Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
18 Mar 2025
Reply rate
66.7 %
Usually responds within 2 days
Feedback
11
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
We are Harriet and Mike, a couple in our 30s newly settled in the Haute-Vienne, France (originally from the UK). We work as a counsellor/tutor (Harriet) and a handyman/gardener (Mike) and are in the process of renovating a house and aiming to be more self-sufficient. We have chickens, geese and a cat already and have lots of plans for how to develop this place. We are always happy to talk all things renovation/eco, practice our French (and share our English), cook and eat together, enjoy the beautiful countryside and wild swimming opportunities when it's good weather and play board games when it's not! There is always a range of activities going on here to get involved with and some beautiful places to explore. We work hard as there is lots to get through, however we also know balance is important so your time off is your own. We look forward to meeting you!
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We live in a small hamlet in the rural Haute-Vienne. We have friendly neighbours who are happy to chat (great if you want to practice your French) and we are happy to help with your English. We love to cook and share our favourite recipes. This part of France is beautiful to explore.
Help
We have lots to do here, renovating our house and outbuildings, gardening and veg growing, caring for our chickens and geese. We can usually find something to suit your skills and are especially happy to hear from you if you've got previous carpentry/roofing/ DIY/ stone working/ building experience. We have just finished building a rocket mass heater and are moving onto focussing on internal renovation (insulating, plaster-boarding, building stairs, installing a kitchen and bathroom, wood work etc). There are also external jobs too (tree planting in March and later in the year building/repairing walls in stone and cob, pointing walls, fixing roofs).
We are always on the look out for hard workers who are happy to share their energy as we work through these projects. I've got a chronic illness so an extra pair of hands (or 2) to help Mike is always really appreciated.
We are also on the lookout for someone who would be happy to housesit and look after the animals at various points over the year.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
We love living in France and try to speak as much as we can to improve. We are at an intermediate level and would love to become more fluent. We'd happily chat in French/English and can help with your English if you'd like.
Accommodation
This work-away opportunity will really suit you if you have a van and want somewhere to have as a base while you explore the beautiful area. We also have a spare room in our house if you don't have a van. We are happy to discuss lengths of stay to suit your needs, from short term to longer term. You are always welcome to come for a week or so to start with and see how you find it.
We love to cook and eat together. If you'd like to share your favourite recipes we'd love to learn! Our place will suit you if you are independent and like your own company or for couples who would like a bit of their own space. We are often busy doing our own thing in the evenings, so other than working and eating together, your time is yours to hang out in your own space, raid the bookshelves or enjoy a walk and cycle in the beautiful countryside!
What else ...
This is a beautiful area to explore. The closest town with train station is Bellac, with links to Limoges and Poitiers and on to Paris. We have bikes you can use while you're here to explore the countryside. Having your own vehicle is recommended so you can go in and out of Bellac and see the beautiful places nearby. We have been workawayers ourselves and know how important it is to feel at home as you explore a new place. We are grateful for any help you can give us and in return will do what we can for our place to feel like a home from home. We aren't party animals, I'm a friendly introvert who is very happy curled up with a book (there are a couple of nice calm spots for this in the house) and our village is very peaceful and quiet! Our home is warm and welcoming, the countryside is beautiful and we love getting to know new people.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
We have a strong internet connection and you'd be welcome to work while you are here.
Space for parking camper vans
Our place is perfectly suited for you if you have a van. We have a courtyard you would be welcome to park up in and can fill water etc. We know from experience those little things help with van-life!
Can possibly accept pets
We'd be happy to chat about you bringing your pets. We do have Reggie the cat so dogs would have to be happy with him.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Feedback (5)
There is plenty to do as their place is a work in progress. I was mostly chopping wood or helping to move… read more
The work was hard at times, but always varied and interesting, with a cup of tea never too far away. We learned so many skills from Mike and Harriet, pointing walls, gardening, cob construction, cleaning and retiling a… read more
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
There is plenty to do as their place is a work in progress. I was mostly chopping wood or helping to move… read more
The work was hard at times, but always varied and interesting, with a cup of tea never too far away. We learned so many skills from Mike and Harriet, pointing walls, gardening, cob construction, cleaning and retiling a… read more
