Join a local family home on Haida Gwaii and explore the surroundings of Tlell, Canada

Details

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  Description

  Hi there. Our four acre property on Haida Gwaii homes my husband and me in one house and my mother in another. We have a large garden and yard with several projects always on the go. We are empty nester professionals with many passion hobbies on the side. I am a high school teacher and Pete is in fisheries management. We have hosted volunteers in the past and enjoy meeting people from around the world. Our large garden is a mix of vegetables and flowers which I sell during the summer months. A new greenhouse is providing us opportunity to experiment with extending our growing times. My mother is retired and here most times. Her mobility has been declining and so she may need help with some daily tasks. She loves to bake and sew and tell stories about the old days here when hippies roamed the land. My husband is an avid hunter and fisher and we love to cook. You will eat well with us. We are a short walk to the beach on one side and the river on the other.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Elderly Companionship

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Pets

  

  Politics / Social justice

  

  Farming

  

  Events & social

  

  Plant care

  

  History

  

  Gardening

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Beach

  

  Nature

  

  Dancing
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Haida Gwaii is a unique geographical area with rich Indigenous culture. In neighbouring Haida communities, there are museums and everywhere visitors can experience the important connection that exists between people and their natural world. The Islands have many artisans from jewellers to carvers to bakers to potters. There is a vibrant musical scene (although we are not musicians). It is a remote coastal area which in itself lends to a distinct way of life regardless of one’s ethnic background.

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  Help

  Fall Winter help will include stacking firewood, putting the garden to bed (weeding, mulching, clearing ) Building fences and other garden infrastructure. Clearing brush. Basic house cleaning and clearing junk from various outbuildings, one of which will become future accommodation for workaway guests. Help with large batch food prep. An extra bonus would be assisting with construction of an outside toilet (outhouse).

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Croatian: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  We are an English speaking home but Peter is a first generation Canadian raised in a large Croatian family. So he can speak enough to communicate the basics. I’d like to learn more as I’d like to be a workawayer in Croatia one day! Our French fluency is west coast basic—learned in school but rarely practiced.
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  Accommodation

  A separate cabin next to our main house allows privacy and some independence. Main heat source is wood heat so guest must be capable of tending a wood stove and being responsible in this regard. Cabin has full kitchen, bathroom, washer/dryer, wifi.Typically it is occupied by a long term tenant but a fall vacancy has provided opportunity to host a workawayer until alternate accommodation is ready. Surrounded by forest. In the winter, it’s dark after five o’clock and there are no streetlights. So guest must feel comfortable in this situation. We will provide basic groceries for independent breakfast and lunch. Dinners will alternate between houses with expectation that some evenings workers prepare their own.

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  What else ...

  On your time off, you might explore nearby towns and villages. Beach and forest walks. Storm watching is a highlight in winter. We have a bicycle for getting around our rural community and we commute into town daily and thus can provide rides on days off. We will help to secure rides to other communities as well. If you are an artist, you will have space to create and we can help to connect you with like minded people.If you like to cook, we will happily share ingredients and taste test for you. If there are social events in the community, we will include you so that you can meet locals. In nearby communities there may be sports activities and cultural performances.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

  

  Cosmo

  

  Luka (10 years)

  Super friendly and smart Luka.

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