Ingrid

Canada
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Profile information

Reply rate

100.0 %
Travel information

I am currently

At home

Activities i am interested in:

I currently live in Ottawa, Canada.
Description

Hi, I am a fun-loving, active, energetic traveller who loves people, nature, animals, hiking and travel. As a recently retired teacher, I have 30 years of experience working with youth, parents and communities to help them thrive and progress, to support sport/club activities and to build leadership and stronger relationships, all with a lot of patience and humour. I've lived and worked multiple times in Africa, Europe and across Canada. I believe that the more connected we all are in the world, the better. I am organized, get along with all kinds of people, am a good team player and work hard.

Any experiences where I can meet and connect with local people and other travellers, remain active, learn, laugh and enjoy and work in nature, including animal care are a great fit for me ... whether its gardening, home cleaning or child/pet care or language learning and building. I am a quick learner. Please read my reviews.
Interests

History

Plant care

Water sports

Sustainability

Languages

Politics / Social justice

Technology

Yoga / Wellness

Winter sports

Team sports

Pets

Outdoor activities

Nature

Mountain

Hiking

Gardening

Fitness

Farming

Events & social

DIY & crafts

Cycling

Culture

Charity work

Beach

Cooking & food

Carpentry

Books

Animals
Languages

Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent

More details about my language interests
I am learning Spanish and love opportunities to work on it. I am a qualified French teacher.

Find a language partner
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:

Creative DIY projects

Eco Projects

Light gardening

Babysitting and creative play

Being an elderly companion

Art Projects

Some knowledge of:

Life at a Farmstay

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping around the house

Light maintenance

Helping with Computers/ Internet

Charity Work

Animal Care

Hospitality/Tourism

House & pet sitting

Able to teach about:

Teaching

Languages
More details about your skills

I have been a teacher and community volunteer for over three decades. I have mainly taught mathematics, science, physical education, and French. I have taught in three Canadian provinces, two African countries and in the Netherlands. Along with my two children, now 25 and 26, I have travelled and taught extensively throughout Europe and Africa.

I consider myself handy in the garden and have created many around the homes where I have lived. I pride myself on leaving the places I have lived in better condition than when I arrived. At workaways, I have happily worked in hostels cleaning and cooking and on farms doing animal care, haying, digging, tree and bush maintenance and cultivation work. I love meeting others and get along easily with people of all ages and learning from them.

I am a very fit and active person. I enjoy hiking (especially the Camino), running and weight training. I especially enjoy nature and have explored extensively throughout Europe, Africa and Canada. Over my career I have coached a variety of teams in sports such as volleyball, kayaking and cross country running.

I am a very flexible, caring and energetic person who is always seeking out new adventures. My ability to adapt to new situations and surroundings has allowed me to experience a multitude of opportunities. My core values include building strong personal relationships, environmental sustainability, helping others and building stronger communities. These values have opened my life to new situations where I can use my experiences to learn new things and create new and lasting connections.

I follow direction well and always go beyond what is required.

I absolutely love animals, of all kinds.
Age

58
What else ...

I love to hike, run, kayak,canoe, lift weights, cycle, do yoga and taichi, cook and look after animals. I like to have fun but need quiet times too. I dont need a lot to entertain me.
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
  No
- Special dietary requirements
  No

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12 May 2026

Left by host (Join our chill, bilingual, ...) for Workawayer ()

Ingrid was the most perfect first Work Awayer. She felt like a long time friend coming to stay to lend a hand.

The weather changed and rain came in meaning my original painting plan couldn't go ahead. Then my husband got really sick with his hay fever changing our usual routine. On top of this my lead up to Ingrid's stay was so busy meant I … read more didn't have a plan B. But Ingrid didn't feel phased, she rolled her sleeves up and got stuck in, not effected by the change of plans and my uncertainty of what to do in the face of all the moving parts.

We decided to do a big clean of the house, patio, garage and balconies to help remove the accumulated pollen. She also worked her magic on my plants, cleaning them up and watering them. Then we started on little jobs such as helped measure curtains, fixed a cupboard handle, cut up the biggest squash we'd had on the counter since it was given to us months ago, she cooked up a storm in the kitchen, looked at my storage problems to brain storm ideas and took it upon her self to take on the task of de-lime scaled a tap that now works like new (and taught me what worked best)! She was also a little dish washer fairy who'd load and unload the dishwasher each day.

Even just having her energy around meant I got bits done like making a list for new volunteers that come, baking, cleaning the front of the house and just made me feel invigorated again to get stuff done.

