martinafr

From: France

Account Type
Individual account
Travelling to
France
Travel dates
01/07/2017 - 31/12/2020
Badges

My status
Travelling
Description
Hi, my name is Martina, I live in France, I'm 63 and just retired but still young in my body and my mind
in february 2017, I started a big trip all around the world and my first place was Canary islands, where i stayed more than 3 months, as I try to escape definitly the harsh winters and look for warm climates with exciting adventures !
I'm passionate by organic gardening and permaculture, also by alternative building and all kinds of sustainable lifestyles in harmony with nature and natural resources, and I wish to learn more about all this.
I love the ocean as well as the mountains, an practise several sports, including hicking, skiing, climbing, cycling and sailing, and hope discover much more during my trip. I also love art, mostly paintings and all kinds of music, and enjoy singing and laughing.
I'm easy going women, positive, full of life and love, and like to meet new people and share new experiences
I speak french of course, have a good level in english and german, and basic spanish
I used to do different jobs in my life like working in a ski resort in the french alps, working for a french national park and have also a background with customers and administration.
In France i used to live in different places, Paris, Grenoble and Annecy, and in 2016 i moved to the south west about 100km north of Toulouse in a nice and peacefull village in the country
I am also a mother of a 26 years son who has now his own life and lives in Paris
bonjour, je m'appelle Martina, je suis française, j'ai 63 ans et tout juste retraitée, mais toujours jeune de corps et d'esprit
en février 2017 je suis partie pour un grand tour du monde et ma première destination a été les iles Canaries où je suis restée plus de 3 mois ... je veux définitivement échapper au froid de l'hiver dans des contrées plus clémentes et vivre toutes sortes de nouvelles expériences !
je suis passionnée de jardinage biologique et de permaculture, je m'intéresse également à l'écoconstruction et à tous les modes de vie alternatifs qui respectent la terre, les êtres vivants et les ressources naturelles et j'espère pouvoir approfondir mes connaissances dans tous ces domaines
j'adore la mer et l’océan, je pratique la marche, la randonnée, le ski, l'escalade, la voile et le vélo mais j'espère découvrir encore beaucoup d'autres sports durant ce périple
je m'intéresse à l'art sous toutes ses formes, surtout la peinture et la musique, mais j'adore aussi rire et chanter
j'aime beaucoup faire de nouvelles rencontres et découvrir de nouvelles cultures et de nouveaux pays, je suis très positive, facile à vivre et je sais m'adapter partout
j'ai un bon niveau en anglais et en allemand, et je parle un peu d'espagnol (basic)
actuellement je vis dans le sud ouest de la France à 100km au nord de Toulouse dans un charmant village à la campagne, mais par le passé j'ai vécu à Paris, Grenoble et Annecy
j'ai aussi un fils de 26ans qui vit et travaille à Paris pour une ONG
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
Being an elderly companion
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
Helping around the house
Hospitality/Tourism
Language practice
Art Projects
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Teaching
More details about your skills
I'm able to help for organic gardening and permaculture, building and all tasks of handworks and DIY
I can help with house maintenance, cleaning, shopping, laundry and ironing, sewing (hand and machine)
I love chidren and can take care and share all kinds of activities with them.
I'm a good cook, can make raw food, vegetarian food and traditionnal food with meat or fish, as well as delicious cakes and pastries
I'm a confident and energetic person, i am calm, love to learn and discover new things and i feel well in any situations

je peux jardiner (biologique et permaculture), aider à la construction et faire toutes sortes de travaux manuels et petits travaux d'entretien et de bricolage
je peux m'occuper de la maison, du ménage, des courses, de la lessive et du repassage, faire de la couture à la main ou à la machine
J'adore les enfants, je sais en prendre soin et je peux faire toutes sortes d'activités avec eux
j'adore cuisiner et je sais faire la cuisine crue, végétarienne, ou traditionnelle avec viande et poisson, ainsi que de bonnes pâtisseries
je suis une personne équilibrée et pleine d'énergie, je suis calme et posée et je sais m'adapter partout
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Spanish: Beginner
Age
65
Nationality
france
What else ...
In France during the last years i helped building different houses made of timber, strawbales, clay and palets and i am used to work with all the tools to do it
Last year i made also the paintings and small DIY at my sister's new house, and did house sitting and pet sitting
I love gardening and at home i have a nice garden where i grow organic vegetables and fruits in the permaculture way since more than 10 years, but I would like to discover how to grow fruits and vegetables under other climates and learn about the local plants and trees.
I like also birdwatching and discover the local fauna in the countries where i am travelling
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements
  l love vegetables and fruits but eat also sometimes eggs and fish

