Volunteer in an old farmhouse near centre of Pau, France

France

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Host rating
Feedback
32
Last activity
21/01/2022
Nº of Facebook friends
39
Reply rate
82.8 %
Average reply time:
within 3 days
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Availability

2022

Min stay requested: at least 2 weeks

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Description
Jacqueline and I - Anthony - live in a former farm-house in the countryside but 10 minutes from the centre of Pau, 45 from the Pyrenees and an hour and a half from Biarritz. Our sons 30, 27 and daughter 23 are here now and then, and our Labrador, mare and two donkeys are here full time! There is the house and two barns - one a Gite and the other stables downstairs and a beautiful large space above (see below). Our work (not yours) involves teaching English, servicing the gite and its guests, sometimes welcoming a guest in the house to learn English (usually one week's immersion) and also running an association teaching meditation and yoga in our large Dharma room. We have a lot of fruit - figs, apples and pears in season - and favour an organic plant-based/vegan diet.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Based in a very peaceful and healthy location, close to the town with the university, possible language or cultural study (English or French) and the possibility of starting or developing meditation and yoga, Workawayers could also explore the south-west of France while based with us. Please note that this is an English-speaking household in France (even the dog, horse and donkeys speak English!). We can help direct you to French study opportunities, and provide materials for you to work with, and you are surrounded by France and the French, but Anthony and Jacqueline are British.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
The property is fairly large with a garden shared with guests in the gite, an orchard, a field looked after by the horse, and extensive woodland from which the donkeys bring up logs occasionally. General gardening and tidying are ongoing, lots of painting needs doing, helping with the donkeys to fill the log shed would be great, grooming, haying up and mucking out might feature, collecting fruit and juicing in season, helping in and around the house would be welcome, rigging up the hydro-generator? - depending on what skills you bring.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Spanish: Intermediate
This host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
One of our sons' bedrooms on the top floor (with a view over the valley and a small bit of mountains) sharing one of the bathrooms on the floor below. Alternatively (depending on other guests we have), the single room next to the Dharma Room which also has its own small bathroom (compost loo) and kitchenette.
What else ...
Plenty of walking and running - or exercising the mare - among the surrounding Jurancon vineyards, and cycling - though it is hilly round here (that's why the Tour de France comes though Pau most years), good trains to Bordeaux and Toulouse, not far from Lourdes. Pau is only 10 minutes by bus and is a lovely French town with a chateau. Spain is an hour away. There's a piano you're welcome to play; our dog Cosmo would love you to take him for a walk.....
A little more information
- Internet access
- Limited internet access
- We have pets
- We are smokers
- Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Optical fibre internet connection is a recent addition.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week

Photos

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Feedback left by and about host (32)

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)

Cultural exchange:
(4.9)

Communication:
(5.0)

02/01/2022

Left by host for Workawayer (Cillian)

We were very happy to welcome Cillian for three weeks at the end of 2021 and he was a great asset and help for us. At that time of year there were rather a lot of leaves to be dealt with, but he was also able to do a lot of work splitting logs and bringing them up from the woods with the help of Julia the donkey. Then there was the shiny white… read more

(Excellent )

10/11/2021

Left by host for Workawayer (Jette)

Jette was with us for a month this autumn and we were delighted to have her here. She fitted in really well with the family and our routines and was a great help on the property. She worked well on her own with routine tasks (like keeping on top of the leaves or feeding the horse/donkeys), with me clearing masses of branches and logs from a huge… read more

(Excellent )

26/10/2021

Left by Workawayer (Jette) for host

I had such a beautiful month with Jaqueline, Anthony and Imogen and couldn’t have wished for a better first workaway experience! I am so thankful towards this supportive and loving family for making me feel at home! I miss the beautiful farm and of course the lovely animals :) Working on the grounds with Anthony or the animals was always fun and I… read more

(Excellent )

07/09/2021

Left by Workawayer (Rachael) for host

I spent 3 weeks at Anthony and Jacqueline’s home and I couldn’t have imagined a better workaway. What made this workaway special was the kindness and welcoming nature of the whole family (even Cosmo the dog). By the end of my stay I felt they were more like family than hosts.

