Help out on a family farm while immersing yourself in French countryside, Savignac de Duras

Details

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  Description

  At the beginning of 2023, my family and I moved to a 2.5 hectare farm in the countryside in Lot-et-Garonne. We had been living for a decade in the Fez Medina, Morocco, and before that in Australia.
  My husband and I are New Zealanders and we have two children aged 9 and 7 years old. We have chickens, two cats and a small dog on the farm, which is in a beautiful part of South West France.
  I am a former journalist, and now run an online business. My husband is a writer. We have travelled widely, and are interested in current affairs, the Arts, music and writing. We enjoy meeting and talking to people from different countries.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We enjoy having wide-ranging discussions with people from all over the world. We speak English as a first language, and some French. We are happy to help guests with their English and would love to improve our French! The history and culture of the region we live in is a fascinating one. We live 3 kilometres from Duras and its 12th century chateau. There are many other historic towns and villages in our region, and lots of local markets and festivals.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  We would like assistance with re-establishing a vegetable garden, maintaining our current garden, and doing some renovation and maintenance. Anyone with gardening, renovation and carpentry experience will be particularly welcome! Sometimes we can share meals, and it would be great if you could cook occasionally. :)

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  We are happy to help people with their English. We would like to improve our French.
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  Accommodation

  You would have your own self-contained one bedroom cottage with a kitchen and bathroom. You can cook for yourself, and we will also share some meals. We will supply you with the basics - eggs, milk, bread, vegetables and meat (if required). There is Fibre Optic internet, a smart TV, electric heaters and an electric blanket on the bed.

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  What else ...

  We live in the countryside, in a beautiful part of Lot-et-Garonne, on the edge of Gironde and the Dordogne. There are rolling hills, fields, forests, and pretty villages in the region. There are also local markets, and the opportunity for bike riding, horse riding, canoeing and walks. We are based just over an hour from Bordeaux, and the train station is 20 minutes away. The closest shopping is 3 kilometres away. You will need your own car. We don't have a charging port for electric cars, however there is one in the nearby village. We have bicycles, which you are welcome to borrow.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  We have Fibre Optic internet at about 125 mbps

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  Space for parking camper vans

  There is a parking space for a van, but we cannot provide an exterior electricity connection.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  4 or 5 hours per day, 5 days per week