Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
12 Mar 2024
Reply rate
97.6 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
51
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Details
Description
I'm Jacqueline and I live in a former farm-house (17th century) 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 and daughter are here now and then, and our Labrador, cat, mare and donkey are here full time! There is the house and two barns - one a Gite and the other stables downstairs and a beautiful large yoga/meditation 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 number of fruit trees - figs, apples, kiwis and pears in season - and favour an organic plant-based/vegan diet.
Types of help and learning opportunities
GardeningDIY and building projectsAnimal CareCreating/ Cooking family mealsHelp around the houseGeneral MaintenanceCultural exchange and learning opportunities
Based in a very peaceful and healthy location, you can choose to use your time here to go within and retreat and/or to explore the beauty around you. Close to the town with the university, language or cultural study (mainly English with some French opportunities) is possible. Lots of experience and materials for learning English available. Also the possibility of starting or developing meditation and yoga. The spiritual work which we do through the non-profit part of our activities gives lots of opportunity for personal development. Workawayers can also explore the south-west of France or parts of Spain while based with us. Please note that this is an English-speaking household in France (even the dog, horse and donkey speak English!). Eating vegan is another area which can be shared (although we are happy to provide non-vegan foods as well).
Help
The property is fairly large (4 hectares, largely wooded) with a garden and terraced lawns around the house and the gite, an orchard, a field for the horse and donkey, and extensive woodland from which logs need to be brought up for our two woodburning stoves (the donkey needs to be trained to carry logs too!). General gardening, pruning and tidying are ongoing, lots of painting generally needs doing, grooming, haying up and mucking out the stables are ongoing tasks, collecting fruit and juicing in season, helping in and around the house would be welcome, carpentry, electrics, housework and cleaning - depending on what skills you bring. Experience with horses very helpful (although of course we can train and help you if you are willing) and knowledge and experience of using a chainsaw/axe always a plus!
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Italian: Intermediate
Spanish: BeginnerThis 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) with own shower room 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. Mountains and skiing not far. Lourdes is an easy day-trip and the Atlantic coast around Biarritz is within easy reach. Pau has a lot to offer in terms of sports and activities - an excellent indoor and outdoor pool complex, an olympic kayaking stadium, climbing, great golf courses and more.
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
Smallish vans only
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
Maximum 5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (22)
The property is perfectly located in a calm natural environment, but still close to the Town Pau with a regular bus connection or a 15 min bike trip.
On the weekends I went on daytrips to Lourde or Dax, which… read more
The property and its surroundings are perfect for a long walk and to spend some time outdoors. I learned new skills and also had the chance to meditate (which I greatly appreciated). Jacqueline and Anthony were lovely hosts, extremely patient and kind.… read more
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.9)
Cultural exchange:
(4.9)
Communication:
(4.9)
The property is perfectly located in a calm natural environment, but still close to the Town Pau with a regular bus connection or a 15 min bike trip.
On the weekends I went on daytrips to Lourde or Dax, which… read more
The property and its surroundings are perfect for a long walk and to spend some time outdoors. I learned new skills and also had the chance to meditate (which I greatly appreciated). Jacqueline and Anthony were lovely hosts, extremely patient and kind.… read more
C’était mon premier workaway, la barre est très haute pour les prochains.
Je conseille (sans… read more
The work wasn't hard, I worked in the garden, mainly transported wood from the forest with the lovely donkey Julia - I know, sounds crazy 😃 but its not as difficult and anciet as you can imagine ;)
That was something really… read more
My were varied and included painting, cooking, strimming, and… read more
Since summer is a busy time with the gite,… read more
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