I thoroughly enjoyed our chats, I feel like we could explore all sorts of topics and ideas with a shared curiosity about the world. Even just chatting I've learned so much and picked up tips.

Ingrid seamlessly joined in all the plans we had on during her stay, including a language exchange my friend just started, which worked great that Ingrid speaks French. All our friends also enjoyed her company and she's already been asked if she can come back to help my friend/neighbour!

I loved her ability to join into fun, but also enjoy her own time. She pottered about and went off exploring on her own too. It's a joy hosting someone who can make themself at home.

I would host Ingrid again and again! She's a joy and so easy to have around. She was respectful, kind, thoughtful, caring, generous, honest, open, energetic, enthusiastic and all the positivity. Please come back this way, we'd love to see you again and we all miss you already!!

Big hugs from Julia, Miguel and Liath (plus some boops) xx

(Excellent )

12 May 2026

Left by Workawayer () for host (Join our chill, bilingual, ...)

What can I say? Julia and Miguel are kind, welcoming people and their lovely Galgo, Liath is too. I felt comfortable and part of the family right away. Their house is clean and the bed and room where I stayed was very comfortable. I worked alongside Julia, participated in language exchange and ate delicious meals prepared by both.
Lucena is a … read more

(Excellent )

4 May 2026

Left by host (Bring your hands and heart ...) for Workawayer ()

Ingrid stayed with us for a short time, but she truly became part of our family.

If I had to describe her in a few words, I would say: energetic, kind, strong, caring, and very nurturing. From the moment she arrived, she felt like family. There was a natural warmth and openness about her that made everyone feel comfortable right away.

She fit … read more

(Excellent )

4 May 2026

Left by Workawayer () for host (Bring your hands and heart ...)

What a gift to have joined this kind, loving earnest family that opened their home to me -- in such spectacular surroundings! Carmen and Robert have an approach to life that is open, calm and warm. Working together with them on projects or with their darling children (and sweet pets) was always an enjoyable and easy interaction. Along with local … read more

(Excellent )

25 Jun 2025

Left by host (Beautify forests on an animal ...) for Workawayer ()

Ingrid is a wonderfully kind, wise, and proactive person. She was an incredibly joyful and motivated worker on our farm, always asking for more tasks even though our work expectations are quite relaxed. She helped us far more than we anticipated.

We're new to Workaway and sometimes wonder if we'll continue hosting volunteers because it can be a … read more

(Excellent )

22 May 2025

Left by Workawayer () for host (Beautify forests on an animal ...)

The experience at Pedro's was a dream come true! Pedro is a warm, calm and open host who wants above all to share his beautiful place in the Coa Valley with others.
The farm tasks are flexible and Pedro welcomes ideas of others as well. I focused mainly on wo-manually (😁) clearing fields and pruning trees for fire prevention and I LOVED it ... … read more

(Excellent )

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Communication:
(5.0)

Skills:
(4.8)

Observed house rules:
(5.0)

12 May 2026

Left by host (Join our chill, bilingual, ...) for Workawayer

(Excellent)

12 May 2026

Left by Workawayer for host (Join our chill, bilingual, ...)

(Excellent)

4 May 2026

Left by host (Bring your hands and heart ...) for Workawayer

(Excellent)

4 May 2026

Left by Workawayer for host (Bring your hands and heart ...)

(Excellent)

25 Jun 2025

Left by host (Beautify forests on an animal ...) for Workawayer

(Excellent)

22 May 2025

Left by Workawayer for host (Beautify forests on an animal ...)

(Excellent)

14 Feb 2025

Left by Workawayer for host (Participate in the daily life ...)

Sue has an open and generous heart and a great sense of humour. She communicates and guides well and is open to questions. Su is very hard-working and the amount of work she expects is fair. She expects after some time that you look for anything that needs to be done around the hostel. That way it feels like you're part of what makes the hostel … read more

(Excellent)

11 Sep 2024

Left by host for Workawayer

Ingrid and Scott are a dream team, full of energy, happiness and love to do anything, digging the sand and stones from out the mill canel, building a wall with natural stones, cutting the bamboo and taking the roots out, taking care of the garden and watering the plants, cooking, backing bread and cakes . They love all our animals especially the … read more

(Excellent)

10 Sep 2024

Left by Workawayer for host (Many tasks indoor and ...)

This was our first workaway experience and we feel that we won the jackpot. Jürgen is an extremely kind and generous individual. He has an amazing place with lots of character, surrounded by a river. His home is a mix of the old house and additions ranging from 200, 150, 100 and 35 years old.

We, with Jürgen working just as hard, did a variety … read more

(Excellent)