Come and help us improve our property in the French Eastern Pyrenees, France

Details

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  Description

  We are a couple in our thirties, researchers in solar energy working at the solar furnace in Odeillo, in the French Eastern Pyrenees (North Catalonia).
  
  We bought a nice house with sunny terraces a few years ago, but between work and travels we don't have a lot of time to maintain it, and would like some help doing so. The house is set in a beautiful mountain landscape with many hiking, biking and horse rides to do.
  
  I'm a vegan but my companion isn't, so food options are debatable :-) We love cooking and will make you discover french and catalan dishes, and we'll be happy to exchange recipes with you. We like to have friends over for dinner or go for a bite in typical places, and you'll be welcome to join us.
  
  We would love to practice our English, especially with a native speaker, and maybe help you do the same with your French if you wish. We are of course open to other offers as well.
  
  We would rather accommodate only one person at a time, for short stays (one or two weeks). No smoking inside the house. Dogs allowed, if not too big (no fence outside).

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  General Maintenance

  Help around the house
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Immersion into French, Spanish and Catalan cultures and cuisine.
  Opportunity to meet new people, during BBQs and dinner parties at home, local concerts, etc.

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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

  Our house needs some refreshing.
  - wood shutters and fences need repainting;
  - the garden and terraces need cleaning and watering;
  - some steps of the external concrete stairs have to be repaired, etc.
  The work to be done can be discussed depending on the volunteer's skills.

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  Languages spoken

  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent
  French: Fluent

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  Accommodation

  You will stay in the guest room with double bed and adjoining private bathroom, on the same floor as the living room and kitchen. We sleep upstairs so you will have some privacy. Wifi, family computer and TV (with international channels) are accessible for your convenience.

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  What else ...

  Cerdagne is a large and sunny altiplano (1500 m) in the very South of France, surrounded by mountains and only a few kilometers from the Spanish (catalan) border. A very nice place to live and stay, famous for hiking, mountain biking, horse riding, lake fishing, hot springs, and skiing in winter. In the summer, there are a lot of local concerts and outdoor activities.
  If you are interested in solar (thermal) energy, we also advise you to visit or have a look at Themis solar tower in Targasonne and the impressive solar furnace in Odeillo, and we can explain you how it works.
  
  From our house in Angoustrine, you can easily walk to Dorres open air hot baths, go on a stroll or hike on the hills and forests behind the village, walk to the catalan town of Llivia... We can also lend you a mountain bike to do all that.
  There is a small grocery store in the village for your everyday needs. A bus comes and goes 3 or 4 times a day, which can bring you to Font-Romeu or Bourg-Madame, the nearest towns with supermarkets, restaurants and other shops. We can arrange to take you by car if needed, when we go to work or come back from it. Hitchhiking also works rather well here and is perfectly safe.

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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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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  Hours expected

  5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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