Come help with gardening and around the house while discovering Montreal, Canada

Details

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  Description

  Hi Workawayers!
  I can't wait to meet you! I'm a writer and ceramic artist who's looking for some help managing my 2 properties: one in the city and one in the country. I've been hosting Workaways for many years and have loved meeting people from all over the world. My home in Montreal is 30 minutes from downtown by public transport. My country place is a beautiful 50 acre property 45 minutes from the city.
  
  The country property requires a lot of garden and yard maintenance, painting, small renovations, and house cleaning. Projects for the city property include painting, cleaning, gardening and some maintenance. And, darn it, I'm only one person! So I'm looking for a workawayer who can help with some of that.
  
  I have two daughters (ages 33 & 36) and they'll also be good resources for what's happening around town when you come. We also have a dog (named Goose), a Huskey mix. She's medium sized and very friendly.
  
  PLEASE SEE MY SPECIFIC NEEDS BELOW, AND WHEN YOU CONTACT ME, INDICATE WHICH TASKS YOU HAVE THE INTEREST AND EXPERIENCE TO UNDERTAKE.
  
  Cheers,
  Liz

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  As I mentioned, I've hosted Workaways & travelers for many years, helping them to learn English and introducing them to this wonderful city. I've also taught English as a second language, so I have some professional experience too.
  
  I'm also an avid gardener, so I'd be pleased to transfer some of those skills as well.
  
  The most exciting thing about coming here, though, will be experiencing all that Montreal has to offer: French and English language, dozens of cultural and music festivals, natural beauty, and a funky shopping and artistic scene.
  
  The Workaways I've had also love chilling out at my country house. It's a serene break from the stresses of constant travel. I was surprised, at first, that people would be happy to stay at this more remote location. But it seems that being out of the bustling city for awhile can actually be a big plus!
  
  Many of the Workaways who've stayed here in Montreal don't ever want to leave! And some of them actually moved here permanently!

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  Help

  WHEN YOU CONTACT ME, PLEASE INDICATE WHICH SPECIFIC TASKS YOU HAVE THE INTEREST AND EXPERIENCE TO UNDERTAKE. SOME PROJECTS WILL REQUIRE PRIOR EXPERIENCE.
  
  For 2025 here are the types of projects I'd like to tackle:
  
  GARDENING AND YARD MAINTENANCE: This includes weeding, transplanting, pruning, harvesting veggies, possibly wood chopping, replenishing gravel on the country road, etc. No experience is required for most of this work (except wood chopping) but if you have gardening experience, that's a plus!
  
  CLEANING AND ORGANISATION: This is mostly the regular house & outdoor cleaning stuff with some small organizational tasks.
  
  RESEACH: If you're good at Internet research, I have a number of household items I've been wanting to sell online, but need more info on their market value and the best venues to post them.
  
  PAINTING, FURNITURE REFINISHING: The painting is indoors and outdoors (including sanding and surface preparation). Experience is required. The furniture refinishing involves stripping the furniture, sanding and repainting. Experience is necessary.
  
  CONSTRUCTION: If you have construction experience I have a few projects that require specific skill, like installing doors and wood moldings, cement step repair, etc. Good experience is required for each particular project.
  
  SEWING AND MENDING: I have a few clothing alteration and mending projects that you might be interested in if you're skilled with a sewing machine (non-digital), experienced at hand sewing and can use an iron.
  
  COOKING: A lot of Workaways offer their cooking services to me. That's great and I love eating delicious meals from all over the world, so if it's something you'd like to do I'm happy to incorporate this chore into your regular daily work schedule.
  
  FURNITURE REPAIR: If you're a skilled carpenter, I have several pieces (mostly chairs) that need repair.
  
  DOG WALKING & DOG SITTING: When we're in the city, I can always use someone to take Goose (the dog) on her walks. Occasionally, if I'm travelling during part of your stay, dog sitting might be required. We would always discuss this well before you arrive.
  
  OTHER: If there are other special skills you have to offer you can certainly let me know, though the projects listed above are my priorities. Sometimes I'm surprised and delighted by the talents my Workaways bring with them and it's been a great bonus to benefit from them. One year a brilliant & creative Workawayer made me a website for a book project! Another made a drone video of my country property! So if you have something special to offer that you think I would appreciate (having read my host profile) please let me know.
  
  A NOTE ON WORKING OUTDOORS IN CANADA: Please be aware that outdoor work in Canada in the summer can mean dealing with mosquitos and other bugs. And even though Canada is known to have a cold climate, in summer, temperatures can sometimes reach over 30 degrees Celsius. In the spring and fall, it's much cooler and there are far fewer bugs.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  French: Intermediate

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  Accommodation

  In both homes I provide a private room (1 double bed) with a shared bathroom. You have access to the rest of the common areas of the home (kitchen, living room, dining room, laundry). I can only accept two Workaways together if you're a couple (or good friends) and can share a double bed.
  
  Depending when you come, there may be one or two others, besides me, living in the city home. My daughter lives at the country house with our dog (a friendly Huskey-mix named Goose).
  
  I'll provide all meals and/or food supplies. If you're working and staying at the country property you will likely be preparing all your own meals with the food I supply. At the city house, I'll do most of the cooking (unless that's one of the tasks you've taken on). I'm not vegetarian, but don't mind cooking veggie meals. Unfortunately, if you're a strict vegan, it will be difficult to accommodate your needs.
  
  Under certain circumstances, if we agree to a reduced workload (something like 10 -15 hours per week) I could provide accommodation without the meals (or with fewer meals).

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  What else ...

  In your free time you can get downtown from my city house in 30 minutes via bus & metro. There's so much to do in Montreal it's impossible to list everything!
  
  Non-smokers only please.

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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

  Both my properties have strong internet connections.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  If you're travelling in a camper van it can be parked at my country property, no problem. There is less space to have it in the city, but it will depend on the size.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  I could possibly accept workaways with a dog (as we have one too) but that would have to be discussed.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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