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85 %
Last replied
28 Aug 2018
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Description
Hi future friends! My daughter (18yrs old), 2 very friendly dogs & I have been blessed to move into a lovely property in the rural countryside in Dordogne, France.
We are vegetarian, I am gluten-free & can cater for vegan/dairy-free diets. We live in a stunning area of France, close to the Charente/Dordogne border, and summer is arguably the best time of year to come and see it. The weather can be HOT but there are lots of rivers and lakes nearby to cool off in, we have a small river that runs along the edge of the property too. There are plenty of concerts and other events going on in the evenings. The scenery & architecture around us is stunning. There are many café's & places to visit with castles, churches & history at every turn! It is a favourite tourist region for holiday makers. There are weekly markets in Riberac, our nearest town, all year round. We go to as many of these things as we can.
We are English speaking but are learning French & have French family members & friends who live very nearby so there is plenty of daily opportunities to practise your language skills in both french and english! I am very family oriented, so spend a lot of time hanging out with them. I have 7 grand-childen now. You will be welcomed by us all. There is electricity, plumbing & fast wifi here already in most of our house, but need help to complete building work & upgrade the other half to create more available space for the association to use- this is what I need help with!! The accomodation I'm offering is a bit rustic (it is in the countryside in the South of France after all!) But it is very comfortable. There is a huge garden to find a peaceful spot with hammocks under the trees. Lots of out-buildings aswell.
I am looking for help with finishing plumbing in an extra bathroom which is needed for guests like you. Maybe some plaster-boarding, painting and decorating, possibly taking down a wall if you fancy, making a window, fixing up & general improvements. Gardening is my big priority- I need help fencing the property planting hedging, starting a big vegetable patch. Any input here would be most helpful, it is pretty much a blank canvas so would love your ideas for planting or making zones, sculptures , pathways or whatever inspires you. I have an old water pump system from river to main house and a couple of outside taps that could be used to irrigate the garden. I also dream of building a giant tree house if that interests you!! Potential to creat a green pool too?! There's lots to do to suit different skills and interests. I just can't do it all on my own and would love to share this site with others. Any visions and ideas most welcome.
My over-all goal is to create a place for under-privaleged teenagers & young people to come on holiday.
We are a light-hearted, open family who enjoy company, playing games, cooking, eating, meditating, walking, celebrating & being! We will you and offer a special experience living with us & joining in, to whatever extent you like, with our lives & projects!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Living in a small, rural french hamlet is like going back in time!! It is peaceful, romantic, soulful! There are many incredible sights to see & places to visit nearby. The local community is friendly & welcoming. You can practice any level of French or English language here. There is so much wildlife all around, the days and nights are filled with birdsong and sounds of nature. Lying on the giant trampoline star gazing and listening to the frog chorus and nightingale is a memorable expérience. Beautiful walks and bike- rides from our door-step. Rivers, lakes and even pools to swim & canoe, paddle board in. Cultural places of interest and beauty close by. We are surrounded by great restaurants, bars and cafés. Small festivals in summer too. I like to go to as many of these as possible. My daughter is a potter who runs courses 5 minutes away, so playing with clay is an option. Her family also keep bees. I am a felter so can teach you some skills with wool. I am also an energetic healer which I am open to offering and teaching. I have a few instruments waiting to be played, I would love to learn to drum. I am really looking forward to sharing experiances, wisdom and creativity with others from around the world, I can't wait to open my door to you.. 🙂
Help
Mostly I need help from folk who are good at general stuff. Some wood-work skills would be great- there's lots of old oak desperate to be put to use here! I have family members in trades to do any major work. I would love help completing the plumbing, which is nearly done, to provide an extra bathroom for guests. Painting and decorating, demolition! Fencing & hedge-planting, creating vegetable garden. Dreaming of tree house and green pool!! Making a dry toilet and solar heated shower. Nearly all of the work will be a bit physical to some extent, but we will take a plunge in the river or lie in a hammock when energy flags. I have a lot of organising/ decluttering/ re-arranging to do for which extra eyes and ideas would be so helpful. I am not very good with computers so help with IT would be nice. I'm looking for motivated, energetic, inspiring people to share ideas and skills, to work alongside, with music on, making it all much more fun to do.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
I am a native english speaker. I can communicate in french but very much want to improve.
Accommodation
I can offer 2 cosy rooms on the first floor. 1 room currently has a double bed and a single plus extra small space adjoining with another single bed in (this could become an office if you like.) The 2nd has 2 double beds in with desk. There is plenty of storage space available and required furniture can be provided or removed as required. As these rooms are upstairs in the house which is being done-up at the moment so you would have privacy. There is a shower room available to share & 2 toilets. Workawayers will, of course, be welcome to use the house as their home. There is a door you can use to come & go privately. There is plenty of parking if needed & possible use of my car. There are also a couple of bicycles here. I cook a big vegetarian meal with gluten-free option & dessert every evening to which you would be most welcome. You would need to be self-sufficient for most breakfasts and lunches though. There are bakeries & supermarkets within cyclable distance. Free to use kitchen & help with food preparation if liked!
Wifi and Netflix available.
If you prefer a more glamping style experience, I have a 4 meter bell tent available.
What else ...
In your free time there is lots to explore locally on foot, bicycle (we can lend), car (use of mine), train (nearest station just over half hr away). We get together regularly with family & friends for shared meals, beach picnics & evenings to which you will be most welcome. I now have 7 grand-children, if you like to join in with little ones. You can go to a selection of bars, café's & restaurants for French cuisine, conversation & ambiance. There are galleries to visit in nearby towns & cities along with the incredible architecture & heritage all around. I like to visit the prehistoric caves nearby. It is possible to swim & canoe in local waters. Floating down the river is my favourite thing to do! Rural, beautiful, peaceful, recharging environment for a taste of France. Once people have found this enchanting area of France they just keep coming back or move here permenantly- like me and my family! 😁
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
I am a self employed artist- mainly working with felt. I am also an energy healer. I work from home. I have extra studio spaces & decent internet service.
Space for parking camper vans
I have a large field adjacent to small river. The land is in front of main house but there is electricity and covered area away from main property. Potential to build dry toilet.
Can possibly accept pets
I already have 2 very friendly dogs.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 4 days a week
