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Host rating
80 %
Last replied
3 Apr 2025
Feedback
5
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Details
Description
We are Patrick (54) and Bernice (56) - (Both English). Very friendly and down to earth people.
Bernice's hobby is her horses and always has been. Devotes all her time to them.
My lifetime hobby is building motorcycles/parts , racing my RZR turbo and listening to music when I can.
We both enjoy the rural life, but do like a few drinks down the pub to unwind ! (Typical English !)
We live in an old farm house. We keep Horses , foals and dogs/cats. Our dwelling with 10acres is in Otago near a village called Middlemarch. Very long cycle track here if you are interested ( have to bring your own bike or hire one locally).
Lovely views everywhere. Summer is very hot. Winter can snow and road closes if bad enough. The house isn't well heated so bear that in mind if coming in the winter.
Nearest shopping centre is 45min drive. The local pub is full of friendly people (mostly farmers) and the can also get pizzas there.
We find after working 40+hrs a week away from the property, we lack the motivation and sometimes don't have the time to get everything done at home, so could do with the help. We are not that house proud but try to keep the place as tidy as we can. The outside usually gets more time spent on it.
We would suggest, this is a good place to be if you like tranquillity. Not best suited for those who prefer night life and social events. Some days you will be busy and some days we might not have anything for you to do. So just relax or go for a walk, or listen to some music etc....
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Interests
Technology
Nature
Mountain
Beach
Outdoor activities
Hiking
Cycling
Plant care
Music
History
DIY & crafts
Animals
Events & social
Pets
Farming
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
On a Sunday or Friday you can ride one of the horses locally with Bernice. Its a "Very" quiet life here. Chill with the odd bbq and music in the spring/summer and autumn.
Our two sons live with us ( spoken for btw ) Curtis, and Austin with his girlfriend and young child (they have their own rooms) They can speak fluent French as we lived there for 13yrs.
You can pick up knowledge around horses, improve your riding, and good equestrian husbandry.
**Note....Only 10% of the help here is with Horses**
If you are interested in motorcycles then you might pick up a bit of knowledge from myself.
Country life in a remote area is some peoples dream, and a nightmare for others.
We can give the option to stay long term if suited. Depending on your needs, but you will need your own transport
If you have transport there are lots of beautiful places to visit. Lakes, bush etc....there is no public transport here.
Help
Help around horses ( this is a hobby not a business yet) but minimal help needed here
***Lots of Gardening (cutting grass, weeding) ***
Collecting / stacking wood for fire
Help repairing stock fencing (no exp required) and rare
Some general house help (kitchen, lounges and bathrooms only)
Some painting and decorating of the interior and exterior of the house
No real hard work but plenty of it to do.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Intermediate
Accommodation
We have a spare Bedroom with double bed in our house for you. You would be sharing the rest of the house with us.
Some Friday nights we go down the local pub (welcome to join us)
For the warmer months ; Simple gas bbq outside.
Shower and bath.
Washing machine (dry outside on line)
TV
Internet (wifi)
What else ...
Very long cycle track (Otago Rail Trail) very close to our property. Café and pub in Middlemarch ( a long walk down a gravel road or a 10 min drive). If you like hiking , there is the "Rock and pillar" (mountain) near us which you can hike up.
If you would like to work more hours one day and have the next off that's fine ( we can be flexible), we can possibly take you into town in the week (at 7am) and bring you back after our work (around 4.30pm) in you time off. We do expect 4 to 5hrs solid work per day (5 days per week)
If you have your own transport you will be much more free to go where you like in your time. You need to be very independent as a lot of the time you will be left to carry on working by yourself.
We have 3 dogs. One Huntaway cross , one Rottweiler and a Border collie, all very friendly. (oh and 4 outdoor cats)
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Feedback (2)
We wish we could have been here the whole time and… read more
Thank you for your hospitality.
Hope you enjoyed your stay Malika ! , and welcome back any time
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.5)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.5)
We wish we could have been here the whole time and… read more
Thank you for your hospitality.
Hope you enjoyed your stay Malika ! , and welcome back any time