Photos

harvesting pumpkins in my garden september 2016

In the dunes of maspalomas grand canaria feb 2017

Woofing in an organic finca at san mateo grand canaria march 2017

Picking up papayas in Tenerife april 2017

Tending banana trees in Tenerife may 2017

Making steps in a garden at Saint Girons (France) june 2017

Show all photos

Diging holes and planting pineapples Brisbane Australia october 2017

At cape Reinga New Zeland march 2018

Feedback

05/03/2020

Left by Workawayer (Martina) for host for (Gardening, small tasks, child ...)

I spend about 2 months with Eric, Aurélie and the girls, and had a really lovely time. From the first moment I felt welcome and considered as a part of the family.
The work was very easy, I spend most of the time with the little Zia who is a very sweet girl. I did also some gardening, painting a wall, as well as driving the girls to different… read more

(Excellent )

27/02/2020

Left by host (Gardening, small tasks, child ...) for Workawayer (Martina)

We had a very nice experience with Martina, it was really smooth and easy with her as we are sharing many values. Martina took care of our garden helped us at the kitchen and really had nice times with the girls and also with Zia, they enjoyed spending time together, playing, drawing and reading stories. She was also very helpfull to help us… read more

(Excellent )

30/03/2018

Left by Workawayer (Martina) for host for (Help our busy family with ...)

What a lovely family ! I had such a great time at Waiheke island at Phie and Gavin's home ! They have 3 very cute children and invited me for a barbecue on the beach with their friends the first day
I did mostly cleaning the house and windows and only 2 hours per day so i had plenty of time to discover this wonderful island
The shops and the… read more

(Excellent )

17/03/2018

Left by host (Help our busy family with ...) for Workawayer (Martina)

What a pleasure to have Martina with us. She managed herself around our busy schedule and we hardly new she was here. Her work ethic is exceptional and we would happily have her back anytime. Thanks Martina

(Excellent )

05/03/2018

Left by Workawayer (Martina) for host for (Help with gardening, ...)

I had a really great time at Betty and Warren's place
I stayed for one week and it was really too short, the whole family is so friendly and welcomming
The work was not hard, i did watering and fertilizing the lemon trees, weeding the swanplants garden, making piles of wood in the shelter and, as it was the the begining of the picking season, i… read more

(Excellent )

05/03/2018

Left by Workawayer (Martina) for host for (Help in our avocado orchard ...)

I was a bit disapointed because i hoped learning a lot about the growing of avocados and finally didn't learn much because Nicola was very busy with her new job and had never time to answer my questions. For the same reason she didn't give me much directions for the jobs i had to do in the garden but i did it with all my heart and on my best. I… read more

(Very good )

04/03/2018

Left by host (Help in our avocado orchard ...) for Workawayer (Martina)

Martina was not such a great fit with us, she is a woman with very high standards and very strong ideas about how things are to be done. She likes to share information on how things are done in France but I got a bit tetchy as I was a bit too busy to listen. We are just too casual and disorganised for Martina I think. She seems to be a lovely… read more

(Very good )

17/02/2018

Left by Workawayer (Martina) for host for (Help us out and experience ...)

I stayed one week at Nydia bay with a friend and it was an absolutely unique experience
Helen, Art and their childten are a very active and wonderful family and we had a lot of fun
There was a lot to do in the garden, weeding, cleaning, pruning, planting, seeding and we helped also with cleaning the guest rooms, cleaning windows and cooking
The… read more

(Excellent )

09/02/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Martina)

Martina was fantastic! She is such a lovely person and a hard worker. She and her friend Heidi did an amazing job in our garden! She is also a very good cook. She doesn't eat much herself but that doesn't stop her from cooking nice family meals. Thanks Martina; would love to have both of you back at the lodge.

(Excellent )

10/02/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Martina)

If you choose to have Martina stay with you, you will not be disappointed! We loved our week with Martina. We now have a veggie garden where we had none. She is so knowledgeable about gardening and planting.
It was very easy to have Martina in our home, she fit in easily. She did baking with the children and showed us new ideas for healthy meals.… read more

(Excellent )

06/02/2018

Left by Workawayer (Martina) for host for (Come help our family with ...)

