Gardening, DIY and good company in Tolaga Bay, New Zealand

Details

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  Description

  We are a couple in our 60's living in a simple old Kiwi bach in the heart of Tolaga Bay township, a place with a rich and diverse culture and strong traditions. Tolaga Bay is the perfect gateway to the East Coast of New Zealand. We can help you get the most out of the hidden places that most tourists don't see.
  
  Our house is near the beach and the river, about 5 minutes walk away and an easy stroll to the pub, shops and golf club. The sea and the forests nearby supply most of our food, which is supplemented with vegetables and fruits grown in our organic garden. We eat fresh with whatever is in season and land on the table each day.
  
  We would like to host enthusiastic, self motivated and capable people willing to participate in our daily lives and share their knowledge and culture. Skilled tradies are very much in demand but energetic, curious and pro active individuals are always welcome. We provide our visitors with accommodation and meals in exchange for about 5 hours of home help and company each day.
  
  We renovate, maintain and rent dwellings for a living so we are always busy. Coming last on the list of jobs is our house which does not get looked after as much as we would like. We have started a much needed refurbishment project and we need help around the house and the garden.
  
  We prefer last minute enquiries as it is easier to fit into our busy schedule if we have a vacancy. Please contact us for availability and let us know what makes you tick.
  
  Looking forward to hearing from you.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We aim to bring the world into our home and share our way of life. Workaway is a fantastic way to visit and discover a new region, people, customs, how the others live. We are happy to teach, learn and exchange new skills. We respect strong ethics, common sense, good manners, open and curious minds. We are here for you to enjoy and share our lifestyle and perhaps learn a bit of diy, cooking, language, alternative lifestyle. If you have made it as far as Tolaga Bay there must be something we have in common already. Lets find out.

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  Help

  We welcome travelers happy to lend a hand with anything from cutting firewood sometimes, house maintenance, house renovation, landscaping, general help (jobs vary throughout the seasons). You can choose what suits you most, paid work maybe available to professionals with the right skills.
  
  Keen gardeners are also welcome. Our garden is kept under control but has a tendency to overcome our best efforts at times.
  
  Anyone with a love of fishing or diving will always be a valuable crew member to our small fishing boat, weather and tide, and regretfully work commitments, permitting.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent
  Spanish: Beginner

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  Accommodation

  Sleeping is in an independent private room with a king size bed and ensuite bathroom. Linen is provided. Wifi is available to use within reason. We hope you are carrying your own phone and tablets or whatever connects you to the cyber world. It is customary to remove shoes at the door. Smoking, if you must, is strictly outside away from living quarters.
  
  Visitors usually make their own breakfast and lunches, we provide most things. Evening meals are cooked and shared in the house. Beatrice does a mean job in the kitchen but help is always welcome. Guests to provide their own alcohol if consumed, as well as processed snacks, cereals and soft drinks (ew). We do not smoke, do not do drugs or do not drink excessively and enjoy company on the same wavelength. We are not a hotel or a backpacker, nor your mum and dad. We expect our visitors to keep their accommodation tidy and clean up after themselves. When sharing our meals we appreciate help with meals preparation and the dishes, and whatever else is needed every day to keep the household rolling.

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  What else ...

  We may ask you to work a couple of hours or 5 hours a day. Depending what needs to be done on the day. You will be well fed with good home grown fresh food.
  
  Generally speaking we'll like to have someone stay for 2 to 6 days. We prefer someone mature with a few years of life experience under their belt. Singles preferred or couples who can function independently from each other, any nationality are welcome. If we get along you can stay as long as it works for all of us. If we don't get along you will know pretty soon.
  
  Your time off is yours to do as you please. There are beaches, walks, sites to explore and people to meet. There is a pub but no other entertainment except your own. The town of Gisborne is 60km away. We can take you with us when we go there if you do not have a car. Best to have your own car really. There are lots of sightseeing points you can only access with your own vehicle. No public transport around here. We have a couple of bicycles and kayaks for local expeditions.
  
  There are a few chickens, a cat and a couple of beehives on our property.
  
  When you live with us, like you would with family, we expect participation in all aspect of communal life while you are at home, even outside "working hours". If you lounge around looking at your small screen for hours while we work hard, we are not going to get along... Having said that we'd love to have you stay.

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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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  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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