Información de perfil
Evaluación del anfitrión
100 %
Last replied
4 abr 2024
Porcentaje de respuesta
100.0 %
Usually responds ≤ 2 dias
Comentarios
20
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Medallas (2)
Detalles
Descripción
Hello there. We are a Matt, Ali from the UK, and our kids Olea (12) and Simeon (10). In 2015 we bought a large hill farm in the Vallespir, and we have been working hard and renovating it and creating holiday accommodation ever since.
We are a British family living in France; so the language at home is English.
Matt has done lots of things including working as a diver, a Marine, then a computer technician and is now a forester/farmer/builder! He competes most years in the local triathlon (Bearman Xtri) and loves pushing himself physically; and recently has been doing a lot of cold water immersion. He is now the forester, land manager, electrician, plumber, technical manager and general handy man!
Ali worked for many years as a chef on private sailing boats all around the world so has a background mainly in hospitality. I am an avid animal lover which is why we have so many! I love our long hikes in the mountains with the donkeys and dogs and like to practice yoga. I am design chief on the build, I manage bookings, do changeovers, feed the family, take care of guests and also do a lot of varnishing and animal care.
We both enjoy the great outdoors, long lunches, friends, family & animals!
We live in part of the main mas and Ali's parents live in their own house, which is in one of the outbuildings. We have no neighbours, and the village is only 5 minutes away down the track, the Mediterranean coast (and Collioure) is only 1 hour drive away and we are very close to the Spanish border so trips into Spain are very easy, even just for lunch.
We built all the guests accommodation and we now host wellness retreats (Spring and Autumn) and family nature holidays (summer and school holidays).
Using wood from our own forest, a band saw and a good workshop we can make almost anything out of mostly chestnut & oak. Anyone who enjoys working with wood will have many opportunities.
We also have a large organic vegetable garden which we always need help with, and are also planning on building a green house.
Our aim when we have stopped building, is to become as self sufficient as possible, both terms of food and energy but we're not there yet! We are still making improvements to the property in the winter, Spring we have a lot of retreats but also try to get as many vegetables planted as we can. Summer is family holidays; very sociable and fun. Autumn; usually more retreats and some maintenance and harvesting.
There is so much to do here! We welcome practical, open minded and fun people to help out.
We have lots of animals; 3 donkeys who we take for camping trips, 2 dogs, 4 cats, 20 chickens, 2 pet pigs, a few pet sheep and 2 goats; It's a great place for animal lovers. We are somewhere between a petting farm and a rescue centre :)
Thank you for visiting our page :).
Ali & MattTipos de ayuda y oportunidades de aprendizaje
Práctica de idiomasAyuda en proyectos ecológicosEnseñanzaJardineríaConstrucción y bricolajeCuidado de animalesAyuda en una granjaCuidado de niños y juegos creativosCocinar para toda la familiaAyuda domésticaMantenimiento generalIntercambio cultural y oportunidades de aprendizaje
Apart from exploring this beautiful part of France, you could also learn about animal care, organic vegetable growing, the English language! This is also a perfect place for people interested in forestry & woodwork and out of summer months, there could be some building going on.
Proyectos con niños
En este proyecto podría haber niños. Para obtener más información, consulta nuestras directrices y consejos aquí.
Ayuda
Our set up is best adapted to host a couple or 2 girlfriends. I am sorry, we do not have room for families at this time.
We like our helpers to have a friend to go exploring with and to enjoy their free time together so 2 people is perfect.
In the summer, we organise activities for guests and kids; things like walks with donkeys and stopping for a picnic, guided hikes, animal feeding tours every morning and lessons is taking care of animals. There will be help needed with animal care, taking our kids to the pool or possibly out somewhere if you want to, and doing light domestic chores (a bit of washing up after meals etc;). So the summer crew need to be fun, sociable, likes kids and animals and are domesticated. I enjoy having someone who likes to cook so we can enjoy cooking together. The summer is fun and you will meet some great people and have the opportunity to live in a pretty special place.
We can use just about any practical skills and can adapt jobs to peoples interests or skills. People who can speak French and English is helpful.
Spring and Autumn is retreat season for us and when we are busy, we can always use help around the farm, and with the animals, etc. We can always use help with all aspects of taking care of a large property, as well as growing vegetables; particularly in the Spring.
If you are interested in woodwork/forestry, there is plenty you could learn and help with there too.
Most of all we like positive, independent, practical and fun people who work well as part of a team but also enjoy some quiet time, and would enjoy sharing this wonderful place with us for 3 weeks- 2 months or more.
Best suited for a couple who have their own car who don't mind living remotely and enjoy nature, hiking etc.
PS: I am sorry we don't allow dogs as we have sheep, cats & chickens and don't want to put them at risk or disturb our guests with extra barking etc.Idiomas hablados
Inglés: Fluido
Francés: Fluido
Español: PrincipianteAlojamiento
We can offer a basic mobile home in a secluded spot with double bed, futon, South facing terrace, compost toilet and hot water shower, wood burning stove. It has a kitchenette with fridge. Comfy sofa on terrace. Wifi.
Over the winter when we are closed, we can offer one of our very comfortable gites.Algo más...
There are buses that go from the town 15 mins drive into Perpignan for 1 euro and we can offer lifts wherever we are going. There could be occasional use of a car (manual) when it's not needed (if you are over 25 for insurance reasons); but having your own car is best!
This location is ideal for walkers, mountain bikers & climbers and lovers of peace and nature. There are many beautiful villages and small towns up & down the valley to visit, all the way to the white sandy beaches on the coast of France & Spain. Collioure is 'our St Tropez' (1 hour drive), Ceret is our biggest local town (30 mins drive) which has a great Saturday market, art galleries, restaurants etc. Barcelona is 2 and a half hours drive away.Un poco más de información
Acceso a Internet
Acceso a Internet limitado
Tenemos animales
Somos fumadores
Puede alojar familias
Puede acoger a nómadas digitales
Yes; there is wifi in the accommodation.
¿Cuántos voluntarios puedes hospedar?
Dos
Horas esperadas
Maximum 4 hours a day, 5 days a week
Comentarios (10)
We spent the summer of 2022 experiencing our very first Workaway at the place, and let me tell you - it set the bar very, very high. From the moment we arrived, Ali and Matt made us feel right at home and a part of their beautiful family. Ali’s love for animals was infections and her spunky, upbeat personality made it… read more
We will never forget their HUGE and GENEROUS heart, their animals, the stunning view,… read more
Comentarios
Son opciones de calificación adicionales para cuando los miembros dejan sus comentarios. Se muestra la calificación media dejada en cada opción.
Precisión del perfil:
(5.0)
Intercambio cultural:
(5.0)
Comunicación:
(5.0)
We spent the summer of 2022 experiencing our very first Workaway at the place, and let me tell you - it set the bar very, very high. From the moment we arrived, Ali and Matt made us feel right at home and a part of their beautiful family. Ali’s love for animals was infections and her spunky, upbeat personality made it… read more
We will never forget their HUGE and GENEROUS heart, their animals, the stunning view,… read more
We would have stayed longer if we didn't have other things already planned, but we are already talking about going back. Ali, Matt, and the kids are lovely people, generous, interesting and inspiring. Working with them was really easy: they were always open to suggestions on what we could do. We loved chatting with them and… read more
We stayed 3 weeks in this amazing place, it is a little paradise for those who enjoy nature, mountains, animals...
We helped with several things : some gardening with Gina (Ali's, mother), general home care, taking children to the river, cooking for the family... Nigel (Ali's dad) taught Alan some… read more
Le travail était assez divers :… read more
Adam helped with… read more