My were varied and included painting, cooking, strimming, and… read more

(Excellent )

07/09/2021

Left by host for Workawayer (Rachael)

Rachael was with us for three weeks in July 21 and it was wonderful to have her here and to have her help. She made a really big difference in the woods splitting and moving piles of logs (since she left I have found yet another enormous pile beautifully cut and stacked!) and did some splendid painting and filling in the meditation room and house.… read more

(Excellent )

23/04/2021

Left by host for Workawayer (Maximilian)

Maximillian was with us for four weeks at the beginning of 2021 and it was a totally positive experience. He was very pleasant company and fitted in perfectly with everybody in the household and the routine as well. He did all the different jobs really well, efficiently and just as we wanted them done. Preparing, sanding and painting shutters and… read more

(Excellent )

07/02/2021

Left by host for Workawayer (Joneen)

Joneen and the (largely unseen!) Yum Yum were with us for three weeks at the beginning of 2020 and it was a delight to have her with us. She fitted in very well with the routines and the family, and was really helpful with all the jobs she took on. Among other things we are left with immaculately painted shutters, healthily pruned fig and apple… read more

(Excellent )

03/02/2021

Left by Workawayer (Joneen) for host

What a privilege to stay with a wonderful family. Had the opportunity to learn new things and to share my skills as cook and painter. Also, learnt that straw and hay are different. For a city gal, like myself, this is very nice to know! Also got comfortable with the horse and donkeys. Even had opportunity to groom the horse. This was a rare treat… read more

(Excellent )

07/02/2021

Left by host for Workawayer (Jonathan)

Jonathan was with us at Loustalot for 10 days or so in August 2020 and it was really great him being here. He fitted in so well and was helpful and hard-working with all the maintenance jobs that we have, doing things thoroughly and well. Apart from everything else, he left us with some beautifully designed and original steps down to the orchard -… read more

(Excellent )

22/10/2020

Left by Workawayer (Eva) for host

Staying with Jacqueline and Anthony was such a lovely experience! Everyone that I met while staying at Loustalot, being animals or people, was filled with such kindness. They hosted me in their warm home for just about a month, earlier this year. The work schedule was varied, and there was always something fun to do. I mostly loved chopping wood… read more

(Excellent )

01/07/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Eva)

Eva was with us for a month early in the year and shortly before the global lockdown. It was a delight to have her here to help us and from the beginning she fitted in really well both with the family and the way of life. She helped us willingly and a lot, taking on routine tasks as well as quickly completing projects we asked of her, sometimes… read more

(Excellent )

27/09/2020

Left by Workawayer (Leela) for host

I had a great time at Jacqueline and Anthony's ! Very interesting and welcoming hosts, pretty surroundings and house, good food, adorable animals, bus access to Pau, simple tasks, time and tranquility within nature ! Thank you again ;)

(Excellent )

19/08/2020

Left by Workawayer (Kevin) for host

I had a wonderful experience at Loustalot and highly recommend it. Anthony and Jacqueline are lovely people who offer a peaceful environment for you to grow in. I learned much from them both and will take these lessons with me as I move forward. This is an ideal example of how workaway is supposed to be.

(Excellent )

01/07/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Kevin)

Kevin was with us for a month after a challenging confinement in the Basque country. He worked very hard and very willingly while he was with us and was keen to complete the major projects we had which involved clearing and repairing paths blocked by fallen trees, turning those trunks into logs, and extending our log shed to take all the extra… read more

(Excellent )

25/02/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Norah)

Norah was with us for a month and a half over what could have been a very difficult period during which we had to be away for an unexpected funeral over the Christmas period. Fortunately it all fitted in with Norah's plans so that we were able to leave the house and the animals in her capable hands. Norah had a knack of finding out just how we… read more

(Excellent )

21/02/2020

Left by Workawayer (Norah) for host

I highly recommend staying with Jacqueline and Anthony. A beautiful place with beautiful people and beautiful animals. Cosmo the dog will bark at you in the beginning but only for a short time. Afterwards he will love you. It is just his way of saying hello :-) The food is very delicious and healthy and the house is very cosy. I stayed in… read more

(Excellent )

02/12/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Sydney)

Sydney was with us for the best part of three weeks and was a tremendous help to us and a great friend to the animals. She adopted Cosmo and looked after the horse and donkeys so well (particularly Julia's sore hoof!) that they are still asking when she is coming back! She was a super-fast painter working well alone and using her initiative, as… read more

(Excellent )

05/11/2019

Left by Workawayer (Sydney) for host

Staying with Jacqueline and Anthony was a beautiful, peaceful experience full of learning & laughter! I spent 2 lovely weeks there and would have stayed much longer, but already had pre-existing plans to travel to Norway. It didn't take long to consider their gorgeous property home, they made everything clear and comfortable, tasks were suited to… read more

(Excellent )

