Judith

Travel information

I am currently

Description

Now loving my retirement (following a long career in children’s social work management), it’s great having time to explore and experience new things and to meet new people. Anything to do with the outdoors and nature engages me, so I love walking, cycling and kayaking. I fit these around a mixture of voluntary work in culture, nature conservation and at a garden centre which supports people with learning difficulties, where I work in the wild flowers team. As a long-term trustee for a women’s aid organisation, I maintain feminist values and challenge myself to stay focussed on safeguarding, inclusion and humanitarian principles.
Samba drumming and ceramics allow some creative juices to flow.
For many years I have done working holidays with organisations such as the YHA, the National Trust and previously BTCV, and I have benefitted from learning new skills and meeting similarly motivated people through these tasks (including fence building, pond and scrub clearance and tree planting)
I’m a proud Mum of a successful young man who has his own career in London and I spend time with him, sharing mutual interests in cooking, music and theatre (as well as doing all three with friends too of course!)
These are some of the things that currently keep me busy and motivated and I’m sure there will be more to add to the list as I continue to lap up the opportunities and experiences that being retired allows me. I’ve had the privilege of a number of Workaway stays together with my friend Gill and we plan to do many more as we love the enrichment and fun these afford us. I’m fit and healthy, and capable at gardening, basic DIY and land/house maintenance, cooking and most tasks that are thrown at me!

Interests

Sustainability

Politics / Social justice

Sailing / Boating

Water sports

Pets

Plant care

Photography

Performing arts

Outdoor activities

Nature

Music

Mountain

History

Hiking

Fitness

Gardening

Events & social

Drawing & painting

Cooking & food

DIY & crafts

Cycling

Culture

Charity work

Beach

Camping

Books

Art & design

Architecture

Animals

Adventure sports

Languages

Languages spoken
Indonesian: Intermediate

More details about my language interests
I enjoy picking up a bit of the local language wherever I go.

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

I'm interested in:  

Gardening

DIY and building projects

Animal Care

Life at a Farmstay

Art Projects

House sitting

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Some knowledge of:  

Eco Projects

Creating/ Cooking family meals

Helping around the house

Hospitality/Tourism

General Maintenance

Charity Work

More details about your skills

I’ve managed children’s social work teams for many a years so I have some fairly solid organisational skills and know a fair bit about keeping children safe but…I’ve moved on from being a decision maker! Though I am still a trustee for a women’s aid organisation and am pretty good at making decisions in that role when needed!
I can turn my hand to lots of conservation related tasks such as tree planting, fence building (with supervision!), scrub and plant clearance, footpath repairs etc. Plus I enjoy gardening either at home or with friends.
I’m a keen cook and cake baker, and even keener on sharing the cakes with friends.
Having been an Airbnb host now for 5 years and had excellent reviews, I think I’m fairly good at welcoming new people into my home and making them comfortable, so I hope I am equally adaptable and respectful in someone else’s home.
Since September 2021 I’ve taken up cycling and can change a puncture plus a few other jobs on a bike.
One retirement activity on my list of new thing's was to complete an abstract art class (to challenge me out of my box) which I loved and would wish to develop further though pottery and ceramics are taking up my creative time now.
Having lived in Indonesia for 3 and a half years in the 1990s, I can still read and speak some Indonesia, and have been trying to learn some Italian online though with limited success so far!

Age

64

What else ...

I love dogs and am happy to help care for them (sadly my last dog Poppy died early in 2022), I can do basic knitting and sewing, like Scrabble and other word games, obviously enjoy travel (!), sing in a local singing group which completes public performances covering a range of musical styles and genres, I’ve recently undertaken a canoeing holiday and also a Tall Ship trip, and found I love being on the water as well as swimming in it, ….I’m sure there’s more but hopefully you are getting the picture!

Some more information

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  Smoker

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  Driver's licence

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  Allergies
  Cats and horses

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  Special dietary requirements