Laura Helper 98 from Belgium Oct for 3 weeks until the 25th

Laura, who had studied  psychology  and then traveled first to Montreal where she worked and then to Vancouver, always had a pleasant demeanor. She arrived at a time when we were wrapping up the garden and getting ready for the first big freeze. Laura did a lot of fall cleaning, including cleaning the cabin from top to bottom, the shop and lodge.  She raked leaves which were used in preparing garden beds where Laura planted the garlic and spinach.And for several days she kept me company while I surveyed on our woodlot.
Laura was here over Thanks Giving, and it was our first time in over 10 years that we traveled away for TG. We went to Rocky Mtn house to visit Loren's nephew's family (Jesse, Becky, Laura-li, Riley and Nate) and his Mom who was there for TG. Laura came along for a very Canadian experience. On route we stopped at Bass-Pro at the Iron Cross Mall. This Bass Pro is one of the biggest outdoor stores in Canada. Then while we were in Rocky Mtn House we watched, Jesse coach Riley and Nate's hockey practice,visited Rocky Mtn House Historic Site (Tee Pee photo) and Laura had her first bike ride on a motorbike and photographed Loren's Mom(77 years young) have her first ride on the same motorbike, ate turkey dinner and pumpkin pie and then had a sing along. We took the David Thompson Hwy back and then stopped at Lake Louis to show Laura the sites. Yes it doesn't get more Canadian than this.
I connected Laura with someone from MtnView Cabins who also hosts woofers.  There Laura connected with a girl from Montreal and they made arrangements to continue their journey together. They both spent the next week at the Spotted Dog Rescue helping there and then caught a ride to the Okanagan.

Adrian, Erwan and Lisa from France_July 8th to 17th Helpers 95,96-97

Adrian, Erwan and Lisa arrived via their connection to Leo WW_82. Adrian is Leo's brother. We had met him in 2013 when Adrien, his father came to visit Leo and Julien.  These three has arranged to be with us for 2 weeks and then move to a neighbor's farm. We really didn't have that much for them to so, so we were scraping to keep them all busy.  And after a week, the neighbors who were building a machine shed asked if they could go there early. So they headed over to Eagles Rest Farm to build a rather large machine shed.  Because of that we didn't get out to do many excursions. We did manage to short hike up Hedberg Creek, but other than that we stayed close to home, where swimming in the pond was the best .  We did find enough work to keep them busy, but when we couldn't these three spent busy being connected on their mobile devices.
A few jobs completed while they were are; painting the walk way on the Woofer House, painting in the shop. and house siding, clean the cabin, a bit of weeding, hilled potatoes, mowed the lawn and worked on the walk way in the garden. And like brother Leo, helped with loading the hay into the barn.  It was too bad they were here for such a short time, but we just didn't have enough work for them.  

Denise and Loren 2013 HIighlights

Tomomi, Helper 94, June 23 to July 4th Tokyo, Japan

Tomomi had been in Canada in the past for a year, and was here again because she loved Canada and wanted to improve her English. Tomomi's English however is already very good and we took every chance we could to practice her pronunciation. Tomomi arrived just in time to catch up with weeding. She also helped with the lodge and did some painting for me. Tomomi was a great help n the kitchen and always was very cheery and thankful. Tomomi came with us to visit Loren's family in Canal Flats, where her and I hiked some of the Spirit Trail along the east side of Columbia Lake celebrated a family birthday and she drove brother Bill's RTV.   We also took time to visit Thompson Falls and enjoy the festivities in Golden on Canada Day including; the Museum where we sang 'Oh Canada' and ate birthday cake, the car show and Farmer's market and then to Vera's for tea.  I was sorry to see Tomomi off on the bus, but with all helpers we know that there are many new and exciting things ahead. Tomomi's new adventure was to be delayed in the Toronto Airport on route to Halifax, because the remnants of a hurricane were causing high wind in Nova Scotia.  In Halifax, Tomomi will help at a farm where they make Tofu. Then she will meet up with her Husband, and then of course they will go to PEI to visit Anne of Green Gable's home town Charllotetown.

A photo Tomomi sent me of her visit to Anne's house.

Tomomi said she would like to return to help us again, and we are hoping that her travel plans allow her to return here. Below is a photo of Tomomi riding with Brother Bill in his RZR, I believe this is short for Razor.

Tomomi is driving brother Bill's RZR, I believe this is short for Razor.

Bertram WW 93, June 21h to July 4th

Bertram an accountant from France travelling since February had been at a co-op farm near Fernie, where he experience Canada's cold winter in the Rockies. Then he took a few days to buy a car and drive here. Bertram helped to finish planting the garden and then moved onto some weeding.  He painted siding and helped Valentine build the walls in the machine shed. Bertram also helped with brushing around crop trees at the woodlot near Donald and on our property here. Bertram always had interesting ideas and was very keen on perma-culture, which he hoped to learn and practice back in France. We were very thankful for his help as by the time Bertram left we had very few jobs left to do around here.  We know we will see Bertram again because he left his winter tires here until he needs then next fall. Below Bertram is building rows to plant beets and peas.

