Help me and experience authentic Dutch countryside life in Bontebok, Netherlands

Detalles

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  Descripción

  Hi! My name is Lucy, I’m 33 years old and recently moved back to Friesland after living in Amsterdam for several years. I recently bought an old cottage in my hometown of Bontebok and I’m slowly making it my own little place in the countryside.
  
  I’d love to share this new chapter with travellers who enjoy nature, animals, meeting new people and experiencing everyday life in a small Dutch village.
  
  I’ll first tell you a bit more about myself so you have an idea of the person behind this place :)
  
  I run my own dog groom business and animals are a big part of my life. I also love nature, hiking, yoga, kickboxing, healthy food and creating warm and cosy spaces.
  
  Before moving back to Friesland, I worked in education for about eight years. For several years I taught Health & Welfare at a large college in Amsterdam, mainly working with vocational students at the lower MBO levels. Later I moved more into animal care education, where I also taught a lot of practical classes. Things like caring for and feeding animals, feeding reptiles, nail clipping and other hands-on animal care.
  
  I really enjoy teaching and working with people, but I also have quite an entrepreneurial mind 😁 I’m always thinking of new ideas, how things could work better or more efficiently, and I love starting something from scratch and seeing where it goes 👆🏼
  
  Besides my dog grooming work, I’m currently working on setting up a clothing swap concept in the north of the Netherlands. I really like sustainability, giving things a second life and bringing people together around an idea. So if you’re also someone who likes creating things, exchanging ideas or brainstorming over dinner, we’ll probably have plenty to talk about :)
  
  Outside of work you’ll often find me hiking, horse riding, dancing dancehall or enjoying the outdoors. I love meeting people from different cultures and having good conversations over a cup of tea or dinner.
  
  I’ve travelled, WWOOFed and done Workaway myself over the past 15 years, including in China, Jamaica, Australia, South Africa and the USA, and have explored many other countries along the way.
  
  After being on the traveller/volunteer side for many years, it feels really nice to now be able to welcome people into my own home. For me, the cultural exchange is a big part of why I want to host. I love hearing people’s stories, learning about other cultures and ways of living, and hopefully sharing a little bit of Friesland and Dutch life in return 🧘‍♀️
  
  My parents live just a short walk away and are a big part of my life here. Bontebok is a tiny village, but there’s a lovely local community, including internationally minded people, and plenty of beautiful nature to explore :)
  
  What am I looking for?
  I’m looking for someone who is easy-going, practical and also comfortable working independently sometimes.
  
  I’ll definitely be around and we’ll do things together, but I also have my own clients (dogs) sometimes and life going on, so there will be moments when you’ll be doing something by yourself. I really appreciate someone who can see what needs to be done, take some initiative and is creative too :)
  
  My parents live just around the corner and will also be around quite a bit. They’re involved with the cottage too, so sometimes you might be doing things together with them instead of me. They both speak English and are very used to having international people around, so you’ll definitely be part of more than just my little world here.
  
  I’m learning a lot myself about living in the countryside, gardening and taking care of an old house, so if you have ideas or things you can teach me, I’d genuinely love that too 😁
  
  And hopefully I can share some things with you as well about Friesland, Dutch culture, animals, the area I grew up in and life here in general.
  
  And now… where will you be staying while? 🏠
  
  There are two buildings on the property. You’ll have your own private room in the main house, as well as your own bathroom with a lovely view.I stay in the other building, so there is plenty of privacy and space for you to enjoy the countryside and have your own time too.
  
  Good to know
  I’m usually at home in the evenings and I enjoy sharing meals, so most evenings we can cook and eat together. I’m generally away in Amsterdam one evening a week for work, so on that day you’ll be free to use the kitchen and make your own plans.
  
  You may also sometimes join meals with my family, who live just a short walk away.
  
  I think it’s nice to have a balance between spending time together and both having our own lives and space.
  
  Vibes
  
  I am hoping to create a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. We can do little projects around the house and garden together, have tea or dinner, go for walks, spend time outside and you’ll have the chance to meet my family and experience a bit of everyday life here. I am into board games and love to play Chess.
  
  I have my little dog Scott, so walks and having an animal around are naturally part of life here too 🐶
  
  What I hope to get out of hosting is actually quite similar to what I loved about travelling myself: meeting someone I probably would never have met otherwise, exchanging stories and ideas, learning about another culture and hopefully having a really nice time together.
  
  The next train station is in Heerenveen. I can come and pick you up when you arrive .
  
  At the same time, you’ll definitely have your own space and freedom to explore Friesland or just enjoy some quiet time.
  
  If you feel some kind of spark while reading my profile, don’t hesitate to send me a message. We can have a video call, get to know each other a little and you can share your story too.
  
  You’ll be joining a warm family with a love for nature, animals and people.
  
  Oh, and I’m a Libra ♎️
  
  Looking forward to meeting you!

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  Tipos de ayuda y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  Jardinería básica

  Proyectos creativos DIY «hazlo tú mismo»

  Ayuda doméstica

  Mantenimiento básico
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  Intereses

  

  Moda y belleza

  

  Autodesarrollo

  

  Mascotas

  

  LGBT+

  

  Trabajo de caridad

  

  Autostop

  

  Animales

  

  Deportes de invierno

  

  Yoga / bienestar

  

  Naturaleza

  

  Baile

  

  Deportes de aventura
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  Intercambio cultural y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  I’d love for you to experience life in a small Frisian village and become part of our little community while you’re here.
  
  My parents live just a minute away. My mother is very creative and organises often creative workshops, and my sister, her husband and their 2 children also live nearby. If you’d like, you’re very welcome to join family dinners, BBQs or other family activities from time to time.
  
  Every full moon there is a beautiful Full Moon Ceremony, and there are yoga classes nearby if that’s something you enjoy.
  
  I regularly go horse riding, and if you’re interested, I’d be happy to introduce you to that part of my life as well 🐴
  
  Friesland is full of forests, lakes and beautiful walking routes, and it’s a wonderful place if you enjoy nature and a slower pace of life.
  
  There is a bike for you to use.

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  Ayuda

  The help will mainly include:
  
  * Gardening and taking care of the outdoor spaces
  * Organising and tidying up around the house
  * Cleaning and making spaces feel fresh and cosy
  * Decorating and little creative projects around the cottage
  * Cooking together and sharing everyday household tasks
  * Other small projects we can do and learn from together
  
  What we do will also depend on your interests and what you enjoy. I’m very open to your ideas and input too. I’d actually love to learn from the people who stay here.
  
  We’ll mostly be doing things together rather than you working independently for me.
  
  For me, motivation, curiosity and enjoying doing things together are much more important than having any particular skills 😊

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  Idiomas hablados

  Inglés: Fluido

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  Alojamiento

  You’ll have your own private place to stay and plenty of free time to explore the area.
  
  Important;
  
  Because I also work 2 days a week, I can’t promise to cook every day. You’re always welcome to use the kitchen, and we’ll definitely share meals whenever it fits. Sometimes you’ll join family dinners or BBQs, while other days you’ll cook for yourself.
  
  For dinner I have a Hello Fresh subscription, so we can cook and eat together most evenings. We also regularly have dinner with my parents. We eat mainly vegetarian food.
  
  For breakfast, I usually have oatmeal myself, but there will always be plenty of other options in the house as well. The fridge is normally stocked with things like yoghurt and eggs, and there is always bread and other basics available.
  
  For lunch you’re welcome to make something yourself from what we have at home. I’ll make sure there is enough food available for three meals a day, including on days when we don’t eat together.

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  Algo más...

  Hopefully we’ll work hard, laugh a lot, learn from each other and create memories that last much longer than the renovation itself.
  
  I look forward to meeting you! ❤️

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  Un poco más de información

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    Acceso a Internet

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    Acceso a Internet limitado

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    Tenemos animales

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    Somos fumadores

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    Puede alojar familias

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  Puede acoger a nómadas digitales

  For digital nomads, we can def create a comfortable workspace with a desk on the private floor, so you can easily combine your remote work with helping out around the cottage.

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  Espacio para aparcar autocaravanas

  If you’re travelling with your own camper, there’s plenty of space to park it on the property. You’ll be surrounded by nature while still having access to the facilities in the main house, including the kitchen, bathroom and laundry.

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  Podría aceptar mascotas

  I have a cute 5-year-old Shih Tzu, Scott, who is an important part of the family. If you’re travelling with a well-socialised dog or other pet, they’re more than welcome too.

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  ¿Cuántos voluntarios puedes hospedar?

  Dos

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  Mis animales / mascotas

  

  Scott (5 años)

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