Looking for some company and helping hands in Harkstede, Netherlands

Details

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  Description

  Hi, we are a 60+ couple and would like to have some company and helping hands. We are young in mind, but physically we/I can use some assistance in and around the house. We live in the North of Holland , close to Groningen.
  We live in a big old school. A 10 yearsproject, which is never quite ready, but a lovely place. 8 km from Groningen -student- city, easy access by bus.
  We live in a farming area and close to a lake.
  We like to socialise, share our meals, watch movies together, take walks in the surroundings with the dog etcetera. We have a lovely veranda where we like to hang out with a fire. We like open minded people.
  Smoking is not permitted in the house ( it is in the garden, though I don't like it) and we would like you to have a limited use of alcohol or softdrugs ( preferably none). No harddrugs.
  Though we like to do activities together, you also need to be a person who can work independently, as we both still have a fulltime job.
  We are looking forward to meet you. One person is welcome, or a couple too, if they can share a room.
  Please check our calender before you sent a message- we get many applies for periods we won't even have availability.

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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

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We would love to show you around in our province/ country. Our city Groningen has a lot to offer. Many music and cultural events and festivals. It is a lively student city.
  You could be included in our family traditions like Sinterklaas and X-mass. You would join a non- traditional family.
  Being LHGBT+ friendly would make your stay easier. Since we live in a polyamorous situation it would be recommended to have an open-minded person to live with us:). We 'ld like to include you in our discussions / exchange of ideas.
  Our kids live on their own now, We see them weekly when they come over.
  We love playing board-games ( Elsbeth and daughter) and online gaming ( Ad) and we love to watch movies together.
  We can help you learning English or Dutch.

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  Help

  It is important you can work independently.
  Right now - for January 2023 -we look for someone who can help to install lamps around the house and a security system.
  
  In general: Basic house cleaning, gardening, some painting/ maintanance Jobs.
  We would love someone who is experienced and willing to renovate a floor .
  If we share our meals you are requested to either cook or do dishes as a householdmember.
  Sometimes we might ask you to look after the pets.
  Around 4 hours of help daily is requested for 5 days a week.
  It is important that you have a good health- and liability insurance. If you don't have any we are willing to pay for it in exchange for 3-4 hrs/ work extra/ per week.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Dutch: Fluent
  German: Intermediate
  French: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I've been a Dutch NT2 teacher for about 5 years, so I like helping foreigners to learn to speak Dutch. We don't request you to learn our language, but are very willing to assist you learning Dutch.
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  Accommodation

  We have a spare room of about 18 sq meter, with sland attick walls. Private bathroom with bath for yourself. ( is on another floor)
  The rest ( living, kitchen, veranda, garden) is shared .
  We live in an old school a somewhat outside the village, close to the city Groningen. This is in the North of the Netherlands.
  If you like you can join us for dinner around 6pm. The other meals are usually not shared, but you can take food for yourself. We eat vegetarian food most of the time, but not strictly.
  Groningen is the nearby city of 200000 people and has a lot to offer, it is a lively student city. There is a good bus connection and it is easy accessible by bike. ( student bikes are easy to rent for a few months).
  In the weekends we sometimes go out. If we get along fine, you are welcome to join us most of the times.

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  What else ...

  You need to be an independent person. We like to socialise, but we also work many hours in which you can work or do stuff by yourself. We had a bad experience in the past, so we want to make a copy of your passport and see your insurance and driving licence papers, when you arrive. We have some house rules, but I think they all come down to common sense and respect for each other.
  We are both vaccinated and have a preference for a worker who is also vaccinated, but this is not an absolute requirement.
  The city of Groningen has to offer many musea, and it is a lively student city with many cultural activities. It is about 9 km by bike from our house. Busses go regularly too. There is a cable water ski facility close by. It is a good area for walking. Swimming pool is about 8 km from here, so are several gyms, but there are quite a few lakes around in which you can swim in the summer. There are lovely walking trails not too far away.

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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

  Even though our internet access is not great ( we live outside the city in a non-cable area...) it is still sufficient to do work online. I'm not online every day- so it might take some time before I reply.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  There are parking facilities in front of the house, on private property, but it is adjacent to the main road.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 3-4 hours a day, 5 days a week

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