Mark & Fay

United Kingdom
Login to see last activity

Badges (4)

Photos

View all

Give the gift of Workaway

Profile information

Travel information
We are currently
At home
Our next destination:
Spain
View all
Description
Hi I'm Mark I've done workaway for a few years. Fay and I returned to work with a few of the hosts I met on my travels last year. We intend to travel again after Christmas 2023 to meet new hosts.
I started my working life as a diesel mechanic, then moved into farming with some arable but manly dairy. After 10 years as a herdsman I took on my parents small holding where I've farmed sheep, goats, pigs, turkeys, cows etc for the last 21 YEARS.
During this time I've been self employed working for local people doing all sorts of work like building a garage, flagging, roof repairs, cutting gardens, looking after church grounds, painting ect. 5 years ago I started 3 days a week as an engineer where I work with hydraulics. I have also fully renovated the farm I live in plus a holiday home in the lake district. I have 3 great kids that are grown up now and have their own lives.
Hi, I'm Fay a retired primary and secondary English teacher ( worked in teaching for 25 years). I now work in admin but have worked in many different fields; dentistry, care work, managing a mobile Covid testing team and spent last summer supervising a team of ice cream van drivers, servicing their ice cream machines and organising stock. I love crochet, growing flowers and exploring the environment.
Mark and I live happily together and the animals have now been sold to give us more freedom to travel. We really enjoy visiting different places abroad, we enjoy meeting local people and learning about different ways of life more than doing the tourist thing.
We are happy to work hard in most conditions (Mark spent 12 months in Australia fruit picking in the early days). We're easy going and looking forward to meeting new people and learning how things are done in different countries.
Interests
Yoga / Wellness
Self development
Pets
Music
Farming
Drawing & painting
DIY & crafts
Animals
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Skills and knowledge we'd like to share or learn
We're interested in:
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Animal Care
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
Hospitality/Tourism
More details about your skills
Diesel mechanic (old engines),most livestock and farming work, building work,landwork, working with public (worked on boat hire fleet),
Can turn my hand to most things,and willing and hoping to learn new things from my host
Age
57 & 52
What else ...
I'm honest, hard working,trustworthy and keep my home clean and tidy and would teat someone else's the same. I'm happy to do most things to help and often help elderly people to jobs that they Carnt do (change light bulb,move a sofa, etc)
I'm well know in the area I live and people say I'm easy going and allways get the job done and if I Carnt I will know someone that can.
My main hobby is my motorcycle in the summer time.
Looking forward to meeting you
Thanks mark
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements

Feedback

19 Apr 2024

Left by host (Help with gardening, ...) for Workawayer (Mark & Fay)

Mark and Fay were excellent workawayers. Unfortunately, they could only stay for a week instead of the planned two, as the weather became very wet and stormy and it wasn't possible to continue working outside on the gardens. However, for the time they were here they completed an amazing amount with skill and dedication. They are both very easy to… read more

(Excellent )

27 Mar 2024

Left by Workawayer (Mark & Fay) for host (Help with gardening, ...)

Planned to spend two weeks with Hilary but by the second week it was very wet, so unfortunately we only ended up only spending a week with her.
Hilary has a beautiful house and gardens and we stayed in the apartment attached to the house which is just as lovely and well equipped.
The work was as described and Hilary and her gentle dogs looked… read more

(Excellent )

15 Apr 2024

Left by host (Help with starting remote off ...) for Workawayer (Mark & Fay)

SUPER SOULS AND WITTY AND CREATIVE SKILLS TO SOLVE ANYTHING AND EVERYTHING

This was an absolute ride... Mark fixed EVERYTHING his hands touched! We were in constant awe... it is like he has magic in his fingers! (and in his mind ; )

And Fay was this amazing human being, most probably one of the best teachers of her generation, a super… read more thoughtful, respectful, easy to talk to, to listen to, to do things with... so appreciative, kind and sparkly, yes, sparkly sparkly super young eyes ; ) Her first sentence, as looking all around at the views and scenery here, was: "I have never stayed in a place as beautiful as this"... what a beautifully grateful woman : )

They make a great couple, so so easy to be with : )

Mark was even before coming impacting us super positively with his very open transparent communication, which was a huge part of why we made the exception of this short stay, that even made us open for more such short stays in our profile : ) And this open honest communication continued while here and turned even to huge enthusiasm when helping out to think building ideas, discarding not so good ideas with so nicely layed out comments on why they would not work... a total commitment for things to work and be in a good state even after his stay.

They have given us help far far beyond workaway expectations, in time, energy and thoughtfulness.

She caring for the boy a lot (he fell in love with her and was giving her flowers and stones and wanting to impress her! ha ha! : ) and also translating wild plants names to Spanish to help me on a project, putting screws and bolts and so on in order (so meticulous!!!! : ) : ) : ) so that we could find all we needed when starting the jobs, doing dishes, making salads, cleaning inside and outside of the house... and having wonderful soul to soul conversations about family, education and life ; )

He fixing lights, pumps, locks, door handles, barbaque "elevator"... everything that did not work! And helping Cris bring down and back up with new material a wooden bridge, and preparing irrigation for veggetable garden, thinking through building projects with us (so so so valuable!!!!!) in order to be able to make the right preparations for now or later, also dishes in a team with Fay in record time, and so thoughtful about feeding the mare and closing the gates when it got late for me : )

He wakes up and gets going with his own inner motivation, choosing super autonomously among the previously commented priorities... giving us so much valued freedom and time. And he can work great in teams too. And have super honest (sometimes very funny humor) relaxed conversations: )

They can both express their needs and preferences very clearly and politely.

