The Cabana, The Studio and The Glamp have been created by Matthew and Jane over the past 26 years. Matthew is a retired Architect which shows throughout the property. Over that time there have been constant changes. The gardens were started and enhanced, art was acquired, as were cats, dogs, chickens and horses... even people! Despite trying to simplify their life - no dog, no cats, no horses - their home and property is a busy place they love to share.
Natalie
Natalie vacated "Idle Cottage", her ground floor apartment in the house after 9 years. A big change, she was so much a part of summer life. Now a fully fledged counsellor, she has moved to Kelowna, but there's a good chance you'll still find her at the pool on occasion! As a result her one-bedroom suite may be available for rental. Just ask about it.
The Chickens The chickens are now our only "pets", and live in the back garden close to the house. Please ask if you would like to visit them in their "chicken condo". There are six now - all raised from day old chicks! Mabeline is a Easter egger, as is Emily - they both lay large blue eggs. They are both 18 months old. There are 4 new chickens from this year - all born on April 3. They all different breeds, so easy to name! They all have different characters too. Dora the Explorer is an Olive Egger and lays one green egg a day, Beauty is a Black Austrolorp and lays large reddish brown eggs. Star is a Black Star who lays lighter brown eggs, Ruskie is a Russian Orloff, she's a bit of a funny looking one! She lays light brown eggs.
Workawayers
For the past 9+ years, we have invited young (or older!) people who want to learn Canada, immerse themselves in a community, how to cook, what it takes to maintain a property and home and to live well to join us. They come through the Workaway program. We love the energy, and help, they bring into our lives. They have added interest to the years, often with firsts for the nationalities of people staying with us, and as always, new ideas and enthusiasm adds to life here.
So many workers over the years from all over the world - - from the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Netherlands, Italy, France, Spain, Czech, USA, Mexico, Columbia, Australia, New Zealand Poland, and Sweden so far!
We look forward to continuing to welcome work-awayers into our home in 2022 to help with gardening, renovations and maintenance. We can guarantee they will all leave having not only learned a few things but having had a very enjoyable time, as do we with them! Although they don't help with the Cabana you may meet them at the pool on their off time!
Louis and Jasmine arrived to join us in November 2020, left to explore BC in July and August 2021, returned in September stayed until March 2022 when the sold their van and explored South Africa.
Bernardo and Maria spent 3 months with us this spring, Alex and Rosie from the UK are here for June. Not sure how we would manage without them!!