Experience the beautiful English countryside in Buckinghamshire, UK, and take part in a creative carpentry/building project

United Kingdom

Favourited 138 times

Host rating
Feedback
32
Last activity
23/10/2020
Reply rate
88.2 %
Average reply time:
within 2 days
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Availability

2020

Min stay requested: at least 3 weeks

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Description
I am a College Lecturer in my early sixties and I also work at the British Museum as a Tour guide. I live in Chesham, Buckinghamshire, UK. I am friendly and patient, and able to give clear tasks. I value and respect the company of others, and I wish to welcome people into my living situation. I have two children (both boys -15 and 22) who live with their mother (my erstwhile wife) in the next town from me. At present I am in rented accommodation with my partner and daughter, and have just bought a place of my own very near by. We need help with renovating the new house before we can move in - hence the 'creative carpentry/building project'.....
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help with Eco Projects
Help around the house
Animal Care
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Travellers will have an experience of living in a quiet, beautiful location and community, within easy reach of London, Meeting and being with friends and family. Taking care of our wonderful dog (previous Travellers have particularly enjoyed this), and contributing to the 'creative carpentry/building project'

Terms of board and lodging:
either - 15 hours' work per week in return for free lodging with the usual family cooking facilities: Travellers are expected to provide and pay for their own food items;
or - 25 hours' work per week in return for free lodging: Travellers can expect to eat with the household/family.
Help
I am seeking people to help me with:
- building work - the 'creative carpentry/building project'
- moving belongings to the new home. The move will be just two doors away, in the same street, but there are steps up and down......
- the daily chores of life in the house (shopping, cooking, washing, ironing, cleaning)
- dog-walking
- gardening.

I am looking for people who are trustworthy and willing to work carefully, mindfully, and independently on given tasks, and without supervision.

I have no restrictions concerning life preferences such as vegetarianism, but I am looking for non-smokers. Single people or attached couples are both fine.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Beginner
Accommodation
The new house has two double bedrooms and one single, for the use of Travellers (I am living in a rented house in the same terrace - just two doors away). Both houses have long gardens, and are in a quiet location, with nearby woods to walk in. Chesham is around an hour’s tube journey to London (on the Metropolitan Line), and is a quiet town, with plenty of shopping facilities, set in the beautiful countryside of the Chiltern Hills.
What else ...
Chesham station on the Transport for London Metropolitan Line is 15 minutes walk away; a Day Travel-card to London is around £15.00 off-peak, and the Metropolitan Line goes directly to Central London; one can also change onto the Chiltern Line directly to London Marylebone. I can recommend interesting places to visit in London.There are also beautiful local walks to enjoy locally.
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
Maximum 15 hours per week (no food provided) or 25 hours per week (with food provided)

Photos

Me (Andrew), the house owner.

Front view of the house.

Dining room.

Well-equipped kitchen (stove, oven, dish washer, fridge, kettle, etc).

The single bedroom.

Feedback left by and about host (32)

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)

Cultural exchange:
(4.8)

Communication:
(5.0)

15/10/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Mauricio)

Mauricio (or Maurice as he likes to be known to us) is a really friendly and hard working person who makes an ideal Workaway. He gave us way beyond what was expected of him in terms of his working hours, and he showed that he has a whole range of practical skills which he deployed most effectively. He was always willing and able to help us with… read more

(Excellent )

15/10/2020

Left by Workawayer (Mauricio) for host

My staying at Andrews and Sylvia's place was my first experience as a Workawayer in England and I couldn't have had a better start! They were extremely friendly and solicitous toward me all the time. I was given a neat and spacious room and the work was easy for Andrews was always there whenever help was needed. Besides, tons of thanks to… read more

(Excellent )

04/10/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (yan & Jiande)

Yan and Deli are a very friendly and kind couple: very hard-working and willing to help with any task that they see needs doing. They need clear instructions, and some supervision, to be able to work most effectively. They worked very hard for us in the house, and were very pleasant to be with. Deli speaks very little English but was bale to… read more

(Excellent )

17/03/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Cheuk Lam)

Jack stayed with us recently for a number of months and was a very reliable and adaptable worker, most respectful and hard-working. He could also work independently and at his own speed, once given a task. Nothing was ever too much to ask of him, and he was always courteous and polite. He was also good with our dog, who liked him a lot. I highly… read more

(Excellent )

31/08/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Leonardo & Christian)

Leonardo and Christian stayed with me for two weeks and during that time they worked extremely hard indeed, helping me to move house. They were always courteous and helpful, polite and charming, and no task was too much for them. I can highly recommend them as Workaways, and I only wish they could have stayed longer....

