Erin & Rob

United Kingdom
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Reply rate
100.0 %
Travel information
We are currently
At home
Activities we are interested in:
We are interested in renovations, farm work, being outdoors, community, music, running and swimming, hiking,
Description
We are a family of 5 who like to do things differently and explore alternative options in whatever we're doing. We have 3 'kids' - 2 boys of 18 and 16 and a 10 year old daughter. 6 years ago we took our kids out if school for the summer term and headed off on a road trip around western Europe enjoying workaway experiences in Spain, Italy and Germany and visited friends and family along the way. On our return we set our sights on 2025 (the year our boys take GCSEs and A levels) as the next time we could get creative with the summer and look into workaways again We’re more than happy to get stuck in with just about anything and the kids are at an age where they can contribute too. We love being practical and creative and working together with others to achieve common goals.
Interests
Writing
Sailing / Boating
Self development
Sustainability
Plant care
Photography
Performing arts
Outdoor activities
Nature
Music
Mountain
Hiking
Gardening
Fitness
Farming
Events & social
Drawing & painting
Dancing
DIY & crafts
Cycling
Culture
Charity work
Carpentry
Books
Beach
Art & design
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
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
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Animal Care
Hospitality/Tourism
Charity Work
Art Projects
House sitting
Able to teach about:
Babysitting and creative play
Helping around the house
More details about your skills
Rob (dad) works as an Occupational Therapist with children experiencing mental health, neurodevelopmental and/or sensory processing issues. He is also a musician and an artist and is creative in everything he does including DIY!
Erin (mum) is officially PA to Rob, but also to the rest of the family, logistically juggling everyone's interests and activities. I'm practically minded, a good multi-tasker, and love to get my teeth into projects in and out of doors. I completed a short course on permaculture some time ago and would love to build on that. I keep bees as a hobby and enjoy learning more about sustainability, and growing food.
Reuben is brilliant with wood and things that need fixing. He is planning to apply for the British Marines in 2026, loves hiking and mountains and enjoys a bit of drumming and piano to de-stress!
Asher is an artist, loves music, sings, enjoys philosophising and is an all round sociable and pleasant chap to be around!
Lauren loves to play, write, perform and have fun - she's 10!
Age
49 & 50
What else ...
We loved our trip around Europe in 2019 and gained experience in renovating a clay house, erecting cow and sheep fences and other general farm work. We worked on a children's language camp on an organic farm in Italy helping with workshops and taking care of the animals and the property. And we helped a family in their garden in Northern Spain. We were so blessed by how warmly we were treated by all our hosts and by the work we contributed and the sense of satisfaction from working with others. We also loved seeing our kids grow in the context of meeting new people and learning new skills. This year we have less time than anticipated to travel as our boys in particular have so many different things they'd like to do with their long summer holiday. So we are looking for just one or 2 workaways some time in August.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  Rob and Lauren can react to dust and animal hair (cats, horses etc), but can take antihistamine
- Special dietary requirements
  No

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25 Aug 2025

Left by host (Help us out with our ...) for Workawayer ()

I cannot emphasise enough just how determined this family were!

Erin, Rob, Reuben, Asher, Ruby and Lauren stayed with us during the absolute toughest time of the year - 40 degree heat, swarms of flies, tons of work! But they met the challenge with grit and some serious willpower.

I'm a bit in awe of their bravery coming here and sticking it out… read more under such challenging circumstances, but stick it out they did - with bells on. Rob took on two mature trees that needed removing - pitting his will against root and earth and mostly winning! I'm not sure I've ever seen a man sweat so much. Erin was focussed and organised - making sure everyone was happy, fed and working whilst harvesting and sorting almonds at the same time - I believe she held the whole thing up with her indomitable spirit which she has obviously passed on to Reuben, Asher and Lauren.

Reuben strimmed like he was more machine than man - clearing massive areas of brush and fire-risk grass: unceasing, seemingly never tiring. He was a fair old sight to see wandering around the finca wrapped head to toe in all the textiles he could muster to protect against the mozzies, even in the sweltering temperatures. Reuben also managed to fix my strimmer where I had failed and sharpened our machete so effectively I may never let anyone near it again!

Asher and Ruby helped to clear our backlog of waste branches to be chipped and cleared water shoots from the big olives. They were a solid presence, always offering positivity.

Lauren was our animal whisperer - she helped me with feeding the goats and showed them great kindness. Of all of the family, i think it was hardest for Lauren (being only 10) -but after struggling for a day or two, she emerged a strong and resilient character, always ready for a chat or a pet of an animal.

We had a few occasions of all socialising together and it was always enriching. Their way of supporting each other through tough times was inspiring and lovely to see, and they worked together to get through something that may well have broken a lesser family. It's clear that they'll all go on to great things supported by such resilient and warm parents.

It was a real joy to meet and spend time with the Kirkwoods,and we hope to share food, songs and laughter with them again at some point in our futures.

Go well family and thanks for everything! x

(Excellent )

17 Aug 2025

Left by Workawayer () for host (Help us out with our ...)

Selina, Rob and their boys are a brilliant, resilient, inspiring and fun family. Their workaway profile is a great reflection of life on their small holding and the only real challenge for us (coming from England) was the heat whilst we were there.

We were in good communication before heading to Spain and Selina and Rob were brave enough to host… read more

(Excellent )

17 Aug 2025

Left by Workawayer () for host (Participate in everyday life ...)

This is a unique place in a special setting, which was a wonderful interlude in our 4 weeks travelling with workaways in Europe.

We are a family of 5 which gave us a very different experience to someone spending time there alone (I would love to go on my own in the future!). Being the summer holidays there were quite a few other families there… read more and with children of 18 ,16 and 10 we were all able to be involved in the services and in the work of the community.

The other advantage for us of it being quite busy (around 50 people), was that there were a number of people who were generously willing and able to speak with us in English (special thank you to Shiva) and sometimes translate parts of the services. As other workawayers have said - the better your understanding of French, the more you will be able to engage in the 4 services each day, and the communal mealtimes (which are the most social part of the day).

Coming from a more charismatic Christian background the rhythm of the day with 4 calls to prayer was personally really refreshing. The simple nature of the songs and the repetitive nature of the liturgy gave us opportunity for personal reflection, worship and bible reading which was valuable to each of us in different ways. Our youngest daughter in particular enjoyed the quiet time with candles and music after the last prayers of the day.

We didn’t get to meet Genevieve and only had a short time with Benoit as they were away, but the other priest who came was gentle and kind and included our daughter, along with other children, in some parts of the service.

The work in the mornings was varied from sorting lavender to chopping wood to cooking and then there are some roles which people have for the week like preparing rooms, toilet cleaning, watering the gardens and so on.

Although the afternoons are free, they can feel quite short as sometimes we didn’t finish lunch until 3pm and the next service is at 6.30pm, but there was still time to walk down to the river for a swim (about 30-40mins each way) or up to the local touristy village (1hr each way). Or just to be quiet in the village.

The talent show on one of the evenings (again because there were lots of people there in the summer) was a relaxed, fun, warm and connecting time of sharing and appreciating many beautiful talents among the community (not obligatory!).

We'd definitely recommend using the time to go tech free if you can.

Take mozi spray in summer and extra warm stuff in winter.

If you are after a quiet time then maybe avoid going in the holiday months, but if you like to be social then the summer is great.

(Excellent )

29 Jul 2025

Left by host (Help needed in the Alps, ...) for Workawayer ()

An extraordinary experience with a family full of energy, generosity, and heart.

We had the privilege of hosting Erin, Lauren, Ruben, Asher, and Rob, and from the very beginning it was clear that this would be a special experience. They brought such positive energy, enthusiasm, and a rare willingness to help.
In this review, I’ll mention just a… read more

(Excellent )

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25 Aug 2025

Left by host (Help us out with our ...) for Workawayer ()

(Excellent)

17 Aug 2025

Left by Workawayer () for host (Help us out with our ...)

(Excellent)

17 Aug 2025

Left by Workawayer () for host (Participate in everyday life ...)

(Excellent)

29 Jul 2025

Left by host (Help needed in the Alps, ...) for Workawayer ()

(Excellent)

25 Jun 2019

Left by host (Help needed with an organic ...) for Workawayer ()

We had a great ten days with the Kirkwoods who got stuck in to the hard work of the summer camp and all that that entails. They were happy to do all kinds of chores and performed everything well and with a smile. The children were a delight and only enhanced the summer camp experience for others. We particularly enjoyed Rob's music workshop and… read more

(Excellent)

8 May 2019

Left by host for Workawayer ()

Erin, Rob and their kids were our first workaway family. What a wonderful experience! From the first contact we could tell they were going to fit right in. They were so hard working even though Galicia showed them why it's known as 'Green Spain' by subjecting them to torrential rain on and off most days. They worked hard in their waterproofs in… read more

(Excellent)

25 Apr 2019

Left by Workawayer () for host (Help a family in Galicia with ...)

This was our first workaway experience and it set us off to a really positive start! Moira, Robin and their 2 kids were warm and welcoming from our first video chat with them until they saw us off at the end of the week. They had thought carefully about work that could involve our whole family and were laid back and flexible about when and how the… read more

(Excellent)

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