The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Marketplace => Topic started by: Polished Arrow on September 23, 2012, 11:30:56 pm
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We have two stray Americans from Missouri staying with us this week doing a Wwooffing type week with us here in the Wye Valley. We kind of found them on the roadside, and, having started a conversation as they walked by our farm, ended up inviting them to stay once the Youth Hostel in which they were staying no longer had room for them owing to healthy bookings.
They are now trying to sort out next steps in their three month stay in UK/Ireland, as they would like to see more than just the Forest of Dean. But it is proving hard to find places that are affordable for them (food and lodgings for work; a room or two in a shared house; or best of all a self catering cottage or apartment - all in a rural idyll costing up to a max of £400 a month including bills.
Most places are expensive, holiday lets, that cost for a week what most of us would think normal for a month, or else are only geared up to long, 1 year lets.
We think there is a gap in the market, so we are wondering whether anyone on here would have something suitable they might like or be able to help us to draw to the women's attention.
Basically, the ideal would be to find somewhere in Scotland for a month, somewhere in Eire for a month and then somewhere in England for a month. They both majored in Equine studies at university, and are very keen out-of-doors people enjoying, experienced and knowledgeable with animals and the great outdoors.
If anyone here has either:
1. A cottage/apartment in ruralish setting for £400 max a month
2. A room/s they'd be prepared to let
3. A room and lodging for work
all in somewhere lovely, where two women with no transport can get about in free time, and get to buy simple foodstuffs etc once or twice a week, then please do let us know.
Kelly and Crystal are two lovely young women, who have much to offer someone with an open door.
Any suggestions welcomed :-)
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Wish I could help.... But you are right, there is a gap in the market. There's hardly anything affordable on offer now for holidays, especially not for singles and/or self catering! Guess why I hardly ever go on holiday... Sharing large dorms in a hostel is not everybody's cup of tea, and I must admit I'm feeling a bit too old for that. Need my beauty sleep. And hostels aren't cheap these days, either - and often not very nice.
If they are up for more hostels and want to go right up north, I can thoroughly recommend the one in Lerwick (I think that was voted best hostel last year or so); and I've been wanting to try the one in Unst (the further north the better for me!), too, as they offer single rooms at reasonable prices and are fully self catering. Transport is not needed in Lerwick; don't know about the frequency of public transport in Unst, though...
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Have they tried WWOOF UK?
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Sound like 'HelpX' is needed. Try googling that site....like wwoofing but in lots of situations.Its cheaper to join than too (or so Im told) and one site for many countries.
We host for HelpX and have met a range of great people through it as well as getting help with our plot.
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Some great replies, thank you one and all, and thanks too for the PMs :thumbsup:
Looks like the Scottish contingent are on the ball!
I was very interested in the HelpX site - that was new to me.
Will let you know when they are all settled. Meanwhile, my borders are busy being dug and the Buddleia is looking a lot tidier than it did this morning... :sunshine:
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We have a lovely 2 dbl bedroomed cottage that we could currently let for one month at £400. It is located on the borders of Shropshire (Shropshire Hills AONB) and Powys. It is about 4 miles from our farm, we have horses and sheep here if they want to get involved with the animals during a stay.
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i would be more than able to offer two young american ladies the use of my tent and ummm facilities in exchange for ummm oh i dunno some laurel clearance? :D
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Many thanks for your warm welcome to Kelly and Crystal. That's SO kind :) I am thinking I may have to do the same and ask for places to stay around our beautiful country - so many exciting opportunities and so little time to do everything! But then, how will the animals survive without me??!!
[/size]I have suggested to Crystal and Kelly that they write a short piece to connect those who have expressed an interest in hearing from them, so you can discuss anything with them direct. I didn't feel it was right to give your contact details to them, but better to ask them to give theirs to you... so, will send by PM to those who I think may use it.
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[/size]If you would like to take it forward, please do let them know - they are[/size] lovely - really hard working, helpful, and easy to have around. I for one don't really want to see them go, but I know they need to see more than just the Forest of Dean on their grand tour of the UK!
[/size]If you are ever down this way and need a place to rest your head, please be sure to let us know!Best wishes,Deborah
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We are also HelpX hosts
Reccommend they join as premier helpers and get a picture and a good biog on there....they will be snapped up, kept warm and well fed by one of us lovely hosts!
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Oopps! Sorry, I don't know what happened to my last post.
More lovely contacts, thank you. I am passing these on and Kelly and Crystal have said that this evening they will sort through and make contact where there is an email address/call where there is a number etc.
They are pretty blown away by all the kindness and thoughtfulness of folk here, so thank you :sunshine:
I think you are all kind of special too ;D