16/11/2019

Left by Workawayer (jessy) for host

My time at Jacqueline and Anthony's home was a great human experience, they really are welcoming and kind. The house is charming and cosy. The work I had to do seemed like I was living there and be a part of the family: painting walls, picking up the leaves, cleaning Dharma room or the house, preparing the garden, taking care of animals and many… read more

(Excellent )

07/11/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (jessy)

Jessy stayed with us for almost three weeks and throughout that time was excellent company, really fitted in, and helped us a great deal both in the house and outside in the orchard, fields and woods. She showed considerable initiative and worked well in a team with the other Workawayer who was here. There was also some delicious cooking and very… read more

(Excellent )

07/11/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Jorge)

Jorge was only with us for a relatively short time but felt very much a member of the family. He was a tremendous help to us, from sculpting an immense flight of steps in the garden to a little informal family tennis coaching! Good fun to have around, a hard worker and always showed initiative - welcome back anytime!

(Excellent )

15/03/2019

Left by Workawayer (Irene) for host

I've been so thankful to Jacqueline and Anthony for helping me out on a very short term, picking me up from a train station, and being flexible. It was great to come to a peaceful place where visitors come for healing and retreat, you'll have a chance to join meditation and more. It's close to Pau and various wine estates. Jacqueline and Anthony… read more

(Excellent )

11/02/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Irene)

We were very happy to be able to help Irene move at short notice from somewhere local to us that wasn't working out for her. She was great workawaying here with some good painting and working with our donkey Julia to her credit, and we all got on really well. We wish her all the best.

(Excellent )

11/03/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Henna)

We really loved having Henna with us, she is a great worker, experienced, open-minded and helpful in so many ways. She has a lovely artistic sense and yet is also strong and practical, a great friend to the animals too. We would have been more than happy for her to stay longer!

(Excellent )

18/10/2018

Left by Workawayer (Henna) for host

I enjoyed my stay with in Anthonys and Jaquelines place. They were very informative and helpful already before my arrival as I hitchhiked my way down to Pau. They were really understanding and flexible, and I could decide which time of the day I wanted to work and so on. I felt good about them trusting me with the work as well, and on the first… read more

(Excellent )

11/03/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Marjolijn)

We loved having Marjolijn with us on two occasions as she was passing through France. She was open and thoughtful about everything we had going on here and was helpful in so many ways,. A very meticulous and thorough worker, an excellent cleaner and very good company. We would love to see her again and recommend her to other hosts.

(Excellent )

13/02/2019

Left by Workawayer (Liam) for host

Anthony and Jacqueline were absolutely wonderful to stay with for two weeks. They were clear and up front about what was expected from me, and the work was consistently engaging and rewarding. When I wasn't working I was able to relax and read a good book recommended by Jacqueline or explore Pau. The food was always great, the house was cozy, and… read more

(Excellent )

11/02/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Liam)

We were delighted to have Liam with us. He fitted in really well, was a very good communicator and a hard and thorough workawayer (sometimes I found he had done and finished something only mentioned in passing as a possible future job!) Remembered for his enthusiastic wood chopping and brilliant floor sanding among other things. Sorry to see him… read more

(Excellent )

22/09/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (colin & Alegra)

Colin was with us for a shorter time than we would have liked but certainly gave full measure - from bringing up (with the help of our donkeys Julia and Venus) and stacking piles and piles of logs, to rewiring some gnawed cables under the floor of our meditation room very quickly and professionally. He was very easy to have around - with the… read more

(Excellent )

20/07/2018

Left by Workawayer (Lynn) for host

I spent two weeks in early June at the Wither’s lovely estate in Jurançon. My tasks included cleaning the Dharma room (removing cobwebs, vacuuming, and mopping), painting a metal chair, weeding, assisting with changing over the gîte (guesthouse), as well as cleaning/sanding and oiling four teak chairs.

Since summer is a busy time with the gite,… read more

(Very good )

27/03/2018

Left by Workawayer (Florence) for host

Jacqueline and Anthony are very serene, caring and interesting people. It is very nice to be with them and in their property, which is very relaxing and alive at the same time (often of the passage).
The nature is beautiful, and close to the bus to Pau or other cities. My health was very good with organic food, meditation, piano, walks, and… read more

(Excellent )

23/03/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Florence)

It was very nice to have Flo staying and working with us. She was a hard and thorough working volunteer - carefully pruning one of the apple trees and bringing loads of logs up from the woods with Julia the donkey among other things - and cheerfully got on with whatever needed doing in the house or outside. She fitted in very well and we wish her… read more

(Excellent )

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