And they were both super respectful and flexible with our life-timings (sleeping, eating...), so so so understanding, flowing and caring with it : )

Fay, Mark, los abuelos ingleses ; )... ALWAYS WELCOME!!! : ) : ) : )

(Excellent )

14 Apr 2024

Left by Workawayer (Mark & Fay) for host (Help with starting remote off ...)

This was the first time we had tried off grid living and what a wonderful place and family to try it!
Spectacular views and lovely accommodation. Maria, Chris and Havier were so kind, welcoming and generous. They shared their low impact and natural living philosophy with us as well as their home.
We had a wonderful trip out into the mountains to… read more

(Excellent )

12 Oct 2021

Left by Workawayer (Mark & Fay) for host (Help with sanding or painting ...)

hi when I first contracted Brian he told me exactly what I was going to be doing so if the work wasn't for me I had the opportunity to not go, but I did as the work was my kid of work and I'm so happy I did.
What an opportunity to live and work on his motor yacht, the work was just as expected,Brian got the food and came to check i was ok and work… read more

(Excellent )

11 Oct 2021

Left by host for Workawayer (Mark & Fay)

Best workawayer ever.
Got stuck into the work with enthusiasm. Cant fault his work, Recommend him to any host.

(Excellent )

View all

Friends

Photos

Show all photos

Feedback

19 Apr 2024

Left by host (Help with gardening, ...) for Workawayer (Mark & Fay)

(Excellent )

27 Mar 2024

Left by Workawayer (Mark & Fay) for host (Help with gardening, ...)

(Excellent )

15 Apr 2024

Left by host (Help with starting remote off ...) for Workawayer (Mark & Fay)

(Excellent )

14 Apr 2024

Left by Workawayer (Mark & Fay) for host (Help with starting remote off ...)

(Excellent )

12 Oct 2021

Left by Workawayer (Mark & Fay) for host (Help with sanding or painting ...)

(Excellent )

11 Oct 2021

Left by host for Workawayer (Mark & Fay)

Best workawayer ever.
Got stuck into the work with enthusiasm. Cant fault his work, Recommend him to any host.

(Excellent )

28 Sep 2021

Left by host (Help with our ...) for Workawayer (Mark & Fay)

This was my first workaway experience and it was great. Mark stayed at my place for one week and helped me with everything that had to be done. Really appreciate his friendly nature and helpfulness. He is an easy going person with great skills, communicative and open to meet new people.
Thanks a lot, Mark. Allways welcome to come back.

(Excellent )

26 Sep 2021

Left by Workawayer (Mark & Fay) for host (Help with our ...)

Hi all
I was at Esha,s place for one week and was made to feel welcome from the minute I arrived. the work was good to do and I was left to get on with it.
Estha took me to meet her friends and out for a picnic by the many watering holes around also to see the local river. The food she made was really really good,all in all I was well looked… read more

(Excellent )

29 Apr 2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Mark & Fay)

Mark was only here for a week, but he was excellent to have around. He worked very hard, was very polite and considerate and we really enjoyed having him. We wish him luck in the future and highly recommend him to other hosts.

(Excellent )

16 Apr 2019

Left by Workawayer (Mark & Fay) for host (Help with our two children ...)

I Stayed with Amy and Patrick only 1 week as they had other guests arriving, but I would have stay longer because it was good location near village and bus routes. The work was good and I was told the tasks on arrival and just left to do them .time was very flexible with no pressure whatsoever. My accommodation was excellent. The food was very… read more

(Excellent )

3 Apr 2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Mark & Fay)

Well, what a lovely experience with Mark as a workawayer - honest, loyal, reliable, hardworking and with a great sence of humor! Left the accommodation in excellent condition. Mark was exceptionally hardworking and willing to help with absolutely any task that was presented to him from helping to reinstate dry stone walls on our olive terraces,… read more

(Excellent )

2 Apr 2019

Left by Workawayer (Mark & Fay) for host (Join us in our 400 year old ...)

Hi i went to Andrew and sallys home for 2 weeks but stayed 4. The location was nice and peaceful, the work was manual but not hard and Andrew would never ask you to over work yourself. Hours was good and very flexible. I was taken out with there friends and for meals and to visit places. The accommodation was better than any hotel I've seen.… read more

(Excellent )

5 Mar 2019

Left by Workawayer (Mark & Fay) for host (Come and help at my farmhouse ...)

Been at lindas place for 2 and half weeks, this was my 1st Workaway experience and all I can say is if there all as good as linda then I'll have no problems. The work was varied and not hard it consisted of cutting firewood fitting dishwasher hanging the odd mirror and coat hooks and general help around the house preparing meals tyding up… read more

(Excellent )

3 Mar 2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Mark & Fay)

Marvellous Mark! Great communicator, calm personality, good driver and excellent worker at ANY tasks. Sadly underutilized during his stay, but i really hope you come back again after some travelling around! Your welcome anytime!

(Excellent )

To leave feedback make sure you are logged in & your account is online