Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
16 Jan 2023
Feedback
42
Email verified
Badges (2)
Details
Description
We are a nice, welcoming family of 6 happily settled on our smallholding in Landevennec, Finistere, Brittany. We, David and Samantha, are a laid-back, well travelled couple, looking forward to meeting other like minded people from around the world, as well as having a bit of extra help.
After 20 years in the forestry and tree surgery business, David now works as a handyman/groundskeeper. Samantha looks after the children, runs the smallholding and works part time as a gardener and english teacher.
Our aim is to live and run our smallholding in a respectful way to the environment, raising healthy organic produce using techniques such as permaculture and using natural and recycled materials as much as possible.
We produce the majority of our vegetables here, as well as enjoying the company of many furry family members!
This year we are starting work renovating some old stone barns, preserving the existing stonework, adding a wooden storey on top (hopefully incorporating round timber structure), a green roof, reed bed filter system for all wastes. The new wooden storey will be a gîte/holiday accomodation specialised for people with reduced mobility.
We try to maintain a healthy balance of work and play, enjoying quality time together exploring the peninsula and the numerous outdoor pursuits it has to offer.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Babysitting and creative play
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help with Eco Projects
Help around the house
Animal Care
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We embrace cultural exchange, enjoying the sharing of cultures, travel stories, meals etc. We are well integrated into the community enjoying local culture and events. We try to live as self sufficiently and low impact as possible, gaining many skills to do with animal rearing, vegetable production, foraging, land management (permaculture), house renovation etc.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We have a varied list of works required, if you can help with any of these please let us know.
Over the years we have gained many skills which we are happy to share as well as being eager to learn new ones.
*️️️️ We need help with the general maintenance and running of the smallholding; vegetable patch, fencing, tree felling, firewood and animal care.
*️️️️ During school holidays, childcare and help with the housework is needed.
*️️️️ We need help this year with the stonework, and groundworks of the old barns.
*️️️️ We are hoping to put in the reed beds this year.
*️️️️ We also need help with the refitting of a large caravan, which will then be guest/workawayer accomodation.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
Within our family home, double/twin bedroom with DVD player and beautiful view of the estuary. Shared family bathroom. Free WIFI. Or a large independant caravan when refitted!
What else ...
We live in a national park on a beautiful peninsula "the presqu'ile de Crozon", which has much to offer. Landevennec is a small picturesque village on the banks of the Aulne estuary (rade de Brest). From our doorstep are plenty of good walking and cycling trails, through the countryside, forest and along the coast. Good shore fishing and foraging too (oysters, clams, cockles ect.). We can lend bikes, canadian canoe and fishing gear.
Own transport is recommended, the peninsula offers many beautiful beaches, coastal paths, villages, market town and fishing ports. For the sporty there is great climbing, surfing, diving, horseriding, watersports etc. all nearby. During the Holiday season there are many small festivals, music events, entertainement and night markets in the area.
For those without transport, we can pick up at an agreed time from Brest train station or airport. However please note that Landevennec is a small, calm rural village.
We are a family of animal lovers and have many pets: 3 dogs, 2 cats, 2 donkeys, 4 goats, 2 pet pigs, chickens, rabbit and guinea-pig. We also try to eat healthily, mainly a plant-based whole-food diet.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week with some flexibility.
Feedback (19)
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.3)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Staying with this wonderful family in their incredible home was the best decision I could have made this summer.
The area is amazingly beautiful with all the beaches and its gorgeous scenery. But what really made my stay… read more
I helped taking care of the children, the animals, the garden etc.. I learned about organic gardening from Sam. And I was able to eat… read more
It was a pleasure to learn a little… read more
El lugar es maravilloso, lleno de naturaleza y paisajes increibles. Sam y David son geniales y estan siempre dispuestos a mostrarte lo mejos del lugar donde viven, nos llevaron a pescar, a… read more
Besides, for other workawayers: the location is beyond beautiful, surrounded by a natural park of… read more
