Profile information
Host rating
85 %
Last replied
28 Feb 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
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Details
Description
I am retired and would be happy to show you around my corner of the West Kootenays. We are blessed with tons of hiking routes, lovely winding roads for biking, and beautiful lake for canoeing and kayaking. I like quilting and potting, gardening, making willow chairs, playing with the dog, working on renovating my old cottage, and would be happy to share those activities with you. In exchange, I would like help re-staining my 100 year old cottage, and also repairing my gardens after my young dog's playful depredations of the past year.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The Kootenays is a very beautiful region of mountains, lakes and rivers. There is all kinds of hiking and paddling to do here, and camping if you like to do that. The Kootenay region is also lovely for road or mountain biking. I can help you do some of that. Nelson is a very vibrant arts, crafts and cultural community. I have a pottery workshop if you would like to try your hand at that. I also make quilts. There are many historic villages in the region if you're interested in history.
Help
My old cottage and garage need to be freshened up; re-staining the cedar siding, sanding and re-touching window trim. The house is only one story, so there isn't much ladder work required - a step-stool at most! There could also be some painting projects inside the house if there is time - painting trim and doors in the guest room - and maybe you'd have ideas about how to re-decorate the guest room! It would be ideal if you have some experience with painting/staining etc, so that you know how to be careful and exact, but you can learn this too.
The garden needs to be weeded, re-planted, re-covered with landscape cloth and mulch, and hopefully puppy-proofed! You should know your plants/weeds or be able to learn them.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Beginner
Accommodation
You would have your own room, small but comfortable. The bathroom and kitchen are shared. I would be happy to do the cooking or share cooking duties. I am NOT vegan, vegetarian, gluten intolerant or anything like that, though I do eat vegetarian meals once or twice a week. Please, no smoking or drugs.
I have a lot of antiques and good rugs, so you need to be willing to be careful around them.
I try to conserve water and energy as much as possible.
What else ...
I have a young golden retriever dog who is shy at first, then very playful and loving.
There is lots to see and do in the Kootenay region. There is a bus from my place into town (6 km away), but it only runs three times a day. In summertime, the best way to get around is by bike. I bike or hike most days, but also need to take my dog for a walk. My house is across the road from a lovely beach, which is good for swimming, though the water is pretty cold until July or August (at least for me!! :) ).
There are several historic towns and villages in the area, and many interesting small towns. It is a fairly rural area - the three main towns are each about 10,000 people. There is a lot of tourism in the summer months, and also in the winter, for skiing.
There is an airport at Castlegar, about 40 kms away.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
You could park a campervan at my place. And there are lots of places in the region, and in western Canada, to explore with a campervan.
Can possibly accept pets
I have a young dog. Another friendly, well-behaved dog would be OK. An indoor cat would be OK if it doesn't spray or claw furniture. It would be especially welcome if it were a good mouser!
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