I spend a week with this lovely family and it was such an amazing experience. Nat and Daniel are great hosts and did all to make me feel comfortable
The work was not hard, i did mostly gardening, weeding and starting a new veggie patch, made cakes with the children and helped with cooking healthy meals for the family
They showed me all the nice… read more

(Excellent )

05/01/2018

Left by Workawayer (Martina) for host for (Come and join our Creative ...)

It was an absolute pleasure to stay with Lorraine Arnie Arabella and the baby Ben
they are such an amazing and friendly family
There was a lot to do in the house because the baby was just new born but it was always a pleasure and i had also time enough to discover Sidney
The house is very comfortable and i had a very cute room with bathroom… read more

(Excellent )

29/12/2017

Left by host (Come and join our Creative ...) for Workawayer (Martina)

Martina was a God sent Angel. We loved having her stay with our family, particularly as we had just brought home a newborn.
Martina cooked nutritious and delicious meals, baked cakes and biscuits, took care of our garden, cleaned our home, prepared guest rooms and much more.
We highly recommend Martina, and we would welcome her into our home… read more

(Excellent )

03/01/2018

Left by host (Family in Little River, Banks ...) for Workawayer (Martina)

Martina only stayed one night here as it was too cold for her (even in summer) She did some good work in the garden while she was here though. Also we are 5km away from the main highway which she didn't like.

(Good )

01/01/2018

Left by host (Come and help out in my ...) for Workawayer (Martina)

Finally. I wanted to show my appreciation for Matina for some time now. She has been such a jewel to have in the garden and does such an immaculate job and shows immense energy. I found her really easy to get along and easy to have in the house. I hope she will be back one day and I wish her well. Thank you again Matina

(Excellent )

27/12/2017

Left by Workawayer (Martina) for host for (Come and help out in my ...)

I stayed two times for one week each at Shunyam's place and i wish i had could stay longer because it was such a great moment of my trip in Australia !
Her place is just like paradise, she grows all the fruits and vegetables you can imagine and i was so lucky to eat sapotes, cherries, plums and mangos directly from the trees and so yummy veggies… read more

(Excellent )

27/12/2017

Left by Workawayer (Martina) for host for (Cooking, painting prep, video ...)

I stayed just 6 days with Donna and all wad so great that it was really too short
She is so friendly and generous and did all to make me feel welcome and comfortable
She introduced me with her friends, showed me all around the city and the beaches, and invited me to join her fitness lesson
The work was very fair, i did a bit weeding and also… read more

(Excellent )

23/12/2017

Left by Workawayer (Martina) for host for (Gardening and building and ...)

I stayed just one week with Kamala but it was really great. Kamala is such a nice and kind person and i felt more than welcome. She showed me all the nicest beaches and places around Nambucca and also choosed the best moment for having the best pictures
She introduced me with her friends and invited me to join a meditation with the crystal singing… read more

(Excellent )

12/12/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Martina)

Martina is a very inspired helpful self motivated person, she is very focused strong and is a pleasure to have around. She was very helpful to me lots of work landscaping and clearing up, she doesn't need supervision. She is a very interesting person and I thoroughly recommend her as a workaway

(Excellent )

10/09/2017

Left by Workawayer (Martina) for host for (Come and join me on my new ...)

I have really enjoyed my stay at Susan's place. She gave me the feeling that i was welcome and did all to make me feel comfortable
The work was very easy although the heat of summer in south Portugal, i did mostly gardening, cleaning, pruning, weeding, planting and a bit of painting walls
i had a cute room in her cottage and the food was great ;… read more

(Excellent )

10/09/2017

Left by Workawayer (Martina) for host for (Join us in our paradise in ...)

I spend only around 2 weeks at Alexandra's and Tim's little piece of paradise but was really sad when we had to say goodbye
Alexandra is such a kind and friendly woman, she made me feel at home since the first moment and it was one of my best workaways so far
we worked quite hard, cleaning all the house inside and outside, but it was so… read more

(Excellent )

01/09/2017

Left by host (Join us in our paradise in ...) for Workawayer (Martina)

Martina is a jewel under workawayers,
We had to clean and set up two apartments and I could not have done it without her.
She is energetic, thoughtful, sees was has to be done and does it.
Good with all the tools if it is with the hammer, the mop, the shovel or the screwdriver.

Thank you Martina for your help. You know you are welcome back any… read more

(Excellent )

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