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Help with gardening and experience simple living in Ariege, Pyrenees, France

Availability

  2025 

 Min stay requested: No minimum

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    Hello,

    We are Cat and Silvan (6 years old).
    We live on an organic permaculture farm in the Pyrenees in the south of France. The property is situated in a small hamlet of 8 houses bordering a wild forest including chestnut, ash, oak, acacia and cherry. We grow much of our own fruit and vegetables and collect hazelnuts, walnuts, mushrooms and wild herbs from the forest. I cut my own wood and much of the wood used in the construction has been harvested from my land and cut using my friends mobile saw mill. For the moment I have no domestic animals. My friends graze their horses during the summer months.

    As my title says I am into simple living. I enjoy eating fresh food from the garden and prefer to be creative with dishes with what i can source locally than going to the supermarket.
    When there are more of us here we often do a rotation of cooking, which is great as we get to taste each others variations and be inspired. If you are not confident in cooking don't worry, it is a great opportunity to learn as all the ingredients are so fresh and tasty you can't go wrong and we will help.

    I am a fan of 'hugelkulture' beds and love to see a good layer of mulch in the garden. I am also passionate about the concept of forest gardening and implement many of these principles and am keen to extend further this practice.

    Silvan is homeschooled and participates in weekly activities such as music and a forest school . We are surrounded by a close knit homeschooling community.

    I am Australian and speak English and French.

    Daily activities are varied and can be flexible, depending on interest, they may involve gardening; weeding, mulching, planting, harvesting, preserving, drying.
    Forest management, land clearing, chopping wood, fencing.
    Renovation projects, bricolage.

    Meals are predominately from the garden, supplemented by local organic produce. Can cater for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free. We have source water.
    Accommodation is in a caravan with a wood burner. It's nicely located on top of the terrain, morning sun, peaceful, or camping.
    We have a compost toilet.

    We are 10km from the vibrant village of Foix. There are many hiking tracks from the doorstep and rock climbing sectors are close by. There is a small village 5 km from us which has a weekly market and a diverse range of music and cultural events almost weekly throughout the year.

    Long term stays are an option, and I am exploring ways in which we could formally create community with others potentially buying in, or placing a yourte for example.

    Any questions do not hesitate, i look forward to hearing from you.


    Bonjour, je m'appelle Catherine (Cat), je suis australienne. Je vis avec mon enfant de 5 ans, Silvan, dans une ferme, bio, et pratique le permaculture. Nous sommes situe dans les Pyrénées, dans le sud de la France. Mon enfant, Silvan, est scolarisé à la maison et nous sommes bien reliés à la communauté locale. Notre jardin potager fournit une grande partie de notre nourriture. Le bois de construction et de chauffage provient de la terre. Pendant plus de 15 ans, j'ai été instructrice de cirque et de yoga. Aujourd'hui, je passe plus de temps sur la terre et avec mon enfant qu'à enseigner, mais j'aime maintenir ma propre pratique. J'aime beaucoup le paillage et je suis une 'fan' des hugelkultures.
    J'ai actuellement trois chèvres et les chevaux d'un ami qui broutent les champs pendant les mois d'été.

    Les activités sont variées, et flexible; maraîchage, plantation, paillage, séchage des herbes, récolte, conservation...
    Nettoyage des terrains, coupe de bois, clôtures.
    Projets de renovation, bricolage.

    Les repas proviennent principalement du jardin et sont complétés par des produits biologiques locaux. Nous pouvons répondre aux besoins des végétariens et des végétaliens. Nous disposons d'une source d'eau.
    L'hébergement peut se faire dans une caravane avec un poêle à bois ou en camping.
    Nous avons des toilettes seche.

    Nous sommes à 10 km du le village de Foix, tres animé. Nous sommes à l'orée d'un petit hameau bordant une belle forêt de châtaigniers, de frênes, d'acacias et de hêtres. Il y a de nombreux chemins de randonnée à partir de la porte et des secteurs d'escalade sont à proximité. Un petit village situé à 5 km de chez nous propose un marché hebdomadaire et un large éventail d'événements musicaux et culturels presque chaque semaine tout au long de l'année.

    Nous sommes content de faire de nouvelles rencontres et d'accueillir des gens chez nous.

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Art Projects
    Language practice
    Help with Eco Projects
    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    Babysitting and creative play
    Creating/ Cooking family meals
    Help around the house
    General Maintenance
  • Interests

    Interests

    LGBTQ
    Sustainability
    Self development
    Farming
    Performing arts
    Languages
    Plant care
    Music
    Gardening
    Cooking & food
    Animals
    Hiking
    Dancing
    Mountain
    Yoga / Wellness
    Nature
    Camping
  • UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

    UN goals
    No poverty
    Zero hunger
    Good health and well-being
    Quality education
    Gender equality
    Clean water and sanitation
    Affordable and clean energy
    Decent work and economic growth
    Industries, innovation and infrastructure
    Reduce inequality
    Sustainable cities and communities
    Responsible consumption and production
    Climate action
    Life below water
    Life on land
    Peace, justice and strong institutions
    Partnerships for the goals
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    We are 5 km to a very active community with cultural events pretty much every weekend. The pyreness is on the doorstep, an adventure playground for those that love randonee, escalade, etc..

  • Help

    Help

    Vegetable growing, forest management.
    A wide variety of tasks available.
    Construction- as it is a renovation project there is plenty to be done in this area for those that have the skills, and for others bricolage projects and the possibility to work with professionals to learn when major works are being done.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    French: Fluent

    This host offers a language exchange
    Silvan's first expressive language was Auslan (Australian sign language), we both speak English, myself French, Silvan is learning French and says they are keen to learn Spanish!

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    caravan with wood burner or camping.

  • A little more information

    A little more information

    • Internet access

    • Limited internet access

      Limited internet access

    • We have pets

    • We are smokers

    • Can host families

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    There is a large terrain here. Dogs are welcome.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    More than two

Host ref number: 4593546284d6

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