Be part of an evolving creative adventure in Perigord Noir, France

Details

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  Description

  Bonjour!
  Join us in a beautiful, peaceful Domaine in the Perigord Noir as we set about creating a respite for family & friends. A home, and a place to give energy and eventually to bring together creatives and their passions with ateliers from all over the world.
  
  The property is close to the Dordogne / Lot border and spans just over three hectares. With a large main house, apartment, two (as yet un-renovated) but beautiful old Granges, a pool, lovely gardens, woodland and pretty meadowland – it’s set in beautiful rolling countryside with fabulous views.
  
  We, (the owner plus boisterous puppy!), moved here from NL almost two years ago. We would like some help completing some small but impactful improvement projects around the property, mainly in the gardens.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects
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  Interests

  

  Self development

  

  Fashion or beauty

  

  Culture

  

  Writing

  

  Gardening

  

  Architecture

  

  Art & design

  

  Animals
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  It’s a beautiful part of France, with abundant wildlife, and ideal for nature-lovers with no shortage of amazing hikes and other activities (kayaking, caving, biking, riding etc) on the doorstep. It’s a perfect spot for history buffs, full of beautiful mediaeval villages and tons of amazing chateaux. It’s also a foodie paradise with fabulous local markets selling lots of seasonal produce nearby.
  
  If you like treasure hunting, then there’s plenty of opportunity to join on my regular brocante, vide-grenier and antique trips - depending on the brocante calendar. You would also be invited to join in with local life, whether that’s visiting friends, entertaining at home or local events. In short, expect full immersion!
  
  I’m happy to share my work, language, life experience & skills with you – and hope to learn from you in return. My native language is English, I’m working on improving my slightly rusty intermediate French and have basic-mid level Dutch. My career is in global communications (spanning fashion & lifestyle, corporates and healthcare through to wildlife, sustainability and NGO work) and I’m also a writer. Being from an international background - I have UK, Zimbabwean, South African heritage, have lived in multiple countries, travelled extensively and my immediate family live all over the world - I’m fortunate to have friends from across many nationalities and cultures. As a result, in my view, the more culturally diverse the group the more interesting for everyone!

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  Help

  With a property this size there is always a lot going on! While there are professional artisans working on specific renovations (builders, electricians, carpenters, masons and ironmongers) there are tons of smaller projects across the property.
  
  So, I’m looking for two to four volunteers at any one time. You could be solo or join as a couple. You’ll be sociable, creative and flexible – and willing to get stuck into the various projects alongside me, and occasionally friends and family, for two to four weeks.
  
  For each stay the volunteer help will be divided between daily life, on-going and one-off projects, the aim being that volunteers can have that sense of achievement in starting and finishing a project during their stay as well as being part of on-going / longer-term projects. See the list of potential projects below.
  
  In return for your help and enthusiasm, you’ll be living as part of the family in a beautiful, historical, property with areas dating from 1760. The views alone will definitely give you a spring in your step! Breakfast, lunch & dinner is included and you’ll have your own bedroom with a comfy double bed and private bathroom.
  
  I love to cook, preferably with local ingredients from the many local markets, but don’t consider this a solitary affair and while everything for breakfast, lunch and dinner will