WW 91 Olivier, France May 4th to May 24th and Valentine May 4th to June 3rd

Olivier as special needs teacher from France had been in Montreal working for the winter, then woofing and then a bus ride across Canada with friend Valentine to help us. Valentine a carpenter, had traveled to Montreal to visit Olivier and work.  We were finishing up several outstanding projects around here, and  were glad to have such their help. Olivier was our master painter. He painted siding, cupboard, cupboard doors and a dresser I was refinishing. Olivier helped Valentine with some carpentry projects, helped to plant the garden and even made the traditional French pastry dish 'tarte tatin'.
We put Valentines carpentry skills to great use. Valentine helped with the ceiling off of the porch, finished the siding on our house, the fascia on the barn, the ceiling and floor at the woofer house and the walls in the machine shed to name some of the things he put a hammer, saw and screw gun to. In addition he planted the potatoes which were just up by the time he left.
Olivier, Valentine and Bertram all worked with Loren on our woodlot near Donald, brushing around crop trees.
While Olivier and Valentine were here there was still too much snow to do mountain hiking, however I had an appointment in Canmore and dropped Olivier, Valentine and Bertram in Banff where they hiked up Tunnel Mtn.  And one afternoon Bertram, Valentine and I visited Thompson Falls.
Both Olivier and Valentine were with us long enough to feel like part of the household and we were very sorry to have to say good-bye to them.
All their hard work was appreciated, and we hope to see them next time they are in Canada and we know there will a next time. Olivier will be in school in Montreal next year, and Valentine is returning to France to get his drivers license so he can come back to the Rockies and do some car touring.
Following are several photos from Olivier's and Valentine's stay here. Unfortunately we only have the one photo of Valentine.

The famous 'tarte tatin'

Valentine, Olivier and Bertram

The master painter.

Tom and Danielle, British Columbia - WW 89 and 90

Danielle, May 29th to June 2

Tom. Tom May 29th to June 10th
Originally only Tom (from the UK) was coming to help us, but because of the late snow, Danielle (from Kamloops, BC) couldn't go to her first woofing location (because of snow) so she joined Tom here for a few days. Together they raked and painted siding. In the evenings they ran the 10 km up the roads in preparations for a marathon in the fall. But before this they will travel to the north to paddle the Yukon River, explore the Klondike Country and the North where they planned to be married.
Tom stayed on for an extra week, during that week we also hosted Valintine and Olivier, and together they planted half of the garden, putting in the potatoes and onion sets and mulching the raspberries. It was great to start in the morning with a garden only 2 weeks free of snow and see it freshly organized and planted by the end of the afternoon.

Fabien WW 88

Fabien Oct 13th to Mid Nov 2013

Fabien traveled across Canada by car and arrived on Thanksgiving Weekend and quickly settled in. Fall is a time for putting things away and tying up loose ends before the snow sets in. Fabien helped Tiffany and Jean with the flat rock walkway at the cabin, the winter's firewood, digging potatoes and carrot. He put a dent in the rock path in the garden.

He pruned the raspberries back and cleaned ski trails. But best of all Fabien played Loren's spare accordion, so Loren and Fabien sat by the fire-pit practicing songs.

While Fabien was here he went to Revelstoke and stayed with another Woofing host (Cindy), so he could go to the Revelstoke ski hill job fair.  Here he found a job working in housekeeping at the ski hill lodge. So mid Nov. Fabien moved to Revelstoke, bought a car and went to work for the winter.
His boarding season was a month or so short, because he broke his leg while boarding. So rather than sit idle he had his Parent send his accordion and he practiced and practiced, and when we heard him play it in May, he had improved immensely. 

Tiffany and Jean Oct 17th to Oct 31, 2013 WW 86 and 87

Tiffany and Jean Oct 17^th to Oct 31, 2013

Jean the ‘Mountain Man forever’ and friend Tiffany from Aix-en-provence, France, were here in time to help with finishing up the boat shed, cleaning up around the cabin, finishing up the garden path and building the rock area with Fabien at the Cabin.

For both Jean and Tiffany the rural life was a new experience and they were both so keen in participating. As with many helpers driving the tractor and operating electric tools was saw as an opportunity rather than work.

We really enjoyed their company, and to finally respond to Jean’s note in the Woofer Diary. Yes you were good woofers for us! I hope someday we will see both Tiffany and Jean again on their route to a ‘horse trip in the Rockies.’