STOP PRESS :

European Union WWOOFers volunteering in the EU should have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) (the E111 form is no longer valid.)

The EHIC can be obtained on-line here.

Why you need an EHIC !

Please find enclosed my subscription fee for another year. Whether the letters are for 'Willing Workers' or 'World Wide' WWOOF stands for a whole lot more!

Although 28 years old and should know better, I took my very first trip abroad only just last year, WWOOF-ing in Andulucia. It was an adventure from beginning to end, starting with being taken from ambulance from the plane after a severe reaction caused by changing air pressure on landing combined with my heavy cold. I had the full 'If there's anyone on the aircraft with any medical experience, can they make their way to the front of the aircraft' announcement. A lady was kind enough to offer her services but 'I just do first aid with the Guides.' She said, 'I only know the recovery position.'

It was midnight in the Malaga airport clinic and I hadn't got a clue what was going on, where my bag was or what was wrong with me. The Doctor's English wasn't very good and neither was my phrase-book Spanish. I nearly died when he told me I had angina, My God, and in one so young I thought pointing to my chest and gasping 'you what? Angina? Heart?'

'No, No,' He said' Angina of the throat and you have bronchitis. You will not work on farm. You stay in Malaga for a little. It's nice. We have a castle' He took half an hour to write out a report on yellow paper, sometimes pausing and puffing and chewing on his biro. There was a calendar behind him with a picture of a sickly-sweet blonde child squeezing the life out of a kitten. I rubbed my sore ears and he pointed his pen at me. I stopped and tried to think of how much Spanish I knew to get by. A is for, Um, B is for Bueno blah blah, D is for Donde Esta la autobus para madrid.., E is for, Oh yes, God bless it, the EHIC !

I'm now a student at Goldsmiths College, London and can't wait to get back out there, after all that, I've got the bug. Next time I go I will stay in quarantine on a diet of vitamin tablets for one week before departure to ensure optimum health!

In case you're wondering, I got the bus back. 30 hours from Granada is no joke. and let that be a travel insurance fable for you all.

I wonder if you could send me some promotional literature as I'm in a great position to promote WWOOF as I'm a student Rep and in halls of residence. Let me spread the WWOORD!