Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
1 Feb 2026
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
23
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Country info
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Details
Description
I am English and my husband is French . We moved here from England 18years ago. We have about three hectares of land. As we are in a valley most of it is woodland with an area of meadow and a large vegetable and flower garden. We can't change the world, but we can make sure that our land is managed to encourage biodiversity. We cut the meadow once or twice a year to encourage wildflowers. In the winter we cut our own wood, coppice and try to manage it for wildflowers. We have a Jack Russell called Priska, 2 cats, two chickens, lots of ducks, and incredible insects and butterflies ..
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
House & pet sitting
Interests
Pets
Sustainability
Music
Plant care
Carpentry
Cooking & food
Gardening
Books
Animals
Nature
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Meal times are important, a time to talk and learn from each other. I normally cook all the meals, but I encourage our workaways to prepare a meal for us all to share. We love trying new foods and finding new ways to make use of the fruit and vegetables in the garden. We provide the food and accommodation, in return we profit from the extra help and hopefully new ideas.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We cut the meadow gradually so we have different heights of grass , but all the grass has to be collected. This is done manually as we have quite steep slopes.Some of the slopes are terraced, but these are becoming very overgrown so they need to be cleared with a brushcutter. Work and maintenance on the paths so we have access with the motorised wheelbarrow. Lots of other jobs in the garden, picking fruit and vegetables, then preserving and baking. I bake all the bread and lots of cakes. We are not vegetarain, but we do not eat a lot of meat. We grow most of our vegetables.
May, lots to do in the garden and catch up on some housework .Possibility to house sit for a few days.
June, we start to cut the meadow, watering systems to be put in place, fruit to pick and jam to make. We also need somebody reliable to look after everything whilst we visit family.
July, often hot so the main focus will be the house where it is cooler.
August is generally hot. The house needs attention, a good clean and windows and doors need wood protection. More fruit and vegetables from the garden. The banks of the stream need attention and more of the meadow needs to be cut
September, seed collection, fruit and veg to be dealt with. Fire wood needs to be brought in for winter.
October, is the main month for dealing with the garden,. moving, dividing and potting up plants.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
A separate chalet in the garden with a double bed. Compost toilet in the garden and shower and wash basin in the top of the barn
What else ...
We live in a small hamlet, beside a stream. The nearest village (La Bastide L\'Eveque) is 3 km and the nearest town (Villefranche de Rouergue) 11Km. There are bicycles. There are lots of paths for walking, including a GR. You can swim in the Aveyron river, just 2km. 10 minutes walk from the house we have the Martinet, where they used the water to work the copper. It is now a museum, with demonstrations.We have a piano and my husband plays the guitar. His first love is gypsy jazz, but he plays all sorts.
We normally walk Priska every morning, helpers are welcome to join us as we know all the paths.
We welcome most people but not supporters of Donald Trump.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
Access is tricky for very large vans. Need to park on a slight slope
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Merlin
Merlin is very affectionate with me, tolerates Yves, loves Priska and hates strangers. He normally hides when people arrive, it takes a while for him get used to new people
Priska
Female Jack russell, loves people, but not too sure about children.
She was 5 months old when she arrived and then there was Covid so she just didn't have much contact with children. She is quite timid, but very gentle. Likes to dig holes and chase balls.
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback (11)
Next time you come, you can have some homemade yogurt. I made 2 litres and… read more
Photos
Chat with Workawayers who've visited this host
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
Next time you come, you can have some homemade yogurt. I made 2 litres and… read more
A big thank you.
Apesar do meu inglês ser muito ruim conseguimos nos entender, eu trabalhei bastante ajudando um pouco no jardim, dando um novo colorido à casa e a cozinha. Organizei principalmente a casa limpando e arrumando armários etc. Aprendi… read more
I spent two weeks with them and, thanks their patience, I had the opportunity to learn something about their world.
Great hospitality, healthy and delicious food, wonderful company and the area around is just magic!
thank you both for such a beautiful time at your place!
They certainly changed our view on americans and we were very privileged to have them if only for a short time!
The work was interesting and varied, and included planting, strimming and fence-building.
In my spare time I was able to explore the beautiful local area, and I was very grateful to both Yves and Margaret for dropping me off in different places on several… read more
They were always very helpfull and we got on fine .If they don't have all the skills they are bright and quick to learn anything new.They can cook and they are keen dishwashers.
We simply enjoyed having them around and they would be welcome any time.
the work is comfortable and funny, we build a house`s duck and we work in the garden, always sharing with them.
on our free time, they took us to beatifull and amazing places, and also we have time… read more
It was good to have someone who… read more
On my days or afternoons off, Yves and Margaret would drop… read more
