Help needed in the peaceful countryside of Le Mas d'Azil, France

Details

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  Description

  We are Tif and Niko, around 30+ years old living in the countryside at Le Mas d'Azil.
  We are trying to build a great environment to grow our daughter and leave peacefully. That's why we are developing a "mini-farm" project. We are experimenting with beekeeping, goats, chickens and vegetables gardening.
  
  We have travelled through Europe, Asia and Australia for 2 years with an old 4WD. During our long journey we have done some workaway stays (poland, thailand, australia) and loved these experiences. We know how precious it is to discover a country from the inhabitant, we'll make sure to welcome you as best as we can and hope you'll enjoy your stay with us.
  
  More about us :
  Niko is a retired engineer and volunteer firefighter, always looking for new experiences, he loves thinking and working hours on stuff and stuff.
  Tif is a psychomotor therapist (working 3 days a week) and also a volunteer firefighter. She likes to work hard or create pretty things but she needs to take her time.
  We both are at home most of the time but as we are volunteer firefighters, one of us has to be prepared to leave anytime quickly. That doesn't prevent us from working in the garden or taking time to relax.
  We are open minded people, pretty simple and very adaptative. We are rather sporty (cycling, running, hiking, climbing) and we love outdoor activities that you'll be welcome to share with us if you want. We are always up for board or card games !

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We'd be happy to share with you everything that makes our county so fantastic (cheeses, walks, markets, delights, sights) and our peaceful daily life.
  We can share everything we know about bees, goats, veggies and how to make an automatically managed garden (rainwater collection, autonomous henhouse).
  We can also show you the beehives and walk the goats together.

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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 always have something to do outside : trim the hedges, take care of vegetable garden, mow the lawn, cut and collect branches, draw the ground, rake, clean animals houses, install and repair fences on a very steep ground ...
  It's mostly physical works but we are not looking for a Hulk, everyone can do it at their own pace.
  We could do most of the things on our own but it's more pleasant and dynamic to help with someone else. However, you are free to manage your schedule independently.
  
  For both profile we expect half day working, 5 days a week.
  About meals, we'll provide the lunch and let you manage the rest of your food.
  You are also free to collect fresh eggs in the garden anytime.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  I'd like to learn spanish
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  Accommodation

  We'll host you on our house's ground floor, which is for yourself only.
  There is :
  - bedroom with double bed and cupboard
  - kitchen with small fridge, gaz cooker, microwave and cooking tools + table and chairs
  - bathroom
  - small living room (with tv)
  All the house is no smocking area, we provide wifi internet (the connection can be slow sometimes).
  We simply expect that you respect some basic rules of living together (silence at night and during the baby's nap, keep the accommodation clean, do not overconsume water and electricity).

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  What else ...

  Le Mas d'Azil is a pretty town (10 minutes by bike), very touristic in summer. All along the year you can visit its famous natural cave and enjoy a local market every Wednesday morning.
  We live near a river (1 minute by bike) where you can swim or chill out ! There is also trails, pretty cities (Carla Bayle, St Lizier, Foix) and lakes (Mondely, Filheit, Carla) to explore around.
  Depending on the season you can collect apples in the orchard next door, visit an Angora goat farm or museums (Xploria, Affabuloscope museum), see artisan workshops (glass blower, potter...), go to the astronomical observatory or even bungee jump over the cave !
  We live in the countryside and even if a few buses run it is way more convenient to hitchhike (commonly practiced here). We can lend you a bike too !
  At Le Mas d'Azil there is a few small shops (pharmacy, groceries, bakery...) and we go once a week in a bigger town (Saint Girons or Foix 20 to 30 minutes by car), we can drive you there too.

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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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  Space for parking camper vans

  You can park a big vehicle in front of the house but not in the garden as the ground is too steep.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  We are OK with pets but make sure they are friendly with goats and hens. You also have to know our home is near a road without proper fence.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 4 hours a day, 5 days a week

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