France
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We are a recently-retired couple looking to live quietly and sustainably, we have a small vegetable garden, fruit trees and bushes, in a peaceful part of France. We are predominantly vegetarian, not vegan.
We are British, and speak English as our first language, but we speak some other languages more or less fluently.
Language practice
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
There may be opportunities to acquire skills in gardening, renovating and decorating.
We are renovating an old house in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Currently some help from an experienced DIY person would be greatly appreciated.
The sort of jobs that we would like help with include renovating and decorating the house, some gardening, and occassionally animal care. We are looking for fit and healthy individuals .
There may be a possibility of a longer stay on workaway basis, and/or on minding the house basis, i.e. look after the garden, the house and the animals, for a suitable candidate whilst we are away. Please write with any questions.
We are not medically trained to deal with any health issues or help anyone who is taking any form of medication, suffering from depression or similar, take drugs or other stimulants, or drink alcohol. We are very sensitive to strong smells and for this reason cannot accept smokers of cigarettes or otherwise. Those with pre-existing health conditions, such as bad knees, back, or similar please note the work here is predominantly physical so if you are not an active person or have not done any physical work in the last few months then please do not apply as you will be wasting your journey by having to depart sooner than planned.
We would like help 5 hrs per day, with breaks in between, 5 days per week. We have bicycles you can use, hike the surrounding mountain trails, take a trip by bus to other villages and towns, take a trip to Spain (10 km from here), etc. The two days off will not necessarily fall on the weekend.
We cannot accommodate people with children, or pets as we have animals here.
It is important that everyone has a suitable visa and health/accident insurance in place. We do not issue letters of invitation.
For health and safety reasons you must speak fluent English or French.
We would welcome a native French speaker with good command of french grammar so that we could improve our spoken french. In exchange we would help, if desired, with English grammar, vocabulary, and speaking.
The nearest airport is Toulouse, and there is a wide choice of local, national and international buses and trains. We can meet you at the nearest train station.
On arrival we will ask to see your passport, take a number of it, and a name and telephone number of the next of kin.
If this sounds like your kind of opportunity we would love to hear from you.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Intermediate
This host offers a language exchange
We are qualified English language teachers, and would be interested in French/English exchange lessons with a native French national.
Accommodation (with WiFi) is in shared room (with one other) and shared bathroom. The room will be equipped with single beds, bedding, bed linen and towels will be provided. We will all take part/turns in preparing our food, cooking, washing dishes, cleaning the kitchen after meals, and other domestic chores such as sweeping and mopping floors of the areas we all use, and topping up spring water etc., unless agreed otherwise.
During times off there are plenty of opportunities for walking and cycling. The house is right in the Pyrenees mountains where there are many interesting hiking trails. There is also a climbing centre right in the village.
If you think this might suit you, please write to us explaining how you think your skills, personality and experience would be helpful to us, and what you hope to get from your stay with us. Please feel free to ask any specific questions if the information you need is not covered in the profile.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
We have parking space for a car or a campervan, not a motorhome (the gate is too narrow)
More than two
5 hours a day, 5 days a week
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(4.8)
