Gavin
& Inese

United Kingdom & Latvia
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Travel information
We are currently
Travelling
Description
We are a “young” middle-aged couple,😜

Gavin, 44, from Wales
Inese, 40ish 🤫 from Latvia

We are fun, easy-going and motivated people who enjoy a challenge. We consider ourselves to be very capable and dependable, and we like to see projects through to the end.

We are slow travellers and prefer to spend longer in special places rather than trying to see everything and constantly being on the road. We also find it very rewarding to help with some eco projects while travelling

We have just re-joined the Workaway community after five years away. Since then we have, however, still been volunteering directly with Projects in Malaysia, Thailand and, currently, Nicaragua.

(Please note that some of the older reviews on here talk about myself Gavin and my ex partner. Over time these will be replaced with new reviews that Inese and I are hoping to receive)
Interests
Yoga / Wellness
Van life
Technology
Self development
Sustainability
Nature
Outdoor activities
Mountain
Hiking
Gardening
Dancing
DIY & crafts
Cooking & food
Carpentry
Camping
Beach
Art & design
Architecture
Animals
Adventure sports
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Latvian (Lettish): Fluent
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:
Charity Work
Art Projects
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Helping around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
Helping with Computers/ Internet
House sitting
Able to teach about:
Teaching
More details about your skills
GAVIN

A very hands-on, practical-minded person with wide-ranging engineering experience.

I am always happy to learn new skills and am a general all-around handyman.

I am a people person and enjoy talking, telling stories and chatting with just about anyone 😁

Qualified Electrician with industrial, commercial, and domestic experience.

Qualifications in locksmithing, electronic security, toolmaking, welding, fabrication, soldering, hydraulics, pneumatics, plumbing (copper and plastic), particularly solar hot water systems.

Experience designing, installing, and maintaining off-grid renewable energy systems, photovoltaic, small wind turbines and microhydro.

Carpentry and building skills

Basic vehicle servicing and maintenance experience, including green vehicle fuel conversions, gasoline to LPG and diesel to waste vegetable oil.

Good understanding and experience with computer software, hardware and electronic control systems.

20 years of on and off-road driving experience, including Mud, sand, water crossing and self-recovery. Car, 4x4, van, motorbike and some plant equipment. Qualified (MEWP) cherry picker operator.

Reasonably experienced horse rider, good swimmer, fit and healthy with no medical conditions.

I have basic first-aid knowledge.

I am also a good cook and have done many cookery courses during my travels in Thailand, Malaysia, India and Indonesia

INTERESTS:-
*fixing, modifying and inventing
*world travel 🌍
*outdoors activities
*cooking and eating delicious food 🍜
*4x4 off-road driving off🚙
*camping 🏕️
*Hiking 🥾
*Wildlife photography 📸
*Swimming and snorkelling 🐠
*YOGA 🧘

INESE

A very creative person with a love of nature, art & beauty. Never happier than when I am making or repairing something or arranging flowers to make the place beautiful

A very keen eye for detail noticing the things that most people miss or overlook.

I like to work in the garden and have a keen interest in permaculture. I grew up on an almost organic farm in Latvia, and my interest in gardening and organic food has come directly from my childhood.

Environmental experience. Working in paid and volunteer positions in a local not-for-profit environment centre

Experience in hospitality working at a world-renowned hotel chain in the food and beverage department, providing a high level of service and adhering to strict food hygiene standards.

Experience in sales and event organisation - working in a top Swedish bank for more than 20 years, organising events and providing a first-class service for bank clients.

I have a full European driving licence and can drive manual and automatic cars and vans.

INTERESTS:-
*Travelling the world 🌍
*Gardening & permaculture
*Foraging for wild foods and mushrooms
*Creative arts making - knitting, sewing, painting 🎨 flower arranging 💐
*Haircutting (trained to Level 2) 💇
*Environment and conservation projects
*Cooking and eating delicious food 🍜
*Well-being - YOGA 🧘 , meditation, natural healing
*Making natural beauty products
*Swimming & snorkeling 🐠
*Learning new skills and learning about other cultures
*Dancing 💃

We both recently qualified as newly trained Yoga 🧘 instructors after completing our 200-hour Yoga teacher training in Bali. Currently, we only teach basic classes for free or donations at the places we are working or staying, but we hope to gain more experience and confidence through practice.

