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Last replied
29 Sep 2014
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Description
Hi I am Aaron, at various times a classical musician, a consultant and product guru for several major businesses and start-ups in the UK and U.S. and lastly a chef ( I have been a passionate cook since the age of 10) . I am also an out, loud and proud gay man.
For several months of the year I host and run learning holidays (cooking, wine-tasting, creative writing and painting courses and retreats) for small groups of people in the north Deux Sevres, close to the historic town of Thouars. My home is located in the middle of the countryside, next to an abbey, on the GR36, one of the pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela; it's pretty common to see shell bearing pilgrims, and even the odd donkey, trundle past.
The Thouarsais region is a farming region and is famous for wine. It is classified as a 'vignoble du Val-de-Loire', although technically the town itself is located just outside. Our administrative region is Poitou-Charentes, but Thouars considers itself to be a Loire town, from its architecture and history you will see why. We orient most of our activities toward the Loire. Nearby places and towns of interest include:
Chinon - famous for red wine, associations with Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitane and Joan of Arc
Fontevraud l'Abbaye - burial site of Henry II, Eleanor of Aquitaine and Richard the Lionheart
Saumur - famed for sparkling wines, red champigny, its castle on the Loire and Le Cadre Noire - the military riding academy
Oiron - biodynamic winery, superb modern art collection in its Chateau
I started a business and a different lifestyle with my husband, Wayne, back in 2010 when we were both still consulting in London and Washington DC. When we were starting out, we welcomed a number of Workaway people here in 2014 and enjoyed the experience a great deal.
I lost my husband Wayne, quite suddenly, in early 2023 but after a break I continued to live here and run the business by myself. This was already quite a feat with two of us running it, so certain elements of my life, working through many elements of household organisation and sorting through my husband's papers, have had to take a back seat.
I employ a housekeeper and two gardeners who look after the house and garden for my guests. This year I also began to make important changes to our online presence. I am now looking at how I might change the business, but to do some of that means that I want to better organise my property, to sort through boxes and sort them into staying, selling, donating to charity etc. I have very little personal time, so this is no fun to do alone.
This is a gay owned businesses
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Animal Care
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
House & pet sitting
Interests
Water sports
Dancing
Technology
Politics / Social justice
LGBTQ
Events & social
Culture
Pets
Sustainability
Self development
Animals
Astronomy
Drawing & painting
Writing
Performing arts
Hitchhiking
Gardening
Languages
Photography
Plant care
Music
DIY & crafts
Books
Art & design
Architecture
Cooking & food
Blogging
Cycling
Hiking
Fitness
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You could certainly learn to become a better cook and to understand how the kitchen is run. I think it is an ideal experience for anybody who is considering a similar business.
Help
As I mentioned, this is a gay owned businesses and are welcoming environments for members of the gay community and allies.
I need some extra pairs of hands to help me get some of the organisation done that I have been putting off and that I rarely have time to do when I am working by myself. There are odd things to do in the garden, organisation (and some clearing out) of the barns and sorting through a lot of boxes and furniture that currently live in the painting/yoga studio. Mostly it is about getting rid of quite a lot of stuff. I thought I might end up having a yard sale at the end of the summer. In many cases it will be a question of sorting through a lot of boxes and furniture so that I know what needs to stay and what needs to go to the dump, the market or Ebay. Also the odd art project. This will best suit someone who enjoys helping with others but also relishes helping as a self-directed individual.
When I am not running courses and for those who have an interest, you would be welcome to watch or assist in the kitchen, when we are preparing lunch or dinner together. And of course there will be lots of chances to learn and pick-up tips and recipes. If there are guests here, there may also be opportunities to tag along on some vineyard and chateau visits. It is a fun, creative environment.
As our helper you will enjoy free accommodation, the same kind that our guests enjoy, and all food in exchange for an average of four hours work per day. We can work out the specific timetable as there are times when it may make more sense to compress the time and take a day or days off.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Italian: Intermediate
Accommodation
You will enjoy the same type of room as our guests
What else ...
We are in the middle of nowhere so there aren't any shops cafes nearby, but we do make sure that we get out. There are lots of places to go for long walks and a lively dog (Cips) who loves being taken for walks.
You will meet cooks and writers from different parts of the globe who come here to improve their craft or just to find a tranquil spot to complete some work or to have fun.
We prepare three meals a day, the last of which is always taken communally. We are highly rated for the food and many writers come back to take cooking classes.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
I haven't hosted a digital nomad but I have been one for a number of years. The house is equipped with a mesh network so every room benefits from the high speed fibre internet connection.
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
Cipollina (Cips)
Cips is a rambunctious cocker spaniel whose favourite food group is toast (my toast and likely your toast)
