Profile information
Host rating
85 %
Last replied
4 Aug 2023
Feedback
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Email verified
Details
Description
My name is Hélène ; I am 54, with a daughter of 15.
I bought my place 20 years ago and have since tried to renovate it (buildings and outside - 2ha), while i was working in the field of aid to development and humanitarian affairs.
I have always been involved in sustainable agriculture and food security, and aim at applying what i have learnt during my work-life to my future farm, particularly when it comes to agro-ecology.
I have a passion for plants and herbs, and have followed several training on the topic. I am starting slowly to develop a medicinal herbs farm while welcoming guests in my two little gîtes.
There is still lots to do inside and outside the buildings before i can be a real farmer, and help would be more than welcome. I'd be happy to share what i know of plants, of the aid world, and the recipe of ivy soap ;) with workawayers.
We have three adooorable pets: Babou our she-dog, Camomille and Cosmos the she-cats, and i plan to have free range chicken, Indian runner ducks and Ouessant sheep as soon as their houses are ready, and for the building of which i'd love a hand !.
The property is being renovated with organic - and as much as possible locally sourced - materials, and it is my overall approach to have as little as possible a footprint on the environment (although my house is tooooo big !) as possible. Food at home is mostly organic, and we eat little meat, bought from local farmers.
The place is a beautiful set of 4 19th century stone buildings on the slope of a hill. The view is magnificent, always changing with sun, clouds, fog coming up the hill... lots of magic here ! There are 2 ha around the house, 1 of which is totally wild, the other one sort of under control !
I planted an orchard 5 years ago but got some old fruit trees. And now that i am back for good here, i have a small vegetable garden.
It is very quiet, 2 km away from the first village, one better likes the sound of silence here !
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Farmstay help
Help around the house
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I am French. Speak French obviously ! and am pretty fluent in English with some basics German and Spanish.
I spent 25 year working (and traveling in many countries) in the field of humanitarian aid and development work, and am totally into medicinal herbs, so i could share the little i know and give some tips on how to get into/understand better either world !
In addition, i am living in the countryside, but very close to a former coal-mining area, and to the Way of St James, and to Conques Basilica and many more cultural sites, so there is lots to see and learn around here !
Help
In 20 years, one can do a lot, and lots has been done, but loooooots remain to be done inside and outside the house to "fix" things : cleaning the garden, getting rid of bushes, brambles and the like, building a chicken house, a sheep house, fixing and installing fencing, repairing dry stone walls, weeding the existing plants/flower beds, installing a system of roof water recuperation (gutters are already installed), preparing the beds for the medicinal plants, building a glass-house, etc.
I am also very keen on gaining autonomy with regards to water and energy ; I'd love to hear ideas on how to do that in theory and... in practice !
I have the following urgent needs :
- to build (from reclaimed wood) a shelter for my future chicken/ducks and one for my future sheep.
- to re-do an access dirt road that has been washed away by rains... :( and prepare the ground for the settting of a green house (conduct a small/medium caterpillard is needed)
- to build an herbs dryer
- to create l a kitchen lab
- to create simple rooms in a barn
- to install rain catchment containers
- to do some masonry works with lime (no cement here)
- to build a green house from reclaimed windows
- to build shelters for parking the cars and sheltering an old caravan (reclaimed wood)
- etc.
In a word, super DIY-person welcome ! ;).
Love of farming/gardening/life outside is indispensable.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
German: Beginner
Spanish: Beginner
Russian: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
I am always happy to learn more languages, more about other cultures, and i can definitely help in French, and in English !
Accommodation
Workawayer will be accommodated in a (heated of course) separate bed room in the family house, and will have access to a bathroom (shower and toilet).
Food will be provided, and most of the meals prepared, but i'd expect a "regular" help in the house (un/dressing the table, cleaning the dishes, cleaning of the bedroom and bathroom, etc.).
Cooking meals/dishes from workawayer's place of origin would be sweet and very much appreciated !
What else ...
As mentioned, there are many things to see around here, but the region is isolated and rather hilly so distances can quickly become....long !
An autonomous motored means of transportation is indispensable.
There is no TV at home, but reading, listening to music, playing cards and table games, and enjoying the silence.. or having lively discussions are regulars.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
Any motorhome can fit in my property ; the size of the vehicle would determine where in the property it'd be parked.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
