Share handy skills and travel experiences in Hamilton, New Zealand

Details

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  Description

  I have done a bit of travelling and working overseas and have really appreciated the hospitality of family, friends and others while doing this. I have also enjoyed giving back by helping with jobs around their properties, etc.
  
  I'm a teacher and taught in the early childhood, adult ESOL and adult ESOL literacy fields and obviously I enjoy meeting people from different countries and cultures. I lived and taught in Thailand for 2 years and further back I did a Top Deck overland from London to Kathmandu.
  
  I've also done some cycle touring . This all started in 1997 when I did the Tour du Canada, an amazing 7,500km trip across ten provinces. Also amazing as I met my Canadian husband Tim on that tour. We lived in Ontario for 5 years then moved to Aotearoa/NZ, my home country. While in Canada we organised a number of day and multi day tours for local bike clubs and also 2 tours the length of NZ. Once we moved here we continued touring doing day tours, 2 semi-loaded trips in the South Island and joined a couple of tours in Australia and Provence, France. We had others planned but in 2020 Tim 'cycled away' after he was hit by a small truck when we were out cycling. It's been a tough road without him but I've kept cycling, although less. It also means I have all his jobs to do round the place as well as my own!
  
  I have a dog (Lucky Jazz - a Border terrier x Jack Russell) for company and fun as we enjoy walks, agility training, etc.
  
  We live in a 2 bedroom house not far from the edge of Kirikiriroa/Hamilton (east side). It's close to a supermarket and other shops and within easy access to Hamilton East, the Hamilton Gardens, CBD and cycling and driving routes to get in and out of the city. There's also a bus stop not far from our home. We have a gully section which we have been regenerating with native trees. I tend to drift into the neighbour's as well, removing weeds, etc! It's a great neighbourhood, relatively quiet with gully sections and parks within easy walking distance including Hammond Park by the Waikato River.
  
  I'm also a Warmshowers host but thought it would be great to host other people as well and in exchange have some help with jobs around our home and property.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet

  House & pet sitting
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  Interests

  

  Culture

  

  Politics / Social justice

  

  Pets

  

  Sustainability

  

  Self development

  

  Charity work

  

  Books

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Gardening

  

  Plant care

  

  Photography

  

  Writing

  

  Animals

  

  Beach

  

  Mountain

  

  Nature

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Hiking

  

  Cycling
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I can offer knowledge about our country, flora and fauna. I know a little te reo Māori, can help with English language, provide meals and suggestions of places to visit (and possibly take a Workawayer some places). I would welcome sharing travel experiences and knowing more about other countries, and having meals cooked and shared would be welcomed too.

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  Help

  I would like some help around our property; such as cleaning windows, outside of the house, deck and pavers, possibly some painting and fix it help, weeding and planting in the gully and possibly de cluttering!! Depending on the job and skills, it could be something we do together or you may do on your own. At times I may be looking for a dog/ house sitter.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Beginner
  French: Beginner
  Maori: Beginner
  Thai: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  My other languages are probably less than beginner but would enjoy improving if the opportunity arises.
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  Accommodation

  I offer a room in our house with a queen size bed and share bathroom, etc. As I'm just offering short stays (at most a week), I'm happy to provide food for main meals in exchange for help. Help with meals appreciated of course.

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  What else ...

  There are lots of parks and walks within the city of Kirikiriroa/ Hamilton , including the path alongside the Waikato River (longest river in NZ) and from our place it's an easy walk (or cycle) to that, Hamilton Gardens and some other parks. There are plenty of walks/ hiking in the region some accessible by bus and/ or bicycle. There are regular buses to Raglan (west coast) and towns in the region. It is also central for getting to places such as Auckland, Rotorua, Tauranga and the Coromandel.

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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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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  My animals / pets

  Lucky (10 years)

  Border terrier x Jack Russell terrier. We do agility, hoopers and hopefully scent work too.

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