House maintenance and gardening or dog sitting in Aquitaine, France

  • Favourited 23 times
  • Last activity: 28 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: 1 week or less

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    We are Nigel and Jane, an Energetic English couple in our 60's and we moved from to south west France about 5 years ago, from Normandy. We have been in this wonderful country for 15 years now. We live with our 2 dogs , a border collie and a pure bred mongrel! We have almost finished renovating our farmhouse slowly and also have a lot to do on the 2.5 hectares of neglected land as well. However, we also like to take time out to spend a little time with our neighbours and to enjoy this unspoiled part of the country. We are very lucky here as we have beautiful forests on our doorstep, the ocean, with endless beaches, fantastic for surfing as well as swimming, and the Pyrenees to the south, all within easy reach. The Spanish border is 1.5 hours away, Bordeaux is 2 hrs and Toulouse 3 hrs. We are at the crossroads of the Gascon, Basque, French and Spanish cultures, and you will all of these languages spoken around here, a great mix of cultures. We look forward to meeting and sharing our home and ideas with a suitable person or couple.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We are willing to pass on any construction skills that we have, in particular French electrical installation as I am a qualified electrician, but lots of other things too. We speak English and French and will be happy to develop your skills in that area. Nigel was an art teacher and would love to help, or work with, any budding artists in their spare time. A great way to relax after work. Cooking is also an interest where we can share recipes and skills , it's always good to try something new. We are happy to share our evenings with you or leave you to do your own thing, as you prefer. We can give you the occasional lift and you are always welcome to jump in the car with us if we are going out. However your own transport would be very useful. We can advise on the great things to do or see in the area, and if you have a special interest, let us know before you come and we will do some research for you.

  • Projects involving children

    Projects involving children

    This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

  • Help

    Help

    We are looking for help with the the final bits of external renovation. So you will need to have some maturity, skill and strength for this, though we are willing to teach. We could slo use help outdoors, felling trees and wood cutting, bramble clearance, fencing and generally tidying up. Carpentry skills would also be useful for making shutters and building a cart-port. We would expect you to keep your own room clean and tidy and a bit of general mucking in with keeping shared living space housework.

  • Languages spoken

    English: Fluent
    French: Fluent

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    You would living in our house in a newly finished double or twin bedroom. You would have your own new toilet, basin and shower all to yourselves. In the summer you can use our tent if you prefer. We also have a small one that you could take off camping, if you so wished. We will provide meals with us and are hope you will join in with the food preparation from time to time We would take your food preferences into account. You can have free access to the internet which is not bad here. . We do not allow smoking in the house but its fine outside as long as you pick up your butts. We have quite eclectic music tastes but would need you to respect any requests for quiet time.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    There is no public transport from our village but from about 3Km away there is a minimal bus service that links to the town of Dax and Saint Sever and the villages in between. From these towns there are good train and bus services to explore further afield. Blabla Car is also active in the area and can be a very cheap way of getting about. We can lend you bikes to get about locally. The nearest bakery, store and bar/cafe is 2Km. Cinema, various groups and classes, such as yoga, supermarket shops and weekly market at 5Km. Our village does have various events that you could join . The area offers a multitude of outdoor activities from Easter to the end of October. Surfing, sailing and all the ocean related sports, gorgeous beaches for lounging and tanning. The forests offer peace and wildlife, with many trails, organised walks or just get lost on your own. There are some stunning lakes and river walks too. If you are into wine, come and discover the local Chalosse and Tursan vineyards and wines. The history of the area is long and varied so there are interesting museums, churches (our own village church is a little gem) and chateaux to visit. The Pyrenees are within easy reach and offer different experiences, depending upon the season. Dax is a hot spa town with history going back to roman times. Visits to the cities of Bayonne, Bordeaux and San Sebastian, are a must. They are culturally so very different from each other.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    up to 7M parking on gravel in winter and grass min summer

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    We have 2 female dogs so another dog is ok but no cats, birds or anything else they can eat!

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Host ref number: 419793932463

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