Area: Lower Normandy

** We are looking for help with gardening and shed repair during June** We are a Kiwi family living in historic Normandy, renovating our amazing 400+ year old farmhouse whilst perfecting our French and generally immersing ourselves in French life. We are returning the house to it's traditional majestic beauty by reinstating the thatched roof and exposing it's stone and oak features, whilst at the same time adding modern twists of glass, metal and bold colour, and the occasional 'kiwi twist'. We are a couple who have travelled and worked in many different countries and enjoy learning about different cultures. Here in France, we have a simple but good life enjoying the outdoors in our pool, jacuzzi, trampoline, kids play area, etc. We are in the countryside just outside an active village, our 6 year old son goes to the local school (a 3.5km cycle to the center of town), we're close to all the historic D-day sites, actually on the D-day 'route-de-libertie', the evocative Abbaye d'Hambye is 5 mins away, it's 40 mins to the famous Le Mont St Michel, and we have easy access to port and airport connections to the UK etc. We're in the midst of an extenstive ecological project to rethatch and insulate our chaumiere. This involves many preparatory phases such as paving and decking terrassing and drainage, exterior insulation, lime repointing and double glazing. Additionally we are in the midst of many other projects - the construction of oak spiral stairs and mezzanine extension; instillation of wooden kitchen worktops and repair of 300 yr old o ak flooring; planting of a New Zealand garden; and several craft projects includingthe polynesian/celtic inspired carved facing boards for the new thatch roof (a great project for anyone with a passion for wood carving / wood carver). We use natural traditional products where ever possible and have a simple organic vegetable garden and we are looking for enthusiastic generally capable people who would enjoy helping us in exchange for access to this fantastic part of France. We are of course happy to assist those wishing to improve their French and/or cultural understanding of France and assist you with access to tourist sights where we can.

Area: New South Wales

We are a painter and a sculptor who live and work from our waterfront home and studio on Dangar Island. We have three small children aged 8,7 and 3 years. Dangar island is situated 1hr north of Sydney by train or car and is boat assess only. The ferry runs every hour. We are keen permaculture gardeners, and have a garden filled with paintings & sculptures in amongst the fruit trees. We have a variety of subtropical fruit trees planted, happy chickens & a healthy vegetable patch. Work includes gardening, weeding, building garden paths & sheds, tree planting, maintenance of vegetable garden, making sculptures and art reproductions, painting buildings and whatever else we have to do. Must have a sense of humour and be prepared to have fun while working. Usual stay is about a week to start, however longer stays are negotiable after first few days. Although building, painting and landscaping skills would be nice the most important thing is that you are WILLING to work. We are happy to teach you new skills provided you are willing to make the effort. We have canoes and rowboats and in your spare time you are welcome to go exploring or fishing on the river estuary. Lots of great hiking and bushwalks in the surrounding national parks. Would be very happy to host Spanish, Japanese or Chinese speakers as I need to practice these languages. Must be a non smoker. We can also host couples and possibly even one or two small children too for short stays.

Area: North East 45 k north of Veliko Tarnovo

There is myself, my husband Neville and seven various dogs all rescue dogs, very excitable but very lovely. So it's a good idea that you really do like dogs. Oh and we have one cat that pops home every now and then. He has only three legs. We need help to weed that garden, clear a field, help with erecting a fence and maybe some painting..Also some cooking if you feel like it. Any help at all , doing anything that needs to be done. We have a small bedroom with two single beds, and although we are not great cooks we do manage to survive.I am good at Baked Beans on Toast ,,,if I don't burn the beans!!! Neville was very ill earlier this year and is not quite up to being able to do some of the work that he could do before. he is trying hard but is struggling...so we could do with a bit of ! If you feel that you could spare us a week or even two we would be forever grateful.... Sushitsa is a small agricultural village,Nine shops, a library, post office, doctior's surgery and dental practice. There are three buses a day but at night it is a taxi which are cheap and reliable. We have English TV as well as Bulgarian..also the internet

Area: Hessen

Hello, looking for someone who wants to live a few weeks / months / years with us. We have a small separate apartment for you and the chance to go to Marburg every morning. Marburg is a city with a beautiful mui largest university and many students and there coursos language. I (39) and son (6 years) live in an old mill with some animals (horses, dogs, cats, galinas, etc.). We would be happy to have help at home, outside in the garden or with animals. We would like also to practice Spanish. So long, Susann Hola, buscamos una persona que quiere vivir algunos semanas/ meses/ anos con nosotros. Tenemos un pequeno apartamiento separado para ti y la posibilidad de ir a Marburg cada manana. Marburg es una mui bonita ciudad con una grande universidad y muchos estudiantes y hay coursos de idiomas. Yo (39) y mi hijo (6 anos) vivimos en un molino antiguo con algunos animales (caballos, perro, gatos, galinas, etc.) Nos alegraríamos por ayuda en casa, afuera en el jardin o con los animales. Ademas gustaríamos practicar espanol. Hasta pronto, Susann

Area: Andalucia

I have a large cortijo in the Andalusian countryside that I'd like to turn into a yoga/meditation centre among other things. I've had the house since 1974 and it was always used as a family holiday home but now my family are all grown up and the house doesn't get used as much as it deserves. There's 50,000m2 of land to tender and I'd very much like to create a herb garden and veggie patch so we can provide good, home grown food for guests. The house is 9km from the nearest town and is set adjacent to a natural park. The scenery is stunning and there are lots of great walks so would suit a real country lover. There is internet access via satellite but no TV (yet) just lots of books.