Profile information
Host rating
75 %
Last replied
19 Feb 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
17
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
I have a large old farmhouse and other buildings in the southern Charente with a hobby vineyard. Our location is a short cycle ride from a small town and within easy distance of many interesting activities. I am a sociable person, multi-skilled and successful, eager to pass on my engineering, building, and other life skills. My interests are broad-spectrum, there is never nothing going on. Accommodation is in the main house with a large double room with basic en suit facilities. Remember this is a 600-year-old French farmhouse. Wifi, cycles, canoe, and other boy's toys.
I look forward to a good sociable, working time and some fun.
This summer if unrestricted travel becomes possible again I will welcome visitors for up to two weeks each month.
Please contact me near your proposed arrival, booking too far ahead is too problematic.
I hope to be traveling myself some of each month this summer, so longer visits are impossible this year.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
This is a very interesting question. Backgammon for sure its a house game.
How and what else you will take away I'm not sure.
Hopefully, you will learn a great deal from this hugely successful person.
Help
This summer sees a continuation of renovations of a Petit Fermette and the production of a good wine vintage we hope. There are also other broad spectrum activities, all will help you develop in life. Working will be some vineyard and some building work. No experience is necessary training will be given. Your role will be helping an experienced craftsman and safety. You must be fit enough, I have had people who were not even able to ride a bike.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
A French farmhouse described by the locals as Le Grand Maison. Well, the family who owned the property and all the land around for 300 years plainly had money relative to what was a poor part of France. We have some modern basic luxuries but the accommodation is very French rural and to that end, we spend our evenings dining outside most nights on the terrace when it's warm enough. A great way to relax, after an active working day over a glass or two of the house red wine, a natural product with no added sulphites.
Following a bad experience, we do expect you to be reasonably fit,
e.g. able to ride a bike out, climb stairs, work etc
ALSO IMPORTANT, if you want to be a glutton/faddy eater, fridge raider, have dietary problems, go elsewhere.
We enjoy a varied Mediterranean type healthy diet, no exceptions. I'm not running a restaurant with a menu.
We have a policy of no mobile phones at the table or whilst working.
We also value our PRIVACY. NO posting pictures to social networks.
What else ...
The local village just two Kms away has good bars, friendly locals with some English influence and well connected folk.
A great village including a supermarket and a couple of restaurants. Within ten Kms is the fourth prettiest French village with lots happening in the evenings. There are a couple of largish towns within fifteen Kms. There is the river Dronne just three KMs away with river beaches and canoeing. Fifty Kms away is the Bordeaux area St Emilion. There are a great many green roads and walking/cycling is good. The very liberated Atlantic beaches are an easy drive away, they are huge with great sand dunes and undeveloped space and easy parking, a great day out with table facilities for picnicking.
The train station is 15kms away at Montmoreau and Chalais Angouleme is a good bit further.
We prefer the Chalais station option, as a last resort though we are happy to collect and drop off
elsewhere by agreement.
French trains are great value and fast.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
Basic facilities and a level private plot, yes you are most welcome
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (7)
Thank you so much for your hard work and enthusiasm and for passing on good information on viticulture.
You've raised the bar and next year I shall implement my newly acquired knowledge.
You would be most welcome back anytime. Do keep up the Backgammon you quickly became accomplished.
Good luck in life!
Happy days Guy
We shared a common interest or two and bounced information too and fro.
There is no limit to the dedication Stella showed to viticulture or
her keenness to work and learn about wine.
A very refreshing meeting and one I hope is followed up, for I have a lot to learn.
Regards Guy.
Exceedingly interested in all that is going on and hard working as well.
Arianna you are welcome back with us anytime.
Regards Guy and Dilys
Feedback
Thank you so much for your hard work and enthusiasm and for passing on good information on viticulture.
You've raised the bar and next year I shall implement my newly acquired knowledge.
You would be most welcome back anytime. Do keep up the Backgammon you quickly became accomplished.
Good luck in life!
Happy days Guy
We shared a common interest or two and bounced information too and fro.
There is no limit to the dedication Stella showed to viticulture or
her keenness to work and learn about wine.
A very refreshing meeting and one I hope is followed up, for I have a lot to learn.
Regards Guy.
Exceedingly interested in all that is going on and hard working as well.
Arianna you are welcome back with us anytime.
Regards Guy and Dilys
Seems a while since your enjoyable visit.
Dilys and I had a good time when you were here with us.
You were good value, fun and,
Thanks for all your hard work in the vines.
Shame it was all over so quickly
Fond regards Guy and Dilys
When you're not working you can… read more
You did so much for us and I have got got to praise you for it.
Five weeks just flew and so did our project.
A good all round experience for us, you would be welcome back.
Everything you do is organised energetic and just as you described yourself.
Anyway you are welcome… read more
Having the opportunity to take the bike out is amazing. One of the weekends I worked in order to have a 4 days off,… read more
Seems a long time since the vendage when you did a great job for us.
Your few days were an education, I learned a lot, especially the finesse
of the sommelier profession. Happy travels Guy
We enjoyed your visit greatly and you did a great job for us.
Seems a long time since summer, we both hope you will consider
a return visit at some time.
Regards Guy and Dilys
Dilys and I would welcome you all back anytime.
He is a good all round guy.
If you are contemplating hosting Vladimir and you don't you're nuts.
Thanks Vladimir keep in touch Guy
As a start, it was just amazing.
Their place is incredibly beautiful, peaceful and French rural!
Field of work was very diverse: reconstruction work in their 600 y.o. farm house, cultivating the wines, helping with horses, working with the hay.
But, working schedule and type is very light… read more
