Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
30 Dec 2023
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100.0 %
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Details
Description
Update: we are looking for people with lots of energy and willing to work on inside and outside jobs throughout the year. We would welcome anyone with decorating / building / carpentry experience or willing to learn. We also have lots of garden jobs - weeding / strimming / tidying and looking after the veggie patch. You will need a car or at least a driving licence (we would be willing to lend our car) as we are remote and it will be essential for you to be able to get out and about in the local area.
We are a couple of ex-teachers originally from the UK, with 2 lovely lurchers, living in a small village in the Hautes Pyrenees - Sariac-Magnoac - just over the border from Gers. We are currently restoring our château - a former monastery - and creating 3 gites for holiday rental, as well as our permanent home.
In a former life, we both worked with disadvantaged children and young people with special needs in the UK, so we have a real interest in the area of mental health and wellbeing. Eventually, our aim is to offer a relaxing and welcoming space for families and young people dealing with mental health difficulties or SEND.
We offer a relaxed and fun place to stay, with plenty of variety in a quiet rural setting.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We offer a relaxed village life, living the way we do. We are French-speaking and can offer language lessons (if you like!) as well as wonderful views of the countryside, including the Pyrenees themselves.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We have 8 acres of land split into several fields and a lovely woodland garden, as well as a very overgrown path down to the river Gers. We are looking for help with the following projects:
- general grounds maintenance: cutting back overgrown areas, weeding, mowing, digging and planting - we have machines to help (strimmer/brush cutter/ride-on mower/tractor etc)
- if it's raining, we may ask for help with indoor projects like clearing and decorating
You will be helping alongside us while we do the work - we will ask you for some strong help but we won't ask you to do anything we would not be doing ourselves.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
German: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
I speak French and English and a little Spanish but am always happy to learn.
Accommodation
We can offer a double, twin or single room with private bathroom in our recently renovated house. Kitchen and living room facilities are shared and we have a lovely outdoor terrace and garden with great views for when the weather is good.
What else ...
We love travelling ourselves, Howard loves his motorbike trips and will be looking forward to going out on rides to discover more about the local area, whilst Ali has visited many countries and speaks several languages.
Our village is small but very international and very friendly. Many of the villagers have lived there all their lives and remember the chateau from their childhood. Everyone we have met has been excited at the thought of it being restored back to life as it is a bit neglected and unloved.
Sariac-Magnoac is a wonderful place to explore the local area, including Gers and the Hautes Pyrenees. There is a small local market on Saturdays in Castelnau-Magnoac (7 mins away) as well as a beautiful lake for swimming etc. Further afield, there are several more lakes for water sports, plenty of beautiful old towns and lovely countryside for walking.
We are 1h 15 from Toulouse, 3 hours from Bordeaux and 30 mins from the foothills of the Pyrenees - for the skiers, we are 1h from the nearest ski resort. So plenty to do including mountain-biking, parachuting, climbing, watersports, hiking, skiing etc.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have fibre internet on site which means that we have excellent wifi.
Space for parking camper vans
We have several fields available to park a van if necessary and all facilities available in the main house.
Can possibly accept pets
We can accept well-behaved dogs (but please note we have 2 dogs ourselves!).
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (5)
Not only were Ali and Howard incredibly hospitable and generous, but they were both highly intellectual and funny! We were never short of a good conversation (especially about our favourite foods...) and as a solo female traveller, I felt supported and safe staying… read more
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Not only were Ali and Howard incredibly hospitable and generous, but they were both highly intellectual and funny! We were never short of a good conversation (especially about our favourite foods...) and as a solo female traveller, I felt supported and safe staying… read more
I spend a total of six weeks, during the lockdown, together with Alison and Howard. And after that time I can say, I made some really good friends.
Enjoyed every day. Absolutely great.
What have I done?
A lot of work outside. Cutting trees, cleaning out the barn, trimming brushes, digging out roots (I felt a lot of… read more