(Excellent )

28/08/2019

Left by Workawayer (Stepan & Victoria) for host

We were in Chesham for 5 weeks. And we fell in love with its scenery: there were green hills with cute houses, when we were walking Teddy we saw a lot of cows on the fields from the opposite site. It was our first experience as workawayers and it exceeded all our expectations. We are glad to be hosted in such warm and hospitable family. We had a… read more

(Excellent )

22/08/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Stepan & Victoria)

Stepan and Victoria stayed with me for just over four weeks, and they worked very willingly and very hard, helping me move house. They were charming, and delightful to be with, and not task was too much for them to consider taking on gracefully. they loved walking our dog, teddy, and were sad to have to leave him when they departed. I can… read more

(Excellent )

22/08/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Schmitz & Marie)

Sarah and Marie were with me for just over a week, and during this time they worked very hard and very willingly, with helping me to move home. They are charming and lovely people to have around the house. I can thoroughly recommend them as Workaways.

(Excellent )

07/08/2019

Left by Workawayer (David) for host

I only stayed two weeks at Andrew's house but it was a pleasure. Andrew is a very friendly and patient person, also he is really nice with his workawayers. My job was mainly carpentry jobs (so I could practice and learn new skills), also I walked his dog Teddy. The place is very close to London, so you can go there very easily in your free time… read more

(Excellent )

03/08/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (David)

David was with us for just two weeks although we really would have liked him to stay longer. He is a wonderful worker, who works carefully and mindfully and completes a job to perfection and with a good spirit. He is calm and pleasant to be with and no task is too much for him to take on. He seems to prefer to work alone, but can also join in with… read more

(Excellent )

03/08/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Samuel)

Samuel asked originally to stay for only a short while but ended up being with us for two months. During that time he worked hard and carried out his duties to the best of his ability, and was courteous and patient, working quietly and steadily. He was particularly good with walking our dog. He was polite and helpful with the other workaways who… read more

(Very good )

20/05/2019

Left by Workawayer (ROQUAIS) for host

Andrew and Sylvia are really very nice. They welcomed me and made me feel comfortable. Teddy their dog is very sweet and intelligent. I was able to discover the city of Chescham. It's a very pretty place to see. They were understanding with my not-so-good English. It was really nice I recommend it

(Excellent )

20/05/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (ROQUAIS)

Marie-Lou stayed with me for about one week, during which she completed all the tasks that she was given, to a very high standard, and with grace and dignity. She was courteous and polite at all times and very willing to work hard.
I recommend her as a Workaway Guest.
Andrew David

(Excellent )

12/04/2019

Left by Workawayer (Dmytro) for host

It was a pleasure to stay with Andrew and Sylvia and was an excellent experience both in helping them around the house and practicing the language. Working hours was very flexible and I could visit many places in my leisure time. Thank you very much for your hospitality. Even when I sometimes misunderstood due to my not high level of colloquial… read more

(Excellent )

11/04/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Dmytro)

Dimo is a pleasure to have around the house, and very hardworking and efficient, and a fast worker - always willing to take on any job, however challenging. I just wish he could have stayed longer!

(Excellent )

11/04/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Konstantin)

Constantine was a pleasure to have around the house, and he worked hard for us, doing many jobs. he was interesting to talk with and amusing and witty. I wish him well with future placements.

(Excellent )

25/03/2019

Left by Workawayer (Konstantin) for host

That was an excellent experience! Nice and cozy house, light work. Working hours was very flexible and I was never forced to do anything. Andrew is very welcoming, intelligent, polite and friendly person. Sylvia was also very friendly, she can speak different languages which is awesome. I enjoyed walking Teddy very much, he is so clever dog, I… read more

(Excellent )

27/02/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Diego)

Diego stayed with me recently for a number of weeks, and was very helpful around the house, working really hard when I was moving home, providing me with essential encouragement and support around this - as well as carrying myriads of boxes out of the old house and into the new house. He was most helpful with walking the dog, and with shopping and… read more

(Excellent )

27/02/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Sakina & Vincent)