We also house and pet sit while we travel and have much experience and many references from past placements. We were members of www.trustedhousesitters.com

We are Airbnb 'SUPER HOSTS' after renting our apartment for the last 9 years whenever we are travelling and receiving excellent reviews and ratings. You can see our place and reviews here
http://abnb.me/EVmg/ZkO85CeJqC
Age
45 & 48
What else ...
We can provide masses of references and testimonials from past landlords, current tenants, current jobs, past Workaway placements, house pet sitting and Airbnb guests
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements

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31 May 2025

Left by host (Join our community in the ...) for Workawayer ()

I wished they could have stayed longer! I Love these two travellers. We started with building an antique Balinese structure and Gavin and Inese were working very well together with our gardener. After this job they were working in the garden and as Gavin has a lot of experience with electrical work he was also involved in solving some of our… read more

(Excellent )

16 Apr 2025

Left by Workawayer () for host (Immerse yourself in the ...)

What an amazing opportunity we were given to stay and volunteer at this beautiful Lodge.
We initially agreed to stay 4 weeks but ended up staying 10, and that speaks volumes, I think.
The Lodge and surrounding area gardens and beach views are all incredible.
The staff are very friendly and professional and a joy to be around.
Drake Bay is quite… read more

(Excellent )

3 Apr 2025

Left by host (Be part of our conscious ...) for Workawayer ()

Excellent volunteers. Anyone would be lucky to have them pass your way.
Too many jobs were accomplished to list, from roof repair to flooring installation. Top to bottom!
Wishing them well in their travels ~
Thank you Gavin and Inese 💚

(Excellent )

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31 May 2025

Left by host (Join our community in the ...) for Workawayer ()

(Excellent)

16 Apr 2025

Left by Workawayer () for host (Immerse yourself in the ...)

(Excellent)

3 Apr 2025

Left by host (Be part of our conscious ...) for Workawayer ()

(Excellent)

13 Jan 2016

Left by host for Workawayer ()

Gavin and Michelle came like two positive helping angels to us and to our 9 horses. They brought with them a smell and taste of Asia in form of exotic food and amazing stories about kangaroos and places very different to here. It was absolutely amazing to have these two visiting. The plan of building an outdoor shed made of natural materials… read more

(Excellent)

3 Jan 2016

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join a began artfarm with 9 ...)

We stayed here for two weeks in December 2015. It was an amazing experience and we will never forget the wonderful time we had there. We were lucky enough to see the northern lights on two occasions and nearly every morning we had a bright pink sunrise that was reflected on the mountains opposite. In the nights during winter every thing glitters… read more with ice, one of the most beautiful things we have ever seen.
It is an 18th century farm set in a stunning valley with a river running through it. Tina is a working artist and also has paying guests who come to experience this kind of life. Her art is very unique and reflects the connection between people, horses and the landscape. She has a herd of 9 horses whom live as natural a life as possible. Tina is one of the most dedicated horse owners i have ever met. The horses are her children and the care and love she gives them shines through in their wonderful temperaments.
You will be helping with their care to enable Tina to have time to play with them, trim their hooves and do her art which is a valuable form of income for her. You might want to consider going as a working student where you pay a small fee and Tina will then take the time to show you how she rides and plays with the herd using the 'being with horses' way. Depending on the season you will be helping with many other tasks that need doing. You will always be clearing the track of manure and filling the haynets at the various feed stations around the farm. We helped build a shelter and get the yurt ready for a guest. Everyone takes it in turns to do the house work and make food. I have to say this was the hardest workaway i have ever done and we did alot more hours than the recommended five hours a day, five days a week. It would have been nice to have more free time to explore but when you work with animals you cant stick to a schedule. In fairness there was alot to get done on a time frame, the shelter and yurt had to be finished so maybe this is not always the case. We didnt really mind as the work was very varied and interesting and Tina was always grateful and worked twice as hard herself.
I have to say the food provided by Tina was absolutely wonderful!!! Very plentyful and lots of good quality vegan ingredients. Meal times were a real highlight!!
Be prepared for how beautiful the farm is but also that it has quite basic facilities, this is an 18th century ecological farm and you will be using an outdoor compost toilet (quite an experience when its -18 degrees). The circus wagon was very warm and cosy but the other room was rather cold. We didnt mind at all as we enjoy living basically and experiencing this kind of life but for some people it might come as a bit of a shock.
Tina is a really wonderful and interesting person. She has led an amazing life. She is a great listener and has a great outlook on life. She always makes time for you to join her daily meditation and yoga sessions. We would sometimes watch video or just chat or read. Her home is stunning and very cosy. The two enormous cats Meena and Medina were another highlight of our stay, they are just gorgeous!
I cant think of a better way to experience norway. We wish Tina all the best with her projects and hope that this place keeps going from strength to strength. Thank you Tina for sharing your special life and horses with us.

