General help around the home and garden in rural Gascony, France

Details

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  Description

  Hi, I'm Nigel! My rural home in the heart of the forest needs a lot of work and I'd love your help please. I love meeting new people from everywhere. I am British born, but I later adopted an international nomadic life. When I finished working for United Nations (last posting in Pakistan) I moved to my dream home in Moustey, SW France. I have lived and worked in Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Japan, Russia, Israel/Palestine, Lebanon, USA, France, Kenya, and UK. I have also travelled to over 100 countries - so should be well placed to have some cultural exchange.
  
  Sami - my dog who is a "Royal Afghan Street Hound" (!!) will be at the property. Must love dogs!

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I am happy to share my life experiences, having set up home in a new country every two years for the the last few decades. Working internationally with United Nations I have plenty of stories and advice to share with workawayers as a cultural exchange. Workawayes can learn from my experiences in France, Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Japan, Russia, Lebanon, Israel/Palestine, Kenya, America and even UK!
  
  Being rather linguistically challenged I have plenty if tips on how to survive in an unfamiliar foreign tongue. I am happy to help workawayers practice English.
  
  My home is a spacious five bedroom 1830's home in Gascony with private swimming pool. It is a real get-away-from-it-all location, yet only 3kms to the pretty village of Moustey. 45 mins to Bordeaux. My house is located in Moustey, Landes, Nouvelle-Aquitaine, South West France. The village is rather authentic and totally untouristy giving workawayers a chance to meet and learn about local culture. Set in the forest there are many experiences to be had in hiking and walking including along the river Leyre.
  
  I can teach workawayers about working in international organizations.
  I hope to learn from my workawayers about their culture and outlook on life.

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  Help

  I would like general help in maintaining my home and garden. I am particularly useless at DIY and decorating - therefore someone with practical DIY/decorating skills and experience would be most helpful.
  
  I rent out my house during the summer; workawayers will not be helping or involved with the rental business side of things. I cannot accept workawayers June/July/August.

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  French: Beginner

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  Accommodation

  You will have your own private double room and bathroom.
  Use of all the house, gardens, and swimming pool (In season).
  Inside the house is non-smoking, but you are welcome to smoke outside.
  My house is old and can be a bit cold and draughty during the winter - so please bring warm clothes! :-)
  For more details, photos, reviews, and videos of the property, please check out my own site - ask me for the link.

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  What else ...

  My property is rather remote and cannot be accessed by public transport. You can walk to the local village (3kms) - but if you want to go further for your leisure activities you'll need your own vehicle. If you do not have transport - for your arrival and departure I can pick up / drop off in Bordeaux or nearby. For your free time there are bicycles that you can use (suitable for taller people).
  
  Immediately on the boundary of the property is the forest which is ideal for hikes and all manner of outdoor activities. The property is located between the Grande Leyre and the Petite Leyre rivers. These small calm rivers are great for kayaking/canoeing (available for rent locally), a paddle or a bracing dip.
  
  For activities; Swimming (pool, rivers, lakes, and sea), kayaking (local rental), biking/hiking/jogging on forest trails, hiking, dog walking, horse riding (local stables very close at end of forest track).
  
  You will need work clothes/shoes. Please ensure you have valid health insurance and tetanus plus other vaccinations are up to date.
  
  Preferred length of stay is a minimum of one week and a maximum of two weeks.
  
  Looking forward to hearing from you!

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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

  Although the house is remote, the wifi is super fast fibre optic. Mobile signal is a bit weak (use wifi-for-calling on your phone). You have your own large desk in your room where you can work in peace and quiet without interruption.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Large garden - plenty of space to park and you can do a power hook up.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  All dogs welcome. I have my own dog who is OK with other dogs (he just ignores them). Please ask about other pets.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  25 hours a week - flexible how organised

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