Isobel & Dan

Travel information

We are currently

Description

We are Dan and Issy (31 & 26). We've both dreamt of travelling for a long time and now we finally are! Our plan is to spend the next few years travelling around the world; seeing as much as we can and learning as many skills as we can. We want to immerse ourselves in local cultures, meet great people, and do some epic trekking along the way.

We love being outdoors and working on hand-on jobs. Our dream is to one day build our own eco-friendly house and live off the land. Any Workaways that can teach us the skills needed to realise this dream would be invaluable! We can guarantee you'd have two very motivated, hard-working volunteers! We're interested in: eco-building techniques, carpentry/masonry projects, gardening projects, farm work and working with animals, especially horses.

We would relish the opportunity to do as many adventurous things as possible. Be it hiking, sailing, horse-riding, skiing, kayaking, fishing - we're down for anything and everything. We'd love to find a host where doing these activities in our time off is a possibility.

We would really like to be working in a friendly environment and although we will want some time to ourselves it would be lovely to get to know our hosts outside of work - over dinner etc. We’re both easy going open minded people and look forward to making new friends and memories.

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Beginner

More details about my language interests
This workawayer has indicated that they would be interested in sharing their language(s) or learning a new language. You can contact them directly to discuss this.

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Skills and knowledge we'd like to share or learn

We're interested in:  

Animal Care

DIY and building projects

Eco Projects

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Able to teach about:  

Art Projects

More details about your skills

I've been working as a glazier since I was 17 (I am now 31) and during that time have been able to pick up quite a few construction/building skills, including carpentry, masonry and metal work as well as decorating, rendering and the odd bit of minor electrical work. Whilst renovating my own house I've tried my hand at a multitude of different things. I love the satisfaction of a job well done. I find seeing a task through to the end particularly rewarding. I have extensive experience using power tools, happy to work from height, as a team or solo.

I would dare say my expertise is glazing. I've gone from working with double glazing, traditional methods of glazing and mirror processing at the start of my career; to having worked on projects at multiple Cathedrals, Churches and Royal households to repair and conserve centuries old stained glass and leaded lights. I trained for a few years in architectural glass design, and picked up some drawing/painting skill and kiln knowledge (traditional and contemporary) along the way. I have some experience in furniture making and picture framing through my Father. I am pretty much self taught through other skills, but hold myself to a high standard.

Not afraid of a hard days work, and always looking to pick up new skills - especially to do with eco/sustainable building, getting stuck into a project with likeminded people always sounds good to me!


Cheers, Dan

Issy:

I too worked as a glazier, specialising in the conservation of stained-glass windows. I did this for 2 years (which was how I met Dan) and learnt a lot of practical skills along the way. I am happy using power tools and working from height. I really enjoy being active and busy with outdoor, hands-on projects. I am not as confident as Dan with construction jobs, but I am very keen to learn as much as I can and will work very hard to do a job well. I am a good artist; I do a lot of painting and drawing in my spare time, and I would love to help with any artistic/craft jobs.

I absolutely love animals! I have worked a lot with horses, but I would find working in any sort of farming capacity really enjoyable. I have previously spent summers working as a stable hand; one at a horse-trekking centre in Spain and another at an equestrian centre in Italy. As a teenager I had a horse of my own and I learnt to ride as a small child. It has been a few years since I have worked with horses but I am confident around them and very keen to refresh my skills.

UPDATE 18/03/23
We have just spent three weeks at an eco village in Denmark, where we picked up some new skills!

Issy has mastered the art of clay rendering, having been left responsible for the mixing and application of the cob.

Dan spent most of his time working with our host to fit a curved plasterboard ceiling, which was a learning curve (excuse the pun!), dealing with a crazy architectural design and solving the problems that came with it.

UPDATE 20/11/23
We have picked up a new family member! our Incredibly affectionate, and sometimes a rather naughty little pup called Bandit.

Age

27 & 33

What else ...

Dan:
I love the outdoors, walking and mountaineering, and have only recently got into running. I fancy myself as a bit of a fisherman but never have much luck - being by the sea is good enough for me. I do really enjoy traditional pub games - darts, pool, snooker, and any card game. A beer or two with good company, and a good laugh, is always welcome. I like to read, write and draw, the latter two just for myself.

Issy:
Like Dan, I am big on my walking and love being up in the mountains. I have always loved running and have recently gotten into cycling - I am toying with the idea of a triathlon although swimming is not my strong point! I love to draw and paint. I read a lot, and absolutely adore all animals. Also love playing cards!

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies

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  Special dietary requirements