(Excellent)

7 Sep 2015

Left by host for Workawayer ()

So fortuitous to have Michelle and Gavin travel this direction! Both are insightful, considerate, open minded, well travelled and extremely insightful. It was a pleasure to host them and I enjoyed their company 100%. Achievements include: getting the hot water solar system to work for the hut, providing hot water during mid day to my kitchen,… read more

(Excellent)

6 Sep 2015

Left by Workawayer () for host (Help work on Eco project in ...)

We just spent two wonderful weeks at Tina's place. Tina is an amazing person and has made a wonderful home in the rainforest. She is a true strong independent woman and has many talents. Like all the hosts we have had she was so kind and generous to us and even gave us food for our camper trip when we left.
The Daintree is just unreal and Tina… read more

(Excellent)

17 Aug 2015

Left by Workawayer () for host (Home and garden help on the ...)

Before I say anything Len and Julia are the ULTIMATE workaway hosts. They could write the handbook on 'how to please your workawayer'. Considering we started corresponding in May and it is now August and all the places we went in between its a miracle we ever got here. To be honest with only three months in Australia we nearly didnt but due to Len… read more

(Excellent)

17 Aug 2015

Left by host for Workawayer ()

WOW, fantastic, sensational, resourceful, inquiring, witty, intelligent, skilful and so so much more. We absolutely LOVED having them here with us.

Michelle & Gavin are an incredible couple. They immediately settled in as part of the family here. Both have a lovely gentle, warm manner that endears them to all that they meet. There was nothing… read more

(Excellent)

5 Aug 2015

Left by host for Workawayer ()

Gavin and Michelle were the most wonderful people. They are funny, intelligent and very hard working couple. The time they spent at my home was such a lovely experience. They really made a wonderful difference to my home environment through shear hard work. They were very accommodating to my needs and I recommend them to other hosts without… read more

(Excellent)

3 Aug 2015

Left by Workawayer () for host (Renovation help in Darwin, ...)

This was a really great workaway. Helen is a very kind person and it was a pleasure to spend time with her and her son. Helen's home is lovely and the work was interesting and easy. Its an ideal base to explore Darwin and surrounding area. We wish Helen all the best with her future projects and hope to meet again some day.

(Excellent)

27 Jul 2015

Left by host (Volunteer to help orphaned or ...) for Workawayer ()

Gavin and Michelle,
Wow what to say? What a wonderful couple. Hard working ,caring, honest and lots of fun! We completed so many projects . They never once complained about anything and let me tell you the heat can be trying even for us locals. They were always excited to tackle any job ask of them. Michelle raked the joeys cage so well even the… read more

(Excellent)

23 Jul 2015

Left by Workawayer () for host (Volunteer to help orphaned or ...)

Just left Nina's and miss the place already. If you are lucky enough to stay here you will have the experience of a lifetime. The animals are very special and so is Nina. You will feel very welcome in her home and will laugh a lot. The work is varied and the food is great. You may even get to meet long time volunteer Ariane who is wonderful… read more

(Excellent)

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