Help Needed in Stunning Location, Mauleon Barousse, France

Details

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  Description

  Hi, I'm Simon and 7 years ago me and my partner, now ex, decided to move from the UK to France. We bought an Aparthotel in the beautiful Pyrenean village of Mauleon-Barousse with the intention of running it as a family business. However post-Covid a lot has changed, and I am instead in the process of converting the building into several homes.
  
  Previously, my brother used Workaway to host helpful workers, and it has been nothing but a positive experience, a trend which I'm hoping to continue. I'm looking to have about 3-4 volunteers here at each time.
  
  Currently with the help of some amazing workaway volunteers we have managed to convert half the original hotel building into flats with half to go and a house to reform.
  
  This is a great place to volunteer, I provide great accommodation a chilled environment and good food and drink. Set in stunning countryside a great place to de stress and unwind after your chores are completed.
  
  In my spare time, I enjoy cooking, classic cars and animals (if you come and stay with me you'll see just how much I love animals).

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  You will find yourself in the laughably perfect little town of Mauleon-Barousse, amidst the rolling hills of the Pyrenees area. Explore historic churches and towns, get lost in the lush green nature of the French countryside and improve your French.
  
  Work-wise, there is a lot to learn here, from the basics of interior design and decorating, to light construction and maintenace.
  I love to cook, and will hopefully be able to show you a thing or two (and maybe learn a thing or two as well :)
  
  I look forward to meeting you!!

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  Help

  I am looking for motivated and practical individuals to help with decorating, gardening, conservation (river bank management) and light renovations around the building.
  No prior experience required, just be keen and ready to learn and I'm sure we'll get far.
  We also have several dogs and cats on the property; there is always something to do! From fencing to hedge trimming and animal husbandry.
  
  I prefer if volunteers would stay at least for a month and are patient and extremely reliable, maybe even have some experience with caring for animals.
  
  I expect 4-5 hours of help a day, 5 days a week in exchange for accommodation and food. We don't have a very strict work schedule, and I like to give you the freedom to decide for yourself when to help. However, occasionally when there are big tasks that require many people, or when time-sensitive tasks are involved I might ask you to work outside your own schedule. On the other hand, if there are times that are very inconvenient for you, please tell me. Communication is the key for good teamwork.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I am happy to teach English and would be interested in improving my very poor French
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  Accommodation

  Every volunteer gets their own bedroom. As this used to be a hotel, we have a lot of space. There is an independent kitchen, available to everyone around the clock. This is where we usually cook. While we tend to have breakfast and lunch individually, I like to have dinner together with everyone and share stories.
  While I enjoy cooking, I always appreciate when the volunteers prepare something, as I love to try new dishes. I have no problem in hosting vegetarians or vegans. I provide all the food that you want (unless it's very excessive).
  I like to drive over to Spain to do the shopping, so I can give you a ride and you can have a look around there :)
  
  There is a washing machine and wifi. You will also (weather permitting of course) have access to a pool, patio spaces and all the animals you could wish for.

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  What else ...

  If you enjoy cycling, walking, breathtaking scenery and clean air then this is the place for you. There is also tennis and fishing available in the village as well as a swimming pool on site.
  
  We are very close to the Port de Bales, a 19km climb uphill the mountain, used several times as a Tour de France etappe, which ends at 1800m above sea level with a stunning views around and the starting point to several hiking trails.
  
  There is a little grocery shop just around the corner that also has fresh bread every day except Mondays. For everything else you need a car or lift a ride to the next bigger town, Montrejeau, or across the border into Spain. If you have a valid drivers license we can talk about you using my car (but it might also depend on other factors, just ask). I'm always more than happy to give you a lift to anywhere you want to go. There is also BlaBlaCar, a ride sharing network, which is very well-known here in France.
  
  If you arrive by train, you should get off in Montrejeau train station, from where I will pick you up (almost) any time a day.

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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

  There is wifi acess

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We have a big parking space on the property and there is also a campervan-parking areo in the village right next to the river, a 5 minute walk away from the building.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  We have dogs and cats so as long as your furry friend is friendly we can talk.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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