Sakina and Vincent stayed with me recently for a number of weeks, and they were very helpful around the house, working really hard when I was moving home, providing me with essential encouragement and support around this - as well as carrying myriads of boxes out of the old house and into the new house. Vincent was were particularly helpful with… read more

(Excellent )

27/02/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Alexander & Aubre)

Alex and Aubre stayed with me recently for about three weeks, and they were very helpful around the house: Alex doing various physical and technical jobs around the house - Aubre helping me to 'down-size' a little, and making home-made marmalade. They were particularly good with our dog, and they were polite, respectful and easy to get on with,… read more

(Excellent )

15/02/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Mohammed)

Mohammed worked very hard when he was staying with me, and was always willing to help and oblige, and complete the tasks given, to the best of his ability. He was also keen to learn new skills and ideas, and he embraced new situations and experiences. He was extremely polite and courteous, and very supportive to me during my recent house-move. I… read more

(Excellent )

14/02/2019

Left by Workawayer (Mohammed) for host

I stayed with Andrew for 5 weeks when he was moving houses from Great Missenden to Chesham. During my stay with him, I learned a lot of different skills such as disassembling a trampoline, carpentry work, organizational skills, as well as general maintenance.

He was an excellent host that knows how to give precise instructions as well as… read more

(Excellent )

30/12/2018

Left by Workawayer (Aglaya) for host

Andrew is very hospitable, kind and good hearted person, it was a pleasure to meet him.
I have stayed more than a month in his house even I have planned to stay shorter he allowed to prolong my stay. It was a comfortable and cosy place to stay. The surrounding area of Chiltern hills are great for hike and walk, landscape is beautiful, there are… read more

(Excellent )

01/12/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Aglaya)

Aglaya was a wonderful person to have in the house: very hard working and courteous, charming, and easy to be with. She helped me when I had my back to the wall and the tide was rising, and I shall never forget it. I can highly recommend her as Workaway.

(Excellent )

11/12/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Alexandre Heitor & Betina Röhsler)

Alex and Betina are the most wonderful Workaways ever: so helpful and polite, hardworking and generous with their time - nothing is too much to ask of them. They helped me so much during their stay with me, and I can recommend them very highly indeed.
Andrew (Host)

(Excellent )

11/12/2018

Left by Workawayer (Alexandre Heitor & Betina Röhsler) for host

We stayed with Andrew for 11 days. He is really nice, cordial and a very knowledgeable person. As he is about to move to another house, we helped him to organize his stuff while keeping the house tidy by doing laundry, cleaning and hoovering, as well as cooking (meals, cakes, bread, etc). We went shopping together and he allowed us to buy… read more

(Excellent )

09/12/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (HedwigB)

Hedwig is a lovely, warm person to have in the house: she is hard-working, and willing to do everything and anything to help. I can highly recommend her as a Workaway.

(Excellent )

09/12/2018

Left by Workawayer (HedwigB) for host

Andrew ist ein fürsorglicher, freundlicher und geduldiger Host. Es war für mich eine ganz besondere Erfahrung 8 Tage hier verbringen zu dürfen. Ich bin dankbar für seine Gastfreundschaft und die Zeit, die er mir gewidmet hat. Mein besonderer Dank gilt den workaways, Betina und Alex, die ich dort getroffen habe. Zwei ganz außergewöhnliche Menschen,… read more

(Excellent )

03/12/2018

Left by Workawayer (Sheila) for host

Andrew is super nice, a charming man I recommend you to be with him, I spent two weeks in his house, I have been very comfortable all the time, the place is very cozy. The surroundings are beautiful, the landscapes super beautiful. It was a pleasure to spent time with you, i wish you the best thinks in your life, see you soon friend.

(Excellent )

01/12/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Sheila)

Sheila was a wonderful person to have in the house: very hard working and courteous, charming, and easy to be with. I can highly recommend her as Workaway.

(Excellent )

29/09/2018

Left by Workawayer (Isaiah & Rocky ) for host

Great guy, and a great place to stay. Andrew is a fantastic guy and I would recommend anyone who wants to experience English culture to stay with him. I was only there a week, but I feel like I have made a lifelong friend.

(Excellent )

22/09/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Isaiah & Rocky )

Isaiah is the Workaway from heaven. He was courteous, helpful, good company, and very hard working. He really made a very pleasant atmosphere in the house and helped me keep the place homely and tidy. I cannot recommend him highly enough!

(Excellent )

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