Beschreibung
We live in a medieval château in the deep rural countryside of south west France, on a hilltop that overlooks rolling vineyards, hills and forests all the way to the Pyrenees mountains. Its a gloriously beautiful area, somewhat reminiscent of Tuscany but not as dry. Having only been here for two years we are working hard to develop our 6 hectars of beautiful undulating land. We have ponds and pools, orchards and woodlands, veggie gardens and meadows. I live here with my husband, (a software programmer working from home), my son (an active 11 year old), my elderly parents, one large dog and three semi feral cats.

We have planted orchards and hedges, veggie beds and mixed permaculture style gardens, we make compost and mow lawns, weed and clean, we harvest fruits and veggies for the table and the larder, and we cook a lot.

We love to cook and garden, paint and read, meditate and dance. Going out on occasion to enjoy local restaurants, lakes, markets, festivals and museums.

For the most part though we work - building and maintaining trails through our woodlands, pruning plants, hedges and trees, planting and preparing fire wood for winter, monitoring and cleaning the pool and adjacent orangery.

We have developed a lovely seasonal gite, in the old bakery, and have lots of other buildings that we continue to cultivate with the intention of creating more seasonal rentals and event spaces. We employ local artisans to help us with the electrical, plastering and plumbing tasks associated with larger ongoing renovation projects. Our workawayers will not be working in the Gite or with its guests, but there are so many other tasks and projects.

Projects range from daily household tasks like cleaning and laundry, and weekly garden tasks like making compost, mowing and weeding - to renovations and landscape help.

Specifically we are currently building a new overflow pond in our west meadow to capture water escaping from the larger pond above. We are removing and replacing old rotten planks and joists in the orangery and 12th century chapel and we are are building new trails.
Arten von Hilfe und Lernmöglichkeiten
Kunstprojekte
Sprachpraxis
Hilfe bei Ökoprojekten
Gartenarbeiten
Heimwerker- und Bauarbeiten
Zubereiten / Kochen von Mahlzeiten für die Familie
Hausarbeiten
Handwerkliche Arbeiten
Kultureller Austausch und Lernmöglichkeiten
We are a very sociable family and enjoy meeting new people. We also like our quiet time and hope that you enjoy a little peace and quiet also.
I'm an experienced chef, writer and gardener but always learning, and happy to teach. I have studied permaculture and homeopathy, art, natural remedies, taught meditation, yoga, dance and body work.

We are all learning to speak French, and appreciate people to learn from or with.

My husband is a computer programer and dj, meditator, cook and gardener. He has a busy schedule and works from his home office - quietly hidden away for much of the day.
My elderly parents are retired, and enjoy new company. My mum is an artist and art teacher. She spends her days painting, relaxing and reading. Dad cleans dishes, tells stories and ferries everyone around to their respective appointments.

As a household we are spiritual but not religious, intellectual and curious, artsy and creative. At times we are boisterous and playful, chatting loudly, entertaining guests and playing music, dancing in the kitchen and sharing our day. More often though we are quiet - appreciating the moving beauty of our surroundings or diligently engaged in our respective pursuits.
Projekte mit Kindern
Dieses Projekt schließt möglicherweise den Umgang mit Kindern ein. Mehr Informationen findest du in unseren Verhaltensregeln und Tipps hier.
Arbeit
There are lots of different tasks to do here, depending on your skills and preference.

If you like to be outdoors you are welcome to join us as we garden and landscape, mow, strim, clear, dig and plant,
For those who prefer to help indoors we would love to work along-side willing hands - cleaning and restoring this incredible little castle.
If you would like to help with wood work, we have plenty of projects, building and restoring (both fine and rough carpentry). My husband and my son would be happy to work with those interested in building owl and bat boxes, fences, veggie bins or flowerboxes.
If you would like to help with plaster and paint, there are lots of opportunities for both - inside and out.
Those with permaculture experience are especially welcome. I love to share and exchange what I know and learn from others as we continue to build, grow and cultivate this incredible place.
Sprachen
Gesprochene Sprachen
Englisch: Fließend
Afrikaans: Gute Kenntnisse
Französisch: Gute Kenntnisse
Dieser Gastgeber bietet Sprachaustausch an
The whole family is diligently engaged in learning French. We are a multicultural family from England, France, the US and South Africa, but now we life in France, so its time to learn the language properly.
Unterkunft
Workawayers will either stay in our spare bedrooms in the house with the family, or in the Seasonal Rental / Gite depending on availability. Both are really lovely spaces that paying guests pay hundreds of dollars a night to sleep in. Plan on eating with the family for at least one meal a day but possibly more. Given how rural we are, it is not possible to pop out for a sandwich unless you have a car. Our closest village is about 8 minutes away by car.
Was noch ...
There is absolutely no public transport in the area, not even taxis or ubers. Plan on coming with a car if you can. If that isn't possible we can pick you up from a train station or airport, but assume that you will only be able to leave the property when you join us on the occasional grocery shopping or market trip.
We are a non smoking, no drugs household please.
There is sometimes wine with meals but assume no excessive alcohol consumption please.
We have a very large, cuddly and playful dog, who can be a bit intimidating. If you are afraid of big dogs this might not be the best fit for you.
Etwas mehr Information
- Internet Zugang
- Eingeschränkter Internet Zugang
- Wir besitzen Tiere
- Wir sind Raucher
- Familien möglich
Kann Digital Nomads unterbringen
So long as you can find time for both your work and ours, we don't mind. We have good solid internet connections and cell service and can make sure that you have a table and chair in your room for work.
Platz zum Abstellen von Camper Vans
We do not have a camp ground for you, no pump out or power, but you are welcome to park here.
Kapazität - wie viele Workawayer maximal
mehr als zwei
Arbeitszeiten
5 hours per day, 5 days per week