Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
21 Apr 2025
Reply rate
100.0 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
22
Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
I am English and my husband is French . We moved here from England 17 years 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. Every year we open once or twice for Open Gardens, to raise money for charity. We can't change the world, but we can make sure that our land is managed to encourage biodiversity. Opening the garden allows us to meet like minded people and encourage others to garden organically. 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 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.we are a mix of english culture and french.
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.
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. We are hoping to go away for a week to see family, so we might ask you to house sit, water and look after the animals
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 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
Feedback (11)
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
Photos
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
