Profile information
Host rating
90 %
Last replied
30 Jul 2021
Feedback
25
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
We are in URGENT need of HELP.
We are Madeleine and Tony who live in South West France at the edge of a small medieval village called Tillac (pronouncet "TEE-AK"). We have 1.3 hectares (about 4 acres) of gardens, including 2 gites (holiday homes) with swimming pool in 2,500 m2 of their own gardens. We have a four year old rescue dog, Darci. She is a Labrador cross, young, playful and loving.
We both have xtensive arthritis and cannot cope alone. Are you good at heavy garden work ? It would be very handy if you have experience in the use of a strimmer/brushcutter and the usual gardening tools. The work involves maintaining trees and shrubs, weeding, cleaning out the lake, etc. and will involve digging and other heavy work. So able-bodied people are needed. Experienced gardeners particularly welcome.
We have recently agreed a sale of our house for completion at the end of September so we need help preparing the house for handover then. Also we need assistance in preparing the gites for occupancy during the Summer.
We are an English-speaking household so if you want to brush up your French, we are NOT the hosts for you.
We are looking for one or two people who can share a bedroom with en-suite facilities in our renovated 120+ year old house. Please check our calendar to find out when we have vacancies but we have an urgent need for assistance NOW - 2-4 weeks minimum.
People with their own transport would be particularly well suited as we are out in the country and we can not always promise to take you on exploration trips. Workawayers from the UK would need to prove they have had both vaccinations in order to enter France.
Tillac is a pretty medieval village in the heart of the rolling Gascon countryside. It lies between two small towns - Marciac, home to the International Jazz Festival, and Mirande. There is little night life in the village, except the bar/restaurants but nearby Marciac does offer bars, restaurants and a cinema that can handle 3D films and does show some English language films. There are also various musical events in Tillac and Marciac.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Elderly Companionship
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Life in rural France.
Help
We are looking for people with practical skills who are willing to make a notable contribution. In the gardens (which include a lake of 1,000 m2) we are looking for assistance in the maintenance of the lawn, potager (vegetable patch), trees, shrubs and flower beds.
We also need housekeeping/decorating assistance in our house and the gites. This include help in our main house (a traditional Gascon farmhouse from about 1840), refreshing the decoration of some of the rooms inside our house and some decorating inside and outside the gite.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
German: Beginner
Accommodation
In return for assistance, we can offer accommodation in our own house.
What else ...
Tillac, where we live, is a small but beautiful medieval village set in gentle rolling countryside. It has a general store and 2 bar/restaurants. It is at the mid-point of a triangle formed by three other somewhat larger villages, Mirande, Marciac and Mielan. The Pyrenees are 1.5 hrs. away, Biarritz and the Atlantic coast 2 hrs., Toulouse 1.5 hrs. and the Mediterranean coast about 3.5 hours away. This is "La France Profonde".
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have VDSL 2 connectivity and can arrange for WiFi connection for digital nomads.
Space for parking camper vans
We have plenty of space to accommodate campervans/mobile homes
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
5 hours per day each, five day week or equivalent depending on team requirements.
Feedback (19)
Madeleine,… read more
Madeleine enjoys her cooking and I enjoyed eating her food, she is a very giving and caring person. And I have to… read more
We were treated to wonderful cooking and Hayley’s vegetarian diet was accommodated… read more
Photos
Feedback
Madeleine,… read more
Madeleine enjoys her cooking and I enjoyed eating her food, she is a very giving and caring person. And I have to… read more
We were treated to wonderful cooking and Hayley’s vegetarian diet was accommodated… read more
We can fully recommend him to all Workaway… read more
The place, Tillac, is very welcoming, often hiking trails each week, the neighbors are very friendly, it was an unforgettable experience.
Les, thanks so much for doing the electrics in our loft conversion and, of course, struggling against all odds, virtually completing the insulation, plaster boarding and finishing in preparation for sealing and skimming. You fought against tight time… read more
Thank you for our first 'Workaway' opportunity. It was a fulfilling and valuable lesson for both of us. We are eternally grateful for your generosity, patience and understanding. You both have taught us a lot about people, plants, food and bed-making (!) that we can take to our next destination.
Keep the… read more
Madeleine is a fantastic cook and we particularly enjoyed… read more
You are one of the best Workawayers that we have ever had. It was a delight to host you and to become friends. As well as the gardening, the work that you did on painting the front of the house was superb (and overcoming your fear of heights into the bargain). We are looking forward to seeing you again later in the year.
We… read more
However do bear in mind that you will have to provide 2 meals a day for yourself and to check that you have… read more
With the important workaway community that has formed around the area, in addition to the beautiful and calm… read more
