Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
19 Apr 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
23
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
We are an English couple, retired but very active and living in a small hamlet in the Limousin. We have created a forest garden on 1 hectare of land, using organic and permaculture principles. We have very much an outdoor life but enjoy the work as much as the good food, wine and good company. We don't eat meat and can cater for gluten-free or vegan diets.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Phil speaks french as well as english so help with language may be offered. He has been a life-long organic gardener so can offer advice in most areas of veg and fruit growing but expecially compost making, novel mulching techniques and edble perennials. We both enjoy the company of both young or more elderly folk as well as intelligent and stimulating conversation. Phil especially has an interest in alternative education, Steiner, Goethe, homeopathy and "natural medicine" in general.
Phil parle le français et l'anglais, donc une aide linguistique peut être proposée. Il a toujours été un jardinier biologique et peut donc offrir des conseils dans la plupart des domaines de la culture des légumes et des fruits, mais surtout dans la fabrication du compost, les nouvelles techniques de paillage et les plantes vivaces. Nous apprécions tous deux la compagnie de personnes jeunes ou plus âgées ainsi qu'une conversation intelligente et stimulante. Phil s'intéresse particulièrement à l'éducation alternative, à Steiner, à Goethe, a l'homeopahie et "medicine douce" en général.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We have a range of projects to suit most ages and abilities. These are season-dependant but include clearing gorse and brambles using scythes and other tools; some hedge laying, planting trees and maintaining the vegetable patch. We are also creating terraces and a range of types of raised bed, Hugel beds or "cultures en lasagne" or "buttes" as the french call them and the building of dead hedges.
Nous avons une gamme de projets pour répondre à la plupart des âges et capacités. Elles dépendent de la saison, mais comprennent le défrichage des ajoncs et de ronciers en utilisant de faux et d'autres outils; le plessage d'haies, la plantation d'arbres et l'entretien du potager. Nous sommes également en train de créer des terrasses et une gamme de types de lit surélevé, lits Hugel ou «culture en lasagne" et et la construction de haies seches.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
Una and I are both keen to improve our spoken french
Accommodation
Comfortable timber cabin with 2 bunk beds and wood stove for cooler months and solar-powered lighting.
Alternatively there is space for camping.
Cabane en bois confortable avec 2 lits superposés et un poêle à bois pour les mois les plus frais et un éclairage à l'énergie solaire. Alternativement, il y a un espace pour camper.
What else ...
This area is rural annd quiet but not remote- we are just a few miles away from a thriving small town with weekly market, train station and excellent facilities. Pleasant cycling and/or walking area; swimming lakes and more hilly terrain both about 10 miles away. You are welcome to borrow one or two of our bikes to investigate the local area- St Junien for instance is a pleasant 45 mins ride away.
Cette région est rurale et calme mais pas isolée - nous sommes à quelques kilomètres d'une petite ville prospère avec un marché hebdomadaire, une gare et d'excellentes installations. Agréable zone de cyclisme et/ou de marche ; lacs de baignade et terrain plus vallonné, tous deux à une dizaine de kilomètres. Vous pouvez emprunter un ou deux de nos vélos pour explorer la région - St Junien, par exemple, est à 45 minutes de route.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
Parking for small camper-van
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Feedback (10)
They have a simplistic lifestyle which inspired me deeply. Phil and Una prepared delicious vegetarian dishes every day and basically… read more
Una and Phil
We helped in the woodland from the morning until afternoon with coffee break and lunch plus supper at night. The food was so delicious, Phil & Una know how to… read more
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(5.0)
They have a simplistic lifestyle which inspired me deeply. Phil and Una prepared delicious vegetarian dishes every day and basically… read more
Una and Phil
We helped in the woodland from the morning until afternoon with coffee break and lunch plus supper at night. The food was so delicious, Phil & Una know how to… read more
Phil
The week I was there was mostly preparing for the event he had coming up on the weekend / preparing for winter- so that meant re-digging paths & trenches, making temporary roofing and leaves.
I worked mostly alone, but It was a… read more
In terms of organisation Phil had everything sorted, he knew in advance what had to be done, gave us clear instructions and let us work in autonomy every time and working times were always respected.
Work consisted mainly in… read more
Phil and Una
I had a nice time helping as I could in this beautiful garden of yours.
You are a really nice and committed couple
I hope your ideas and projects will soon be spread and adopted all around the world
That's the only way we could finally make the world a better place to live ...
Take care and keep on growing… read more
A Sallas, on prend le temps de bien faire les choses sans se brusquer. Quand on a un petit coup de mou, on prend un flapjack et c'est reparti. On est toujours aux petits soins (surtout l'estomac) et on apprécie l'air pur et… read more
Le Quentin 2019 est le dernier modele - ca roule vite avec une intelligence naturelle et ca s'amuse tout seul- sans radio, meme sans ecrans! Le Q19 est vraiment incroyable- sa fait de la musique sur un truc electronique et ca… read more
Meeting people like Phil and Una can only be an enriching experience and I wish you both good luck with the house and the garden!
see you soon when I get back!
Have a great time in Australia and know that you are always welcome to pop in when you around Frane again
I loved my stay with Phil and Una – this is a couple who are truly walking their talk, living their life of voluntary simplicity with deep commitment. I learned lots at their place in Sallas, including how to use a simple tool, a bunyip, to trace out contours in preparation for installing drainage ditches, and for creating a level area for a… read more
