Leah

Information de voyage

Actuellement, je suis

Description

🌳ASTURIAS: I live permanently in Asturias so I'm available to help with pet-sitting or house-sitting on various dates, just ask!

🐚CANARY ISLES or BALEARIC ISLANDS: I'm free to help on dates between 14th December and 11th January for house-sitting or pet-sitting, or, to work on a wildlife conservation project for a registered NGO/ONG. I'm sorry but I do need to come home for the 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th December to celebrate Christmas. The rest of the time I'm available.

🌊 I'm happy home-sitting in super remote places alone - see below for further info.

🌄I'm 43, independent, confident and currently live in rural mountainous solitude so no place is too remote for me to help out even if I'm on my own. I'm also used to hiking daily, and far, 3-7hrs! I don't drive, but that doesn't stop me!

🌻WHATSAPP: I do have WhatsApp, but I prefer to communicate on here first until we've agreed initial details and dates (I can check profiles to remind me who is who that way).

🎓QUALIFICATIONS & CAREER: I've studied a BSc Hons in Wildlife Conservation (I'm starting an MSc in September - in the Biological Sciences), PgDip Youth & Community Work, PgCert Ecology & Spirituality, 190-hour Ecotherapy Cert., Natural Mindfulness Cert., a BTEC National Diploma in Animal Care (full-time study - two years duration with distinction), etc., etc.., and have tonnes of work experience in those fields too. I'm a former bat biologist, eco-consciousness thought leader and I'm a published co-author in the same topic. I've also worked extensively as an environmental community projects officer, volunteer and student placements manager, international youth development worker for social and environmental impact (working across 32 different countries in-person or virtually - see photos) and in Nature connection for 23-years. For over 15-years I've also managed peer-mentoring programmes across the globe (ICF-ACTP). I have also helped develop two ecotourism projects, both in Kenya, and I'm passionate about including local communities and their local culture into sustainable tourism and ecotourism programmes. Currently, I'm part of the editing team for a British academic journal, a wildlife conservationist and an independent researcher of topics related to evolution.

🐶ANIMAL CARE EXPERIENCE: I've looked after ALL kinds of plants and animals over my lifetime since childhood for myself, rescues, stables and for other people, including: dogs, cows, cats, axolotls, horses, chickens, geese, ducks, donkeys, lizards, fish, amphibians, goats, sheep, snakes, insects like tarantulas, small mammals, wildlife etc., etc. I also used to work as a licensed bat surveyor and cared for injured bats. In my twenties I worked daily, alone, on a dairy farm with 55 milking cows (rounding them up by quad, milking them, checking welfare, feeding them etc.). I have absolutely no experience in beekeeping yet, but would love to. We currently have borrowed cows and sometimes horses and donkeys on our land as well.

🐌NOTE: I'm aware that my profile is quite extensive, but I hope it will answer all of your questions to ensure that I am right for you before we start communicating.

🧅MY COMMITMENT TO YOU & VICE VERSA: If I'm house-sitting your home will be just how you left it, or even better; I love to clean. I can keep you updated whilst you're away with a daily message, videos and photos via WhatsApp if you'd like that. I'd be super grateful if you leave me with some basic ingredients to cook with e.g. oil, salt, spices, potatoes, onions, etc. I need a private bedroom if other people are in your home whilst I'm there.

👩🏼‍🌾MY CURRENT LIFE & PERSONAL INFO: I'm married to my wonderful Spanish husband Daniel, who is from Asturias - we've been together for 18-years (see photo in 'photos'). We lived in Leeds city centre for 9-years and in Ecuador for a year. I lived alone, for work, in Southern and Eastern Africa for four months before moving here whilst Daniel settled in. I'm originally from Wirral, UK, with Scottish and Irish roots. I spent a lot of time alone in my twenties and thirties working for several weeks and months in countries across Africa (rural locations like Ndhiwa, Rusinga and Mukuni and big cities like Kampala and Livingstone). Once we settled into Daniel's ancestral Asturian lands nine years ago, a month later our Carea Leonés dog arrived by magic, literally, on the doorstep; my best bud. I have a basic sailing license and love marine wildlife. I do not have my diving qualification/s.

🌳MY PERSONALITY & VALUES: You've probably guessed a lot about me already by now. I'm super friendly and smiley (well I think I am haha) and I love hearing about people's cultures and traditions, trying them out too. I do like to keep myself to myself to myself sometimes as well, unless I'm directly working with people. I'm more than happy to meet via Zoom or GoogleMeet on video if you'd like to check that I'm right for you first; if I'm not the right match I will not be offended at all - it's best to make sure I'm the right person for you before I arrive, and vice versa, hence all of this extensive content. If you're in Asturias I may even be able to meet you beforehand.

🍷🧀I do not smoke and I have never done any drugs of any kind (I'm respectful of everyone's individual lifestyle and choices!). I do love a wine/cider with food, or a beer on a sunny day; that's my vice (plus local cheese). In my personal life I eat local and seasonal (I have absolutely no dietary requirements - I eat what I'm given and what we have access to, within reason - I will not eat Octopus as they're one of my favourite animals). Although I'm not vegetarian (I used to be until I moved here), I will absolutely respect and live by the rules in your home and eat only vegetarian or vegan food, if required.

🌺YOUR ACCOMMODATION & MY STAY: I'm used to living off-grid and staying in very basic conditions (an acceptable standard of cleanliness is important to me, though!): outside compost loo, mud huts, tents, candle light only, cold water from a well, bucket shower etc. are normal for me through my work overseas across Africa and Latin America. However, I do prefer to sleep on a "good" mattress.

🦜ADAPTING: I've lived/stayed alone with groups of tribal people in Ecuador, Uganda, Kenya, Peru and Zambia so I've learnt to adapt to culture, traditions, customs and diets quickly.

🔏YOUR PRIVACY: I don't use social media - I do not have Facebook, Instagram, TikTok etc. I will never share photos, location or videos of your home, land, animals or property. I value privacy, it's one of my top five core values, so I will also respect yours.

🐈ANIMALS REQUIRING MEDICATION: I'm happy to administer any medications or injections that have been prescribed by a vet. You have to show me how to administer these meds/injections before you leave, and leave me with clear written instructions. It is important that the medication is labelled and in its original box.

🐓ALLERGIES: I am NOT allergic to bee stings or any animals of any kind. However, I am VERY allergic to feather pillows/duvets that I sleep on; strangely, when they're on the actual living birds feathers don't seem to bother me! I've cared for looooooads of chickens, ducks and geese and I'm planning on getting my own Indian runner ducks this year.

Wahhh, that was a lot, but I hope it was helpful and will support you to decide if you'd like me to look after your home, animals, plants, projects etc.

I'd love to help out if I'm right for you and you're right for me. 😊
Thank you so much,
Leah🙏🏼

Centres d’intérêt

Écriture

Dev. personnel

Dev. durable

Soin des plantes

Photographie

Animaux de compagnie

Nature

Montagne

Randonnée

Ferme

Culture

Livres

Animaux

Langues parlées

Anglais: Courant
Espagnol: Intermédiaire

Compétences et connaissances que j'aimerais partager ou apprendre

Ça m'intéresse :  

S’occuper des animaux

Garde de maison et d'animaux

Aider dans une ferme

Aider à la maison

Accueil / tourisme

Projets artistiques

Enseignement

Jardinage

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J'ai des connaissances :  

Éco-projets

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Je peux apprendre aux autres :  

Travail associatif

Langues

Quelles sont vos compétences ?

Please see description for my relevant skills. 🌞

Âge

43

Autres infos...

A private bedroom or sleeping area with a sturdy mattress is required (not a mat, blow up air bed or a hammock; some sofa beds are okay if the foam isn't super thin!), and I do not want to stay in a home where people smoke indoors (I can't bear the smell of cigarettes). I like to keep myself to myself so please be aware I may not always be social, but I can be and I'm super smiley. I'm happy to meet on a video call first. I don't drive!

Informations complémentaires

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  Fumeur

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  Permis de conduire

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  Allergies
  Yes. I'm extremely allergic to feather bedding, pillows and duvets that I will be sleeping on: I'm not allergic to birds and can absolutely 100% look after birds! I can explain more, if required.

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  Régime alimentaire spécial
  No, none at all, except that Octopus are one of my favourite animals, so I refuse to eat them. I also refuse to eat companion animals, including horses and donkeys no matter where I am in the world. I will adapt to any/all dietary requests/requirements in