Profile information
Travel information
I am currently
At home
Activities i am interested in:
I have returned from Spain, as of the 15th of April 2025, and am looking to do some Workaways in Victoria and Southern NSW.
Description
A retired educator, with 20 years teaching building and construction to the pre- apprenticeship level in Australia. As a DIY Handyman, I have bought, renovated, and sold 13 houses in the past 33 years. I love to travel, and have a self built campervan at home in Australia. Though I own my own house, I am rarely at home. During lockdown, over 2 years I circumnavigated Australia, some 25,000 kilometres, in my van with my cat, Hagen. I also love to laugh, meet new people, and am happy to help. Since arriving in Europe in May 2022, I have visited Spain, Portugal, France, England, Scotland, Wales, Belgium, Nederlands, Germany, Denmark, and Luxembourg. I had a car to help get me around. I am very healthy, non-smoker. Loving the diversity of wines in Spain and Portugal. I have returned to Spain 6 times since 2016. I am currently back in Australia due to Shengen rules. I have completed Workaways in Townsville, Magnetic Island, Crabbes Creek, Goonengerry, Woy Woy, Sutton Forest, Nar Nar Goon North and Mount Duneed. I have recently bought a new home in Victoria, Australia, to be closer to my family. In 2025 I returned to Spain to complete a kitchen building project in Almoradi, and complete a new project in Galapagar, near Madrid, creating a plunge pool. I am back in Australia again for the rest of 2025 (I think). I have a large range of tools that I bring with me (in Australia) to use if the host can not provide them.
I have done a bit of house sitting in Spain, and pet sitting in both countries. It is something I have agreed to do, but it can be a bit boring if there are no projects to keep me occupied.
Interests
LGBTQ
Cycling
Animals
Movies & TV
Sustainability
Van life
Self development
Photography
Hiking
DIY & crafts
Carpentry
Camping
Books
Architecture
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: BeginnerMore details about my language interests
A teacher ( not of languages) for 20 years, I speak English. I have a smattering of Spanish, enough to make myself understood over 6 Caminos. I would like to improve my Spanish.
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
Some knowledge of:
Eco Projects
Life at a Farmstay
Able to teach about:
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Helping around the house
Teaching
More details about your skills
Taught building and construction, including carpentry, painting and tiling. Background is in engineering, so taught and examined students in pre- apprenticeship training to year 12 level. As a DIY renovator, I have skills in all aspects of house renovations. As an Australian I speak mainly English, with a smattering of conversational Spanish.
Age
73
What else ...
I am a walker / hiker with special interest in Spain's Caminos. I completed my 6th Camino in late March, 2025. I have hiked with the Runcorn Ramblers and climbed Ben Nevis in Scotland. I have completed 8 hikes in the Sierras north of Madrid. I am capable of working alone, and also enjoy teamwork. Love talking about, and consuming local wines. I have completed Workaways in Alella near Barcelona, Logrono, Barcenilla in northern Cantabria, Galapagar near Madrid, Vejer de la Frontera in Cadiż, Almoradi near Alicante, and again in Madrid.
I am a retired building and construction educator from Australia. My work has included carpentry, construction, plastering, plumbing, painting and landscaping, to name a variety of skills. I also spent 40 days repairing a flood damaged farm house in Tabbimoble, south of Lismore, Australia. Since my return in December 2023, I have completed 8 Workaways on the East Coast of Australia in Queensland, NSW and Victoria.
Some more information
Smoker
Driver's licence
Allergies
No allergiesSpecial dietary requirements
No special dietary requirements
Feedback
The stay was interrupted by the host holidaying on the Gold Coast for 10 days, my own appointments and interruptions, and the proximity of my own house (11 kilometres away).
I definitely not choose a… read more
the best of the Island is that it is 75% National Park. Lots of hiking trails.
The cons are all related to cost. Food and drink are overly expensive. There are limited shopping places, and help with technology is non existent.
The Workaway was good. Plenty to do. They have many projects either under way or… read more
A lot of the materials were carted up a very steep drive.
The projects were varied and fun. My host was excellent. She made me feel immediately comfortable in the house, even assisting with the work when she could. The environment in and around Woy Woy is… read more
Photos
Friends
Feedback
The stay was interrupted by the host holidaying on the Gold Coast for 10 days, my own appointments and interruptions, and the proximity of my own house (11 kilometres away).
I definitely not choose a… read more
the best of the Island is that it is 75% National Park. Lots of hiking trails.
The cons are all related to cost. Food and drink are overly expensive. There are limited shopping places, and help with technology is non existent.
The Workaway was good. Plenty to do. They have many projects either under way or… read more
A lot of the materials were carted up a very steep drive.
The projects were varied and fun. My host was excellent. She made me feel immediately comfortable in the house, even assisting with the work when she could. The environment in and around Woy Woy is… read more
The stay was cut short to a week due to constant inclement weather, the rain hindering the repair and painting of external doors and window frames. May is not the time to be in the Southern Highlands is you need to work outside.
Tom and El are very much down to earth in their approach to life,… read more
Jude was an excellent, down to earth host, with an eclectic group of friends, helpers and Workaways. If you like the mountains, excellent walks, waterfalls, etc. this is the place to… read more
Andrew is very nice person, and we enjoyed food and drinks together.
Andrew is well organised, was always doing something, when we wanted and it been done in a blink of the eye.
Andrew need going back to Australia and promised us to come back as soon as… read more
Having never met a Dutch person before, I was very pleased with their friendliness, willness to help, and generally being fun to be around.
Yael is a fantastic cook.
I also managed day trips to a part of Spain I had never been to before. The coastal towns and villages were exceptionally good to… read more
Though very much off-the-grid, with solar power, tank and bore water, no actual address, etc, the challenges this old, self built casa created were both quite challenging and yet exciting… read more
He helped us out for 5 months…. And during that time transformed the house; stairs, doors, plumbing… read more
I had the opportunity to hike in the mountains north of Madrid. Her entire group of friends made me feel extremely welcome.
