Live with our animals in rural Normandy, France

Details

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  Description

  It’s a very rural, quiet area, very scenic, suitable for those who love the outdoors and nature.
  Our home is a ménagerie where the creatures share with us. We have five small dogs ( who usually accompany us), two cats , chickens( who occasionally accompany us on holiday!), ducks, geese, doves, and cockatiels, four sheep and eight horses.
  Don’t be put off by the number in our clan! We’ve had lots of creatures all our lives so things are set up to look after everyone in the quickest and easiest way.
  
  Everyone is healthy and happy and we like to keep it that way as far as possible.
  
  Our house is a partial renovation so although we have a kitchen, bathroom, etc with hot water the heating is only from a wood burner.
  It is a perfect place to enjoy time out from the rat race and soak up rural life. There’s a lot to do roundabout but it’s all based outside. The area is not full of coffee shops, restaurants, bars or cinemas.
  
  There is always a lot to do at the small holding so people can do as little or as much as takes their fancy. We’re mostly looking for people happy to be here while we’re away for shortish periods of time. But if a single person or couple wanted to stay on in the shepherd’s hut on a work / food / accommodation swap then that would be fine too.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  General Maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Van life

  

  Pets

  

  Farming

  

  Photography

  

  Drawing & painting

  

  Carpentry

  

  Art & design

  

  Animals

  

  Nature

  

  Outdoor activities

  

  Mountain

  

  Hiking

  

  Cycling

  

  Adventure sports
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We’re an English family but French is also spoken.
  I’ve competed horses at international level in eventing so there is a lot of horse knowledge to share.
  The area is filled with rural and agricultural fairs and events. Within an hours drive we have rock climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, river swimming.
  Also tourist attractions like Haras du Pin , Camembert, Falaise castle,Mont Ormel Normandy landing beaches . You will easily fill your days with things to do but bring a good waterproof jacket! It’s Normandy. It rains !

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  Help

  Pet sitting responsibilities would be ensuring that all the small creatures and fed, watered and healthy.
  
  We would not expect anyone to do any specific work with the animals outside of this. Obviously contacting us as soon as possible should any problems arise so that we could return.
  
  There are horses here that the neighbour will happily check. ( Expect visits from them anyhow to keep an eye on the creatures). However you would need to ensure they had hay and water , although they would not need any handling whatsoever.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  Possibly. I’m a qualified English TEFL teacher. Interested in exchange of other languages particularly french for my son. I’m rubbish myself at other languages!
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  Accommodation

  In the house if we are away in a shepherds hut if we are here. If you are here as a house sit then there would be well under 15 hours work a week so you could be expected to find your own food.
  If you’re here while we here the choice is yours. To work under 15 hours or the 25 hours to include food. Cooking will be shared and expect fluid meal times unless you want to prepare your own meals to suit yourself/ yourselves.
  Outside and animals take priority. We fit round them, our leisure ( sporting) activities and the weather.

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  What else ...

  We don’t smoke in house, we don’t drink much, we’re not drug users. So prefer you fulfill that criteria but smoking outside fine.
  We are omnivores but other eaters welcome but you will need to prepare you own specialised dietary requirements.
  Our life is fairly chaotic we don’t stick to schedules for anything. You must be happy in muddle !

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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