Experience life off the grid on DeCourcy Island near Nanaimo, Canada

Details

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  Description

  We are a retired couple who live off grid on an island south of Nanaimo, BC, with our two slightly neurotic cocker spaniel dogs. We have been married 44 years and live in a newly renovated home on 2.5 acres at the edge of the water. We like to say we live on the nature channel with regular visits from sea lions, eagles, seals and deer. Occasionally whales swim past us under the deck. The sunsets are spectacular.
  
  We get all of our water through a rain water catchment system and our power from solar panels with a back up generator. We are truly off grid but have all of the comforts of the city. We just have to manage the power and water wisely.
  
  We built a beautiful two bedroom bunkie (320 sq. ft) next to our garden in 2020 where our guests will stay. It has a small bathroom but no cooking facilities. It has propane heat and on demand hot water.
  
  There is a garden where we grow flowers and a lot of our vegetables which we start from seed in the greenhouse.
  
  We start our days early and would expect about 5 hours of help in the early part of the day. Afternoons could be spent kayaking, exploring the island or relaxing on the bunkie deck.
  
  I admit cooking isn't really our thing but there is always tons of food in the fridge. The menu is simple, in the summers it's mostly barbecued chicken or fish (no red meat) veggies and salads for dinner. Self serve meals during the day are normal but we would like our workawaysto cook half of the dinners and clean up the kitchen as part of their hours. I will stock the fridge and pantry with any reasonable preferences for ingredients.
  
  We are quiet low key people living a peaceful existence on a remote island. There are no stores or commercial businesses. But there is nature and a beautiful 2 acre property to enjoy. We have kayaks and bikes for your use. Because of the isolation our work stay is ideal for a couple. We have good cell reception and internet access within reason. This is a non smoking property. No drugs, minimal social drinking. Our guests must be vaccinated.
  
  We could meet you by car at the ferry terminal in Nanaimo to then get on our 22 foot aluminum boat to travel twenty minutes to the island. There are no stores on the island and we go for supplies twice a month. Pick up could be arranged to coincide with supply runs. There is also a sea plane which comes from Vancouver near the International airport directly to our marina. A ten minute flight to our island provides a once in a lifetime experience.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Animal Care

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Pets

  

  Nature
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  You will experience a truly off grid west coast life style and all that it entails. We get our power from solar panels and a back up generator, Our water is filtered from a rain catchment system and our heat is from a wood stove. We have to be very careful with water consumption.
  It is a unique lifestyle that can only be understood by experiencing.
  
  Sightings of sea lions, eagles, whales, and deer is possible depending on the time of year.

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  Help

  Cooking meals
  Power washing deck
  Staining deck
  Help in the garden, turning beds over, weeding, planting
  General maintenance around the property.
  Construction help with DIY projects
  firewood splitting and stacking

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  We have a two bedroom bunkie built in 2020 (320 sq ft) with its own deck facing the ocean. There is no cooking facilities but it has bar fridge and a small bathroom with shower. Meals can be accessed at the main house with us.
  There are kayaks and bikes for your use.

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  What else ...

  Ideally suited for a couple as we are so isolated.
  We prefer not to host vegetarians as it complicates our meal planning. If you are vegetarian and would like to cook all the dinners as part of your contribution of hours, we can make that work.
  The work will mostly be outdoors, helping in the garden and on general yard maintenance. We would like to get the deck and house stained this summer.
  
  Water must be conserved. We appreciate it if the workaways realize there won't be long daily showers and frequent laundry access. ie. Don't arrive in your finest white outfit. We shower every two or three days and laundry once in a two week stay would be fine.
  There are no restaurants , stores or commercial facilities. The island is about 450 acres with about 30 full time year round residents. In the summer the population is significantly higher with summer cabins occupied.
  Everyone is very friendly and have chosen the quiet lifestyle.

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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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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

  Piper

  Cocker Spaniels

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