayer (Justin) for host

I spent almost 2 weeks with Pete and Jen and it was most certainly the best time I had in Italy. We picked olives for the first few days, but the work also included mowing, pruning, and a number of other jobs so I was never bored. I stayed in my own beautiful private villa, with bathroom, kitchen, and very comfortable bed. Jen would cook amazing… read more

(Excellent )

09/11/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Walter)

Two finer people you couldn’t hope to join you as Workaways. They are intelligent, hardworking, pro-active, great company, sociable and a good laugh. Peta and Wally were with us at quite a lively time. We had builders at the house constructing a fallout shelter aka an underground garage (on steroids!) so we were constantly being distracted from… read more

(Excellent )

10/10/2013

Left by Workawayer (Walter) for host

This September,we spent 10 days at this little piece of paradise in Puglia.
Not only were the property & accommodations more than we could have ever expected, but Both Pete & Jen were 2 of the most welcoming people we have met.
Our time there was spent doing a variety of outdoor projects, which meant we were never bored. Jen & Pete worked… read more

(Excellent )

11/05/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (mark)

What a joy. We were very lucky when we found Mark and Tracey.
A couple who both come with a wealth of experience. A very willing and able couple who needed no explaining about how to do any job, and always did an amazing job whatever it was!
It was a pleasure having you stay with us, and the time went all too quickly.
Good luck and hope to see… read more

(Excellent )

09/04/2013

Left by Workawayer (mark) for host

Just spent three weeks with Pete and Jenny in their lovely villa, they were wonderful hosts and really went out of their way to make us feel welcomed. The food was amazing, and the work was varied and enjoyable. They are a lovely couple, easy to get along with and made our stay something special.

(Excellent )

11/05/2013

Left by host for Workawayer (Cili & Matyi)

Cili and Matyi are a wonderful couple. They are excellent company and we enjoyed the whole time we had working with them. They are a very positive, upbeat and hardworking couple and completed all their tasks extremely well. They always went the extra mile to ensure jobs were done well and that we were happy. The two weeks we spent together went so… read more

(Excellent )

08/05/2013

Left by Workawayer (Cili & Matyi) for host

We spent two lovely weeks with Jen and Pete on their beautiful property. They treated us as their children. We had our own privacy in the separate villa but on the other hand we spent lot of time eating, working, chatting and hanging out together. On our workdays we started to work around 8 or 9 until the delicious lunch we had together at 1pm.… read more

(Excellent )

01/12/2012

Left by Workawayer (Maximiliano & Stephanie) for host

We just left Pete and Jen's, after waving goodbye to this amazing couple, we are already sad to be away from them!
The warmth with which they treated us made us feel right at home, surrounded by a loving family. The work was never too hard and they would never put you to do something they wouldn't do themselves. In fact most of the time they would… read more

(Excellent )

01/12/2012

Left by host for Workawayer (Maximiliano & Stephanie)

These guys stayed with us for nearly 3 weeks and we can't praise them enough. They were good, hard, conscientious workers and great company as well.We could leave them to get on with jobs without constant supervision and know it would be done as instructed and where necessary they would use their initiative. Max and Steph did a wide range of jobs… read more

(Excellent )

09/04/2012

Left by Workawayer (Brent & Jessica) for host

Pete and Jen really went above and beyond as hosts for the two weeks that we stayed with them. The accommodation in a separate villa was completely amazing, the food was delicious and we were never short of wine! They were kind enough to take us on a day trip to the coast and Alberobello. They also drove us into the nearest town, Ceglie, numerous… read more

(Excellent )

01/12/2011

Left by Workawayer (Stephen) for host

We had a great two weeks in the south of Italy- great company, great food, and interesting work. We came for the olive harvest in November and loved learning about olive oil and the local culture. Pete and Jen were very welcoming and provided excellent accommodations. They took us to the local towns to explore and helped us with our travel plans-… read more

(Excellent )

To leave feedback make sure you are logged in & your account is online

Website Safety

Host ref number: 16613975684c

Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in Italy Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in Europe Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in Apulia Family Italy Last minute Homestays, Volunteering & Working Holidays in Italy

To contact a host, please login with your username and password or register with workaway.info.

My host list0

Give the gift of Workaway