Profile information
Host rating
85 %
Last replied
27 Feb 2024
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
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Details
Description
Born and brought up in the UK, I have lived most of my 63 years in France (with a 9 year period in NZ). In 2006 I converted an old winemaking barn into my home. This is my second eco construction (having previoulsy built an eco-lodge in NZ). I'm passionate about the environment and our local flora and fauna. My activities include being a professional translator, and have set up a non-profit organisation to promote nature tourism in this area of the Corbières Maritimes.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I am happy to help travellers with anything they want to know about French or British culture and traveling through France. As a B&B host, I can point travellers to all the great things to do in the area (Cathar castles, new Roman antiquities museum in Narbonne, Palace of the Kings of Mallorca in Perpignan, etc.).
Help
The property is not very old and in good condition - but there is always maintenance work to do. Much of the work to be done is general maintenance (sanding and oiling wooden worksurfaces, sanding and painting shutters, cleaning the wooden deck, etc.). There is also a bit of gardening. Rough pruning my pocket handkerchief of vines might also be helpful!
Ideally I would like to host a couple (or two friends) with previous experience of general maintenance/renovation/repair work and - and really only need help for 1- 2 weeks in Jan-Feb. Work hours/days can be flexible and work time grouped together to allow you whole days off to go exploring (e.g. whole day on then whole day off or two days on then two days off - rather than half days - but it's up to you!).
I enjoy meeting people of different nationalities and I look forward to hearing from you. I have had help of this kind before and can provide references. I would expect references from workawayers too!
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
Accommodation
This is an eco-friendly barn conversion constructed with mostly natural materials and has solar hot water and a heat pump with underfloor heating as well as a wood burner. Your accommodation will be in the comfortable ground floor guest bedrooms (1 double & 1 twin) and you will have your own bathroom. Meals and cooking are shared although I will provide all the ingredients, which are local/organic or both. There is a spacious lounge, a good selection of books and free wifi but I'm afraid I do NOT have a TV! However, we can always discuss how to put the world to rights over a glass of wine in the evenings - which is much better than TV anyway! I need my beauty sleep so would expect workawayers to be quiet after 10:30 - 11pm.
What else ...
This is a very unspoilt area with fabulous walking and birdwatching.
Our tiny village has no public transport, shops or any commerce of any kind, so your own transport is a bonus...
I'm afraid I will have limited time to take you sight seeing but I can tell you a lot about the surrounding area, where to go and what there is to see and do if you have your own transport. My house is located exactly half way between Narbonne and Perpignan and there is so much to explore including Cathar castles, cistercian abbeys, lots of lovely old villages and towns, walk on the beach (too cold to swim in Feb!), cycle along the canal.
I have two bicycles that you can use but be aware it is quite hilly around here!
Great windsurfing and kitesurfing in Leucate!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Recently installed fibre :-) with a connection of approx. 90Mbps up and down. One of the bedrooms could be easily turned into a workspace.
Space for parking camper vans
You can park your campervan / motorhome on my drive :-) - but you are welcome to stay in the house while you are here!
Can possibly accept pets
Am happy to have a well behaved dog to stay!
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 4-5 days a week
