Learn about permaculture near a remote valley in the Dordogne, South West France

Details

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  Description

  Are you interested in Permaculture?
  
  This is a 300 year old mill, in rural France, which over the years has been renovated and turned into an organic permaculture small holding with wild flower meadows, many insects and a huge biodiversity.
  There is a large vegetable and fruit garden, an apple orchard and a small woodland.
  
  If you like being in Nature, listening to birds, and if you like physical activities in the vege garden like weeding, sowing and collecting fruit and vege and then preserving it, then this place is for you. We often pick things freshly and cook delicious meals from our own products. I would love to exchange and learn as well as teach you about the many dishes which we create from our vegetables and fruits.
  
  We are in a lovely valley along a stream and have sheep, chickens, cats and a dog called Scruff. We are interested in Art and Ceramics and have a large library for you to use with books on that subject.
  This place is about water conservation, and self sufficiency and you can learn a lot from us, from preserving seeds to baking bread. What are your experiences in that field from your country?
  
  Our beautiful mill is set in 4 acres of pasture and woodlands some 15 minutes’ drive from the nearest town. We have some uneven ground on the property, and steep staircases, so able-bodied people of any age with their own transport will get the most out of staying here.
  
  Workawayers with their own transport can freely enjoy exploring the many villages, rivers, historic towns, pre-historic sites and woodlands on afternoons and days off. We do ask that all our helpers carry their own health insurance so they are covered in the unlikely event of an accident.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Our place would suit someone who loves a beautiful and rustic environment, full of Art and books, and who loves being in nature. We are away from it all. It is a tranquil place, animated by bird song and many birds nesting around the house and barn, You would be part of a sustainable set up.
  You can learn about French, German and English culture, a variety of foods and dishes from garden to table. We eat a mixed diet.
  We speak , German and English here and are seeking to become fluent in the French language.
  Please bring you own Wi-fi allowance via your mobile phone contract, as we are on a limited supply.There is international TV and a landline telephone. Our place would suit a non smoker who is into the finer and quieter things in life.
  We have an electric piano, a violin and a piano accordion, plenty of board games and a bike for you to get around on.

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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

  Throughout March to June, you can help with preparing the vegetable garden, sowing, planting, mowing, and strimming to make our own compost, in the pleasant spring and early summer weather. This is also the time to clear winter tree damage, cut bamboo and dead head the roses, make hay and make mulch. There might be fencing to repair. Over this period, we do a lot of hand weeding while the earth is soft and damp.
  
  Over July and August, grass growth slows down but we do need to keep watering the flower and vegetable gardens. We should have some fruit and produce to harvest and preserve, and perhaps a little hay to hand cut with a scythe for our sheep. On hot days we can retreat and work on anything from painting trellises for the roses, to making Sauerkraut, jams and compote.
  
  When September and October comes around, it is time to prune roses, pick grapes, make wine, divide and propagate perennials, clear out the greenhouse and pick up leaves. This is also a good time to clear brambles and ivy from old trees.
  
  We recycle and repair and if the weather is bad, there is always a project on the go indoors, from painting old cupboards and chairs to re- building a dry stone wall.
  
  Over the winter months, the mill and its garden go into a slumber and we do not host anyone due to the bad weather we had over the past few years with flooding and storms.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  French: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I am very happy to speak English and German and learn French in exchange.
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  Accommodation

  We have twin accommodation. so a couple, siblings or 2 friends can stay and share a lovely bright room. We share a modern bath/ shower room Hot water comes from a solar hot water system and we will provide you with organic shampoo and soap as our system can only tolerate biodegradable products.

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  What else ...

  We live a 15 minute drive away from the next small town and train station and can offer you lifts and pick up from there should you wish to branch out.
  
  There are plenty of shops there and an outdoor swimming pool
  Bergerac and Perigueux are 30 minutes away by train and Bordeaux 1 hour.
  We have bicycles for you to get about with.
  
  If you are self-contained and motivated and are able to occupy your own time as well as being part of a family set up and enjoy the outdoors, then this place is for you. We are looking for references and seek people who enjoy physical tasks in the garden and all that is required to lead a more self-sufficient life.
  
  Main meals will be prepared together and were possible and we require someone who is able to eat most things, as we have a varied healthy diet which includes meat. Some of our vegetables come from our organic vegetable garden.
  This is a non-smoking place and we ask visitors to respect this requirement.
  
  You will have full use of the library as well as the barn should you wish to paint or the woodlands for meditation.
  
  This place would suit someone who is into art, writing, nature conservation, is interested in permaculture and is generally active and motivated and has a positive outlook on life.

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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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  Can host digital nomads

  We have limited wifi. You need to bring your own 4 G unlimited allowance if you rely on it or intend to stream films.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This works only in summer, as we get flooded sometimes in the winter months. Best time is June until November.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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