Help with gardening and explore the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada

Details

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  Description

  We are hoping to find someone in the workaway program to help for a week with our garden in July, August or early September.
  
  
  My husband and I are seniors. He was an entrepreneur. I am a published writer. We volunteer as advocates for caregivers of persons with dementia. We like to hike, travel, attend concerts and get together with friends. We have only been married for two years, and met as caregivers for our previous partners who were in a care home, and who died within six months of each other.
  
  Our home is an older house beside the ocean. We have a great view. We also have a big yard which we are finding difficult to maintain on our own.
  
  We live on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia, Canada, in a small, country community within walking distance of woodland trails and a general store. We are 20-minutes by car away from the nearest town (population 10,000) and 2 hours plus a 45-minute ferry ride away from Vancouver.
  
  We love the peace and beauty of our community. We wake to the murmur of waves washing the beach and the sound of eagles, ravens and smaller birds. We have a hummingbird feeder that is active year round. And we have a laid-back 12-year-old golden retriever named Gracie.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We volunteer extensively with the dementia caregiving community, including running a weekly social/exercise program for persons with dementia and their caregivers, and consulting at caregiver support groups. We are involved with the local seniors centre and with our local community association.
  
  We can share our experience as world travelers and our life experiences, such as my time living on a float house up a remote inlet and my husband's experience canoeing and camping in wilderness areas. I have skills as a professional writer and bookkeeper. We are both good cooks.
  
  We love to learn about other countries, about the foods eaten and how they are prepared, about the culture and geography of other parts of the world. I am especially interested in geology. I am fascinated by how similar people are the world over, despite our different backgrounds and customs.
  
  We can share our extensive knowledge of our local area. I have co-written a book about the history of the Sunshine Coast. We both know the best beaches and hiking trails available, as well as the museums, libraries, restaurants and current events, such as concerts and festivals, happening on the coast.

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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

  We need help with maintaining our garden, so some experience with plants and a love of gardening would be helpful. We are happy to share our knowledge of gardening with whoever comes.
  
  Although there are times when we will work together, we are looking for someone who is a self-starter, shows initiative and can work alone.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  A bedroom with a view. Private bathroom down the hall. Shared kitchen, dining and living room. Wifi is available.
  
  We will provide dinner each day. Gluten-free and low-fodmap diet options are available, We are not vegetarians.
  
  Workawayer will make their own breakfast and lunch in the shared kitchen. Supplies, such as eggs, bread and cereal will be provided for breakfast and lunch.
  
  Workawayer will be expected to help with cleanup after dinner, and to clean up after their own meals. Also to clean up after themselves when using other rooms.

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  What else ...

  We live in a vacation paradise. A bus goes past our house several times a day. There are hiking, boating, swimming, fishing and cultural activities available such as museums, aquarium, and nature centre.
  
  We are a non-smoking household, and do not accept vaping or use of marijuana or other drugs.
  
  Guests will be expected to be respectful and courteous to us and our home, as we will be to them.

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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

  We can offer water and regular electrical hookup. No sewage facilities.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  Hours expected

  4-5 hours/day, 5 days a week.