Profile information
Host rating
85 %
Last replied
4 Oct 2022
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Details
Description
We're a fun-loving, hardworking, married English couple with two well-behaved (bilingual) young children and a friendly dog, living in the beautiful Charente, five minutes from a thriving market town and we have Cognac producing neighbours!
Days start with family breakfasts. Imagine waking early to freshly-baked pastries or eggs from our own hens.
Cognac and Angoulême are 30minutes away with the coast at a 90minute drive and there's lots to see and do locally from exploring the Gallo Roman history of this area to its gastronomic delights. Cagouille anyone?
Our background is in education, specifically the teaching of English. We have learnt lots of new skills and we are quick to learn.
We have a well-maintained field with electric hook-up which is ideal for a motor home or caravan.
We also have a separate self-contained cottage on site which may be available for you, depending on dates, or there's a twin bedroom within our main house with a separate shower room.Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco ProjectsGardeningDIY and building projectsGeneral MaintenanceCultural exchange and learning opportunities
Learn about the Charentais way of life in the beautiful French countryside. Socialise with our friends and neighbours. Practise and learn a little French.
Visit a local working Cognac producer and learn about the beautiful Cognac vines.
If you're considering buying property in France, meet our English speaking friends and a local estate agent who has done just that and pick their brains.
Sample some of our amazing local produce. We have a Snail farm close by, Pineau which is a Charente alcoholic speciality, the most delicious chocolatines, a goat's cheese producer, local honey (visit a beekeeper) and freshly grown organic vegetables.
We are happy to share recipes for preserving and jamming too.Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Our property is a reasonable size and we need some help with garden maintenance such as weeding of borders, hedge-cutting, pruning, planting a couple of trees, grass-cutting with a ride-on mower, erecting a couple of fence panels and fence-painting.
Also, we need a hand with basic DIY such as bathroom installation - removing a cabin shower and replacing with a new one, tiling, plaster boarding, painting, decorating, exterior wall pointing with lime mix, laying of an internal concrete floor.Languages
Languages spoken
French: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
I am a UK qualified English teacher. I love the French language and have a basic level of Spanish and German.Accommodation
Self-contained cottage for up to two people. Meals provided at our main house. Cottage is dependent on dates and availability.
Or there is a twin room in the main house with separate shower room with toilet.
Or, if you have a motor home, stay on our field with electric hook up.What else ...
In your free time, explore the beautiful Charente with its many markets, brocantes and restaurants.
We are ideally placed for cyclists being on a local cycle route.
Horseriding or carriage riding is available just down the road.
Botanic walk nearby.
Leisure lake 30mins away.
Visit historic Cognac, Jarnac and Angoulême all within a short drive.
Obviously, having school-aged children, we are tied to the school run in term time but you aren't!
We ask that you behave appropriately in front of our children and treat our home with respect.
In return, we will welcome you as part of our family, feed you and either show you the sights or signpost you to superb visits nearby.A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
There's a large field or our courtyard in wetter months both with electric hook up.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week