France
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Hi!
My name is James, I'm 60 years old and I've been living in France for the last 30 years.
For the next three months, march-may ( I hope to finish restoring a ruin I bought four years ago, turning it into a imaginative home suitable for the 21st century. (I hope!)
I need help with alot of gardening (creation rather than maintenance)a bit of decorating, building a timber framed lean to shed. The heavy work has been mainly finished, but the lawn needs preparing and seeding, and I'd love to create a proper kitchen garden.
Spring is upon us, so now is the time! I've just come out of hospital with a new hip...which means I cant do the gardening work myself right now, so I'm really hoping someone out there will be able to help!
I'm very happy to welcome couples or a single workawayer.
I have two daughters, who both live and work abroad (UK and Japan)
After working very hard, for the last 35 years I have now adopted a slower pace of life.
I am based in Normandy in France a 5 minute drive from the sea, and in easy reach of The Landing beaches, Mont St Michel, the Bayeux tapestry...so plenty for you to see. I'd you're mobile, so much the better, otherwise I have bikes and can occasionally take you off somewhere for a visit. ( I cant drive until mid April)
While working on the renovation, you would be living with me. It is already very comfortable,
Your would have a private bedroom and sitting room, and your own en suite bathroom.
I'm looking for help with general building/decorating work, and landscaping/ garden maintenance. Or alternatively someone to look after the daily chores around the house ... cooking shopping cleaning meal planning etc.
Experience would be good but isn't essential, though willingness to help and having a positive outlook is important. Being practical and adaptable is essential.
By choice, I don't eat meat very often, or much in the way of processed foods: Mainly fresh and preferably locally produced...maybe you can help make a kitchen garden?
Please, if you have to, only smoke outside. Thank you.
I have fast (optic fibre) WiFi and am planning to make this a 'smart' rénovation, and will be using smart infra red panels controlled by motion sensors, thermostats and mobile apps to heat the house. Anyone interested in smart houses?
This is a great opportunity to see what this beautiful part of France has to offer, and also to learn and get hands on experience of lots of things you might need to know to renovate a house.
I also have a cat, Trouble who rules the house.
Travel here by train to Coutances, approx 3.5 hrs from Paris.
I look forward to meeting you!!
(Any language exchange is also possible... I am a native english speaker and have a good level of french and poor (very poor) Italian, which I'd love to improve.
Language practice
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Lots to see and do in this famous tourist area. Beaches and culture. Mont st Michel, the Normandy landing beaches, the Bayeux tapestry, 12th century Cathedrals etc Plus,! as I have all the necessary experience to renovate a house from the ground up, you might be able to pick up some useful skills along the way!
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Some carpentry work, gardening,
Language practice(?), Gardening.
Use of electric tools.
Help loading and unloading materials etc
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Italian: Beginner
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.
A private suite of rooms with superfast wifi.
Mont St. Michel, the Normandy landings, the Bayeux tapestry, The local beach, local seafood (oysters, mussels crab etc) local markets.. Accompany me to Antiques auctions, vide greniers and fairs on days off...I have 30 yrs experience in french antiques which I'm also happy to share.
I expect you to muck in with me in the household chores, cooking washing up etc rather than expect me to do it all for you.
If you were thinking of moving to live in France, this could be an excellent opportunity to get some experience. I am fully integrated in life out here, and know how it works, having been a governor of my daughters school, on the committee at a local club, and done translation for the local town hall.
I'm more than happy to share how to make a go of the expariate life over here, if that's what you're after. (Though I wouldn't say I'm a typical expat)
Do get in touch!
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
I have wife and a fibre optic internet connection
Lots of space to park your vehicle.
Two
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
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