Help with gardening and house-sitting in Dora Creek, Australia

Details

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  Description

  I’m a professional artist, and have been doing this kind of work for the last 30 years, in one form or another. I paint in my home studio, in a larger studio elsewhere when necessary, or around the country and internationally on larger projects and at festivals.
  
  I moved to a slightly rustic, tiny house, in the hamlet of Dora Creek, on Lake Macquarie 5 years ago. It’s a wonderful area, rich with plenty of natural Bushland, national parks, beaches and great lifestyle possibilities, as well as a wonderful climate.
  I live here with my special rescue dog, Kali and an occasional German Shepherd dog visitor, Athena, and am slowly working on making my little piece of paradise as sustainable as possible. I’ve done a lot of travelling and love meeting new people on their own adventures. I’m looking forward to the possibility of sharing my space and unique work life craziness with interesting humans from near and far.
  
  
  Apart from straight up ( usually last minute) house and dog sitting, when I’m away or working on projects, I am looking for help building, setting up and maintaining my garden, and improving the house so there’s more room to share the space with the Interesting and adventurous people who visit.
  When there are house sitting dates available ( see the top of this description for any upcoming dates) it would be best if people could arrive at least a few days early so there’s a few day’s for me to show you the ropes and introduce you to the dogs, show the best places to walk them and help you get settled in.
  
  When I am working from home be prepared for anything. My life is not routine, so there are times when the work changes daily, depending on the needs of the moment. It could be moving and loading studio gear in preparation for the next big project, helping to sort and reorganise everything after a hectic work period. I really appreciate workers who are engaged and self motivated, who ask questions and follow directions well. These basic skills overcome any difference in experience and skill levels when working.
  
  Having shifted to a vegan diet nearly 20 years ago, for compassionate and environmental reasons, I cook and make as much of my own and the dogs food at home as possible. I have catered and taught the pleasures and treasures of vegan cooking in the past, and love to share that knowledge still. Though I respect each individual’s right to eat whatever they choose, my home is my sanctuary and I ask that all who stay with me maintain a cruelty free, vegan kitchen.
  
  My house is 10 minutes drive to Morriset, 40 to Newcastle, and 1.5 hours from Sydney. It’s also only 15 minutes walk to the station, for a more leisurely journey to enjoy the spectacular scenery of the central coast to either Newcastle or Sydney.
  There is also extensive bushland just minutes away, for riding or walking with the dogs.
  
  I have a bicycle, an e-bike, a stand up paddle board and some basic kayaks which working guests are welcome to use. There is a good space to park a van inside the gates and have easy access to the house too, if that’s useful.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  House sitting
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  Interests

  

  Politics / Social justice

  

  Pets

  

  Culture

  

  Sustainability

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  Gardening

  

  Cooking & food

  

  Animals

  

  Nature

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Camping
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I’m happy to help with English language practice,.
  There is an abundance of natural beauty in the area and I enjoy taking guests out to experience and enjoy some of these special places.
  
  I’ve done a lot of travelling and love meeting new people on their own adventures. I’m looking forward to the possibility of sharing my space and work with interesting humans from near and far. I am keen to help teach vegan cooking and nutrition hacks, for home and travel, and also for sustainably feeding the dogs.
  There may be opportunities for experiential art tuition, gallery visits and local tours..
  
  I studied German for several years 30 years ago, then spent a few years travelling on and of in Germany. While there I was an intermediate speaker but I’m terribly out of practice. Ich liebe Sprache übung mit Workaway Freundin.
  
  I recently developed a somewhat distracting entrancement with Korean Drama, and so thought I would make the most of this immersion by rather haphazardly learning Korean. I mostly only use Duolingo, and know I would progress much faster if I was following a more structured course.
  
  I love Hangul and can read it very haltingly. Understanding spoken Korean is currently beyond me though. I have a long, long way to go. Would love some help with this, also vegan Korean cuisine.
  
  구글이 도와줬어

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  Help

  When it’s not just house and dog sitting, I would be looking for help with building, setting up and maintaining my small urban garden, with some general cleaning and maintenance work and for help with walking and caring for the dogs when I’m busy on large projects. There may be limited opportunity for help with some art projects depending on timing and location of project. It would be not more than 4 hours work in a day, some days as little as 1 or 2

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  German: Intermediate
  Korean: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  For house sitting periods the house could accomodate a family, otherwise a private room for a single or couple, with shared bathroom and kitchen.
  I’m happy to share cooking, and provide all the food in the vegan kitchen, though house sitters will have to arrange their own meals and fresh produce. As mentioned above I maintain a cruelty free, vegan kitchen in the house, and would ask that workaway guests respect that.

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  What else ...

  There is a bike to ride ( might need the tyres pumped up and a bit of love), an E bike, and a stand up paddleboard, by workeaway guests, and space just to chill, if that’s what you prefer. I live a pretty quiet life, when at home. Working, meditating, making art, gardening, cooking and walking the dogs mostly, besides going to the odd arty event stuff. The internet is good here, so I don’t have a TV, preferring to stream online movies or series either on my computer or projected as a little home cinema, or just to read a book.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  My internet is quite high speed though with more than two people streaming it can slow down.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  I have a great flat space beside the house suitable for a large or small van

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  Can possibly accept pets

  This is qualified by the fact that I have a dog who needs a careful introduction to all people and animals. She is getting better and better, thanks to all the beautiful Workaway guests who have given her love, walks and trust. So new pet friends just need to be acclimatised and introduced carefully. Cats are a bit harder but still possible with more work.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

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