Will

Travel information

I am currently

Activities i am interested in:

Building work, joinery, diy and property maintenance. Hospitality. Sea kayaking / other boating. Generally a good problem solver with some language skills and a wee bit of musical talent :-)

Description

Born and raised in N Ireland, I am fortunate to have travelled extensively and enjoyed many adventures around our globe. But there is much to explore closer to home these days and this fits with my environmental outlook. My children are travellers in their own right now, and I find myself with freedom to notch up a few more adventures of my own.

My first Workaway experience was in northern Norway for 3 months last summer. I helped run a hotel, carried out joinery / renovation work, and worked as a sea kayak guide.

I have lots of building / joinery experience and have undertaken a number of major house renovations, including plumbing and kitchen / bathroom fitting. I have also run a small hotel (10 years) and a backpackers (4 years) and have a lifetime's experience of boating / sea kayaking (BCU 4 star leader qualified). I currently manage a range of rental accommodation including some Airbnbs. My degree was in Engineering with French.

My French, once fluent, is a little rusty. I can understand Spanish reasonably well but struggle to speak it. I could still just about order breakfast in Indonesian, as long as it was fruit! Oh, and I learnt a bit of Norwegian before and during my recent 3 month Workaway visit to Norway.

I have undertaken many interesting kayaking expeditions, particularly around Ireland and Scotland. Physically fit and in good health. I'd like to think I have a good combination of intellectual and emotional intelligence, common sense, practical skills and a gentle, friendly and helpful nature. Oh, and I am very domesticated, clean and respectful when sharing someone's home :-)

Fully vaccinated COVID-19.

Particularly interested in opportunities near the sea.

Thanks for reading.

Interests

Languages

Languages spoken
French: Intermediate
Spanish: Beginner

More details about my language interests
My French was fairly fluent in my 20s. I love it. But now it's a bit rusty and I need to get talking again!

Find a language buddy

Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn

Some knowledge of:  

Charity Work

Life at a Farmstay

Animal Care

Gardening

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Able to teach about:  

DIY and building projects

General Maintenance

Hospitality/Tourism

Languages

More details about your skills

Although my degree is in Mechanical Engineering, I find my interests and skills have gravitated more towards building, particularly joinery. I've carried out a number of renovations and recently built my own timber framed garden room, including all plumbing and electrics. Having said that, I can turn my hand to most things. I set up and ran a small hotel / conference centre business in my home town in Ireland, where I was also responsible for all property maintenance. Oh, and I've got good computing skills too, particularly spreadsheet work, having prepared business plans, run a couple of businesses and been treasurer of a local community group.

Age

57

What else ...

I grew up by the sea. My father was an accomplished sailor and boat builder. Sea kayaking is my main hobby, and has enabled me to explore the magical coastline of my own island of Ireland, as well as neighbouring Scotland. I am quite musical, but out of practise with singing / guitar playing. Very grateful to have retained some ability to converse in French and Spanish. Having built and run a hotel business, and fully participated in raising two wonderful children (both now in their twenties) I've picked up a range of less quantifiable skills along the way too :-) Helpful by nature. I have been running my own small counselling practice for the last few years as well, very interested in helping people get the most from life.

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