Experience cultural exchange and rural living with a family in Duncan, Canada

Details

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  Description

  Your hosts, Paul and Terra, are both licensed paramedics who now work from home Monday through Friday. Terra’s mother resides on the property, and the household is shared with our friendly dogs. Our children are grown and have established homes and families of their own.
  
  Nestled in the heart of Glenora in the Cowichan Valley, our small acreage is home to heritage-breed chickens, ducks, dogs, and a few beloved pet goats and sheep. We are tucked between the Cowichan River and extensive Cowichan Valley trail networks that stretch for miles, with easy access to serene swimming holes. Glenora offers multiple vineyards, a regional park, riverside trails, a charming coffee and corner store, and two dine-in restaurants that highlight seasonal, wild, and homegrown ingredients.
  
  We keep a small, ever-evolving garden that needs attention in every season. Passionate about cooking, we prioritize supporting local farmers and growers who work tirelessly to nourish the community.
  
  We cherish the quiet of country living and can often be found by the pond with our dogs as a few ducks glide past. On days off, we may set sail and anchor in a sheltered bay among the Gulf Islands, or launch our fishing boat in pursuit of lingcod, halibut, prawns, or crab—perfect for a well-earned surf-and-turf dinner.
  
  We enjoy meeting people from different backgrounds and sharing our little corner of Vancouver Island. Whether you're interested in gardening, helping with animals, tackling small outdoor projects, while experiencing life on a rural Canadian acreage, we hope you'll feel at home here. We value kindness, curiosity, and a good sense of humor, and we look forward to sharing meals, stories, and local adventures with those who join us. If you're seeking a peaceful, nature-filled setting with plenty of opportunities to explore the Cowichan Valley, we'd be delighted to welcome you.
  
  We are not a business, therefore activities and schedules are very flexible.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Elderly Companionship

  Light gardening

  Creative DIY projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Sustainability

  

  Pets

  

  Farming

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Gardening

  

  Animals

  

  Nature

  

  Camping

  

  Sailing / Boating

  

  Beach
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We are always eager to learn about different cultures, perspectives, and ways of life, and we enjoy incorporating new ideas into our daily routines—especially in the kitchen. Food is something we love to share, and we often experiment by blending flavours, techniques, and traditions to create our own unique dishes.
  
  We are also on our own learning journey in understanding and appreciating the history, cultures, and contributions of the Indigenous Peoples who have been stewards of the lands where we now live, work, and play. We value respectful conversations and opportunities to broaden our understanding through shared experiences.
  
  We are happy to share what we know about animal husbandry, small-scale acreage living, and caring for heritage-breed poultry and livestock. At the same time, we are always keen to learn more about gardening, sustainability, and growing food.
  
  The Cowichan Valley offers a vibrant mix of community events, farmers' markets, festivals, outdoor recreation, and cultural experiences throughout the year. Depending on the season, there are many opportunities to explore the region and experience life on Vancouver Island.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  Tasks may include light animal care, coop cleaning, gardening, yard maintenance, and a variety of seasonal projects that arise around the property. We are currently looking for someone to help with building homes for our animals in our pasture.
  
  We enjoy cooking and sharing meals together and welcome opportunities to exchange recipes, techniques, and cultural traditions with our guests.
  
  Depending on the season, projects may include painting fences, barns, or other outbuildings, as well as general property upkeep and improvement projects. Tasks may be completed independently or alongside us, depending on our schedules and the nature of the task. We aim to provide clear guidance while allowing flexibility and autonomy where appropriate.
  
  Occasionally, we may travel for a few days and would appreciate assistance with caring for our animals and keeping an eye on the property, with Terra's mother's assistance, while we are away.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Gaelic (Manx): Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  Accommodation is provided in a large, self-contained RV that is in near-new condition. The unit is fully equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, and private bedroom, offering a comfortable and independent living space. As a toy hauler, it also features a separate garage area that serves as a secondary bedroom or additional living space with a table and benches, divided by a glass door.
  
  Due to our work schedules, we are generally unable to provide breakfast and lunch; however, the RV is fully equipped for guests to prepare their own meals (groceries provided). We enjoy sharing dinners when schedules align and often welcome the opportunity to connect over a meal, though this is flexible and will depend on everyone's plans and availability.

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  What else ...

  During your time off, there are countless opportunities to explore the Cowichan Valley and Vancouver Island. The nearby city of Duncan offers shopping, restaurants, local markets, and cultural attractions, while the surrounding region is known for its vineyards, farms, forests, lakes, rivers, and rugged coastline.
  
  Outdoor enthusiasts will find no shortage of activities, with easy access to hiking and cycling trails, swimming holes, beaches, kayaking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Whether you prefer exploring charming coastal communities, relaxing by the water, or venturing into the mountains and old-growth forests, Vancouver Island offers something for every interest and season.
  
  When schedules and weather permit, you may also have the opportunity to join us on the water. We enjoy both sailing and fishing and occasionally spend our free time exploring the Gulf Islands, dropping anchor in quiet bays, or heading out in search of salmon, halibut, lingcod, prawns, and crab. Guests who enjoy being on the ocean are welcome to share in these experiences.
  
  We are happy to assist with local excursions when schedules permit and can provide access to an additional vehicle for local use, subject to a valid driver's license, appropriate driving experience, and insurance requirements.

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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

  Schedules are negotiable. Internet access may be weak depending on the location of the RV but we can certainly install a signal booster.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  An RV can be accommodated with electrical and water hook ups. Sewer must be drained into a portable tank and dumped into our septic tank. We have a portable tank and can assist.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  This would be dependent on type of animal, behavior and requirements.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

  

  Goats: Aura, Cocoa, Fig, Sheila, Hamish, Oreo and Nina

  

  Numerous flocks of heritage breeds and a duck named Potato!

  

  Charlie, Casey and Max

  We have 3 barn cats that hang out and don't do much of anything.

  

  Blue, Bella, Clipper, Ted and Rosie

  We have 3 very spoiled and happy Italian Mastiffs and a Boston Terrier who are our house companions and one guardian dog, Ted.

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