Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
8 Oct 2023
Feedback
6
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
Hi. We are Michael McKinnell and Lauren McCarron. Lauren is a chef, florist and artist and Michael has worked many jobs Including language and computer instruction, carpentry and various posts in the government. We are planning an Eco-tourism site for people to enjoy the many outdoor activities offered in the area.
We live in the lovely village of Westport on Brier Island, Nova Scotia, Canada. The area is extremely popular for whale and bird watching. The warmest spot in winter and coolest in summer in all of Nova Scotia.
We have recently purchased the old elementary school here and are going to fix it up over winter.
The small cottage we live in also needs more work…and a sauna 🙂.
Check out Brier Island on line. Right in the Bay of Fundy, super high tides twice a day, an active fishing village with a large conservancy area, incredible hiking and of course, ocean all around.
Westport is 2 island hopper ferries to the mainland. Each ferry is a 7 minute ride with great views! The town of digby is a 1.5 hour drive from our house including ferries. We have an “everything store” here so trips to digby are about once a month.
We have both been all over the world and this is where we landed 🙂. It’s really special. We have hosted a dozen times so we know the deal…and, did I mention Lauren is a chef.
We are both double vaccinated, and would require proof that you are as well.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We have quite a diverse skill set so there are many things you can learn (languages, carpentry, cooking, rug hooking, painting, fishing…and the list goes on).
Help
The school property requires a major overhaul. We are contracting out much of the work but there are always things to do. Our little cottage also needs to be finished. Other duties would include light housework and general help. We can teach you languages, cooking, construction, gardening and more. Focusing the work on a skill you would like to acquire or an activity you enjoy would be important.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
Depending on the number of workers, we have a guest room in the cottage and we also have room at the school. Trust me, you will be comfortable and well cared for.
What else ...
Let’s be honest…this is a small village that dips to about 66 residents in winter time. Winter is lobster fishing season and that is what most people do here. In summer there are a lot of tourists who come to enjoy the whale watching, hiking and bird watching. It is quite a quiet place in winter. There is one store. Yes, one store 🙂…that has pretty much everything including hardware, gas and liquor. We love it. Do a little research and you’ll see what a magical place it is. If you need nightlife, shopping, cinemas I would say look elsewhere. If you love the ocean, the outdoors and real salty people check it out.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Yes.
Space for parking camper vans
Lots of room.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (4)
The Island is beautiful and so restful.
We helped renovate the little peach Cottage (painting inside and the fence, sewing ...). But we lived on the island schedule and had a lot of free time to discover the island, chill or play some games with Mike and Lo !
Thanks for your kindness and for… read more
I spent almost three weeks with them and Sharky, the happy… read more
Michael help me with my English and Lo is a great cook. Both are very open mind people and we had a good time chatting about different subjects. There also, I could meet very nice people as… read more
Feedback
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Cultural exchange:
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The Island is beautiful and so restful.
We helped renovate the little peach Cottage (painting inside and the fence, sewing ...). But we lived on the island schedule and had a lot of free time to discover the island, chill or play some games with Mike and Lo !
Thanks for your kindness and for… read more
I spent almost three weeks with them and Sharky, the happy… read more
Michael help me with my English and Lo is a great cook. Both are very open mind people and we had a good time chatting about different subjects. There also, I could meet very nice people as… read more
