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Renovation, gardening and much more in beautiful rural Lot, France

  • Favourited 124 times
  • Last activity: 26 Mar 2024

Availability

  2024 

 Min stay requested: at least 3 weeks

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Details

  • Description

    Description

    UPDATE: Next available period is June onwards

    Likely Projects:
    1. A lot of Gardening tasks!
    2. I have semi-completed plumbing. If you are used to fairly big plumbing systems, and want a challenge, I have a lot of pipes that need joining up.
    3. I need to build a staircase, I have all the ideas but not enough skills!
    4. Building shelves
    5. a lot of painting
    6. building shelving, cupboards etc especially using recovered wood
    7. anything from a long list mentioned below

    In General:
    I am renovating a house in France in the Lot department. My two hectares is being converted into a flower garden, vegetable garden, woodland area etc. I have three cats, and some chickens. In the summer we are fairly self-sufficient. The weather is glorious and we love the relaxed attitudes here. There is much to do so I am looking for volunteers that can help. It's impossible to list exact details so I have described the general projects below.

    I enjoy people with open minds, independent, and with initiative. Read on to find out more...

  • Types of help and learning opportunities

    Types of help and learning opportunities

    Gardening
    DIY and building projects
    General Maintenance
  • Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

    I am in lovely rural France, the wildlife here is fab so if you like open space and nature this is perfect. I am doing so much stuff there is lots to learn so this should be a benefit to both us as hosts and you as a helper. Being English I speak English at home, but we are surrounded by French locals so you can improve your French and-or your English. I am a good cook and love all types of cuisine so you will eat well.

  • Help

    Help

    THE GARDEN

    Always need help with the vegetable garden and creating the flower garden. I am especially interested in connecting with volunteers that have horticultural knowledge so that I can also improve my knowledge.

    * help continuing the vegetable garden
    * develop the flower garden.
    * general maintenance - mowing, weeding, watering, sowing etc.
    * planning the next crops and garden developments
    ________________________________________
    COMPLETING THE HOUSE & CARPENTRY

    Good carpenters and DIYer? Lots of jobs including:

    * build cupboards & shelves with recovered wood
    * would like to venetian plaster or microcement the 4 bathrooms
    * painting internal - walls & doors
    * painting external - shutters and doors
    * some furniture maintenance, renovation etc
    ________________________________________
    GENERAL TIDYING & CLEARING

    * general clearing and sorting, some heavyish lifting as I can't do it by myself
    * shifting furniture into the house from the barn
    ________________________________________
    POSSIBLE PROJECT

    I have an idea to turn the south field into a market garden or a food forest. If you have some ideas and want to contribute let me know.
    ________________________________________
    ABOUT YOU

    I need volunteers as funds are limited but I do not regard my volunteers as 'slaves' I try to match the work and hours with what is acceptable and interesting to them.
    I would love someone that is interested in food and drink.
    One person or a couple, any age, I love people with experience and stories to tell so that usually means late 20's plus, but I am open to all ideas. I am omniverous but don't eat meat that often so am very happy being vegetarian, I am passionate about good food.
    I am also interested in a permaculture and-or food forest partner.

    Everything is negotiable. I prefer someone looking for a longer stay - at least a month and even better if more; usually I suggest a trial for two weeks and then continue after if we are all happy.

  • Languages

    Languages spoken
    English: Fluent
    French: Intermediate
    Spanish: Beginner

    This host offers a language exchange
    I want to improve my French, I love language and get so frustrated that I can't always say what i really want to. I can help with English spoken and written - also all sorts of computer-related stuff

  • Accommodation

    Accommodation

    The house is not finished, I am now sleeping in my own bedroom, which is a luxury! You will have your own space with a good double bed, mattress and linen; I can also accommodate a camper van or similar if that is your preference.
    I prepare Lunch and dinner for my volunteers, you do as you wish for breakfast - there is always homemade bread, jams and marmalades plus other things in the fridge and biscuit tins

    About me (there is nowhere else to put this on a host profile so adding here).
    I am retired but energetic, really I think I'm Peter Pan! I used to teach Tango and had a club with many dance and fitness activities as well as exhibitions and parties. concurrently I worked with IT & business most of my life, in fact I am involved with a small startup right now. I have done many other things which make me multi-skilled and I have some interesting stories. I love creative, intelligent, challenging people. And, I already mentioned I am a food freak.

  • What else ...

    What else ...

    As we are rural there are all the outdoor activities such as walking, birdwatching, riding, cycling etc. we are also very close to the Lot river where you can swim, fish, and canoe. And of course there are the vineyards. There are fantastic markets here and a lot of medieval history and architecture. There is a ceramacist who gives classes just up the road. If you have a valid license you are welcome to borrow the car or a bicycle.
    We are 40 minutes from Cahors and 2 hours from Toulouse. Bordeaux is 3 ish hours away.

  • 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 host digital nomads

    Can host digital nomads

    I have fibre and wifi that is good (around 80mbps). But the phone signal here is somewhat inconsistent so calls can be frustrating although texts always work

  • Space for parking camper vans

    Space for parking camper vans

    Can accommodate anything you are likely to have, power no problem. Despite still being in renovation mode there are good water and loo facilities and washing machine.

  • Can possibly accept pets

    Can possibly accept pets

    Can accommodate a horse in the south field. A cat or dog is possible providing they are good with chickens and my three cats.

  • How many Workawayers can stay?

    How many Workawayers can stay?

    Two

  • ...

    Hours expected

    Open to negotiation - between 2-5 hours a day, 5 days a week (max 25/hours/week)

Host ref number: 479573395285

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