France
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Hello there! It would be great if you would like to come and enjoy staying in a lovely 1820's restored stone farmhouse, surrounded by a large garden with 3 barns, over-looking fields and forest on the edge of a very quiet and peaceful hamlet in rural Burgundy, in exchange for helping me with my garden.
The house is 1h30 south of Paris, in the Yonne (Puisaye-Forterre) district not far from the mediaeval town of JOIGNY which has a train station, and from where I can pick you up if you don't have a car.
Since my three children are now grown up and living in Paris/London, they no longer have the time to help me out with what so desperately needs to be done here - so your help would be truly valued !
I love the theatre and cinema - so if I'm going you're welcome to come along !
I love music although I can't play the piano we have, so if you like to play please do!
I love to dance at live music concerts in local bars/restos - so if you'd like to come you'd be most welcome
Gardening
General Maintenance
Help with Computers / internet
I love to exchange thoughts and ideas on all sorts of subjects, cultural and otherwise!
As a native English speaker I can help anyone wishing to improve their English and if you would like to brush up on your French then there will be plenty of opportunity at the weekends.
I am urgently looking for help with my garden! Can you help? Getting it spruced up - weeding, pruning, cutting branches, sometimes using the chain saw and hedge cutter - putting down mortar in the pathway cracks (very therapeutic & satisfying!)..... Help in this area would be very gratefully received!
If you are also a computer buff I would love to learn more about my computer, and if you are a good cook I would welcome a break from time to time to taste new dishes!
English and French
There is a ground floor bedroom for your use which is a nice and large 22m² (or 66ft²) room, south-facing and looking out directly over the garden with a separate bathroom across the corridor where the ground floor loo is. There is a single bed with table and chairs, lamps, cupboards, sofa and soft furnishings.
In your leisure time, there are lovely walks around the area, and if you have a car or some sort of transport, there are mediaeval towns and villages to visit, plus the vineyards of Chabilis, Coulanges, etc.
There's always the possibility you might like to just read, write or paint/photograph a beautiful local scene ... or simply be in the garden!
If you like Live Concerts, we sometimes go to free pop/rock/blues concerts in bars and restaurants at the weekend.
If you like Art, we sometimes go to preview/vernissage evenings at the various art galleries around - but of course it depends on their dates.
Sometimes we go to the Cinema (although it'll probably be in French) or the theatre, and if you'd like I also have a goodly number of DVDs to watch both in French and English.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
One
5 hours a day, 5 days a week
