Gordon

Travel information

I am currently

Description

March 2024. I recently fractured my wrist whilst at a Workaway, so for the next few months I will be available only for house/pet sitting or light work/companionship. Thanks!

Hello, my name is Gordon. I am a friendly person with very good manners and a pleasant sense of humour. A reliable and conscientious worker, I can be trusted to do a good job and get the work finished. I have many skills and ideas which I enjoy putting to good use although I would rather leave hard labour and heavy lifting to younger Workawayers! I appreciate nature and tranquillity.

Interests

Languages spoken

English: Fluent
French: Fluent
German: Beginner
Spanish: Beginner

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Animal Care

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Some knowledge of:  

Being an elderly companion

Charity Work

Languages

Art Projects

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Hospitality/Tourism

Helping with Computers/ Internet

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Able to teach about:  

Eco Projects

Gardening

DIY and building projects

Helping around the house

General Maintenance

More details about your skills

Since 2012 I spent the majority of my time looking after my mother, and from March 2018 until January 2021 I was her full-time carer.

I have excellent handyman and gardening skills, augmented by my time working and volunteering for nature conservation charities.

I have renovated two homes in France, including all the plumbing and electrics, and have also worked in Germany and Spain.

Please feel free to browse the information below which is extracted from my CV. I also have a web page from 2011 which contains photographs of some of my work up until that time. Go to https://gordonsgardens.webgarden.com/ and click on 'Gallery' in the top left corner.

2018 -2021 Full-time carer
2015-16, 2017-18 School Caretaker at ACE Schools Plymouth
2006 -08, 2012-16 Self-employed Gardener / Handyman in the UK and Germany
2009 -2011 Gardener / Handyman / Driver in Germany
2008 Builder / Gardener / Security / Driver at private residences in Ireland and France
2002-03 & 2004-06 Nature Conservation Projects Officer for a nature conservation charity
2003 -2004 Gardener / Night Porter at a residential college of spiritualism, Stansted Hall
2000 -2002 Security Guard ILL, Grenoble, France
1987 -2000 Hydrographic Surveyor Royal Navy
1977 -1987 Telephone Engineer British Telecom
1975 -1976 Gas Fitter British Gas
Summer Jobs
2016 Overseas Campsite Courier for Canvas Holidays, Spain
2013 Flexi – Courier for Vacansoleil, France and Spain
2012 Overseas Campsite Courier for Venue Holidays, France
2011 Overseas Campsite Courier for Matthews Holidays, France

Relevant Training

Technical
Gas Installation and plumbing - British Gas - 1976
Telecommunications I & II - British Telecom - 1977 -87

Horticultural
Chainsaw Licence C30 C31 C36 - NPTC / Lantra - 1999
Arboriculture Correspondence Course- Royal Forestry Association - 2002
Environmental Awareness - CIEH - 2002
Tree Surgery Climbing Course - Merrist Wood Agricultural College - 2003
Garden Design - Hill College Cambridge - 2003
Hedge laying - Conservation Volunteers - 2006

Stonework and Walling
Bricklaying - Birmingham Bricklaying School - 2004
Wattle and Daub, Flint Walling - Essex County Council - 2005
Dry Stone Walling - Stroud College / Lantra - 2006

Cycling
Level 2 Certificate Cycle Maintenance - Cycle Systems Newton Abbot - 2021

Miscellaneous
German Intensive and A1 - Volkshochschule, Germany - 2008/9
Emergency First Aid at Work - British Red Cross - 2013
Enhanced DBS Check to work with children - 2017
Control of Legionella - SSG Training Plymouth - 2017
Minibus Driving, including trailers - Dudley Council, Belfast Council - 2004 and 2002

Driving Licence B1E, C1E, F -Tractor, K, L, N.

Voluntary work:
Conservation Volunteers Northern Ireland – 6 months
Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust – 6 weeks
RSPB Symonds Yat Peregrine protection – 2 weeks

Hobbies
Cycling, running, gardening, boating.
Member of Audax long distance cycling club

Age

65

What else ...

I worked at a secondary school as recently as 2018, which required having an enhanced DBS check. I also possess a UK police check certificate from November 2021.
I enjoy creating wildlife areas in gardens, especially ponds and associated habitats.
I enjoy cycling, especially when the weather is nice and there is no traffic! I have been to Holland and Spain on cycling holidays.
Looking after my mother lead to an appreciation of a cup of tea and a piece of cake, and to the benefits of a gentler pace of life.
Due to sinus problems, I can't sleep in a bedroom where the temperature drops below 10 degrees C, and I am beyond the age where I want to share a bedroom with a stranger!

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
  Vegetarian