Francesca

United Kingdom
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
At home
My next destination:
Scotland, United Kingdom
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Description
Hello :)

I am 20 years old, studying Geography at the University of Edinburgh. I took a gap year beforehand, when I spent 7 months working in both retail and hospitality (housekeeping) in my hometown in Perthshire, Scotland.

Also during my gap year, I used Workaway for the first time! I went to Germany for over 3 weeks and volunteered with 4 alpacas, which I loved and would like to work with animals again! The couple I stayed with ran alpaca treks with groups, which I assisted, despite not speaking much German! They also ran a small hostel, which I cleaned each day. I enjoyed this because I met people from a range of countries, including Iran and Ukraine.

During summer 2023, I spent 6 weeks staying with a couple in Upper Austria. I really enjoyed it and the work was very varied. I helped to look after their goats, sheep and donkeys, and also helped with woodwork to build a new patio. This included going on 20km walks with the donkeys over the hills, which was an amazing experience!

I love to meet new people from different cultures, travelling to less well known areas and not just the usual "tourist destinations", and I hope that Workaway will help to continue to fulfill that.

I volunteered for over a year with the Scottish Wildlife Trust, where I had a range of duties including interacting with visitors, creating resources for children and filling up bird feeders. The main joy of being there was that between March and August, I was able to view osprey chicks, one of the only places in the UK where it is possible!

I love animals in general and cared for my rabbit named Bertie (in my profile picture!) for 8 years. For someone so small he was quite a character and even came on holidays with us!

I enjoy music, and have played the saxophone for 8 years. After joining university, I joined a big wind band, and am going on a tour to York in England in early June.

If you have any questions please let me know and we can arrange a Skype or WhatsApp chat.
Interests
Winter sports
Sustainability
Photography
Pets
Nature
Music
Movies & TV
Mountain
Culture
Cooking & food
Charity work
Books
Beach
Animals
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
More details about my language interests
I would love to learn another language.
Find a language buddy
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Languages
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Babysitting and creative play
Some knowledge of:
Hospitality/Tourism
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Animal Care
Charity Work
Helping around the house
More details about your skills
- Working in housekeeping at a world renowned resort hotel has taught me how to clean effectively and time efficiently to a high standard and attention to detail. I am happy to assist with household chores.

- Working within a close-knit team in a local delicatessen specialising in Scottish produce, I have learned that flexibility is key. My role is very varied, including everything from minding the till to restocking the shop floor, serving and advising customers according to their tastes and making takeaway coffees. It was particularly busy around Christmas, demonstrating that I can handle pressure and thinking on my feet! It has stressed the importance to me of shopping local, supporting local businesses.

- I have a passion for photography, particularly wildlife photography. I have enclosed a few of my favourites in my gallery. I'd be delighted to be your resident wildlife photographer!

- I enjoy cooking, but especially baking and would be happy to help out in the kitchen. I'm also a good washer-upper! :)

- I have played the saxophone for many years, both solo and within jazz bands.

- I am calm, caring and conscientious, working well within a team as well as individually.

- I have passed my driving test.
Age
20
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  I am not allergic to anything.
- Special dietary requirements
  I have no specific dietary requirements.

Feedback

20 Jul 2023

Left by host (Help us at our house by the ...) for Workawayer (Francesca)

We really enjoyed the time with Francesca. She was an asset to our household. Always helpful and friendly. Francesca is always welcome back with us. We can recommend her to every host. We wish her al the best.

(Excellent )

11 May 2022

Left by Workawayer (Francesca) for host (Help with taking care of our ...)

I spent 3 weeks with Andi and Linda for my first Workaway experience. They were very kind and patient when teaching me what to do and welcomed me into their home. They introduced me to German cuisine which I enjoyed and let me cook and use their kitchen like it was my own. Andi also took me out hiking in Boppard one weekend and taught me about the… read more local area.

I already miss Nelson, Alfie, Eumel, Charlie, Feli, Sam and Emma! They are all friendly and Feli and Sam are always happy for cuddles. The alpacas have their own individual characters and are happy for you to just stand near and watch them!

The work was very easy. Mostly cleaning up the alpacas' pasture, refilling water and hay. When the weather was nice, I would help take them up the hill to another pasture and return them to their home at the end of the day. I also assisted Linda a lot on the alpaca treks, which was a lot of fun, and meant I could meet lots of people. I would often go up a bit earlier and halter them before Linda and the guests arrived. Since I was there over Easter weekend, I had the opportunity to go with Linda and the alpacas to a special "Easter alpaca trekking event" to a restaurant in a forest 30 minutes away, where we did about 8 laps with the alpacas and groups.

I also cleaned in the small hostel which took less than an hour. This involved putting the washing on and laying out fresh sheets and towels on the beds, cleaning the bathroom, taking out the bins in the kitchen and hoovering.

Then you had the rest of the day to travel and visit all the beautiful towns on the edge of the Rhine. It was only a five minute walk to the train station. Bad Salzig is in a very pretty area of Germany, with plenty to see and do, including castles dotted all around on the hills! It was only a 5 minute train ride to the bigger town of Boppard and 20 minutes to the city of Koblenz. It was also easy to explore the Moselle valley. It is easy to get to bigger cities like Frankfurt, Bonn and Cologne if you wanted, being on the main train route between Cologne and Mainz. It is about an hour and a half train ride from Frankfurt airport.

There were constantly people coming in and out of the hostel of many nationalities, which was really interesting, and some who were staying there for longer periods of time, who were lovely and I could always chat to them.

All in all, it was a perfect first Workaway and I would love to return at some point. I would highly recommend Linda, Andi and their wonderful animals. Thank you very much for your generous hospitality and the opportunity to volunteer with you!

(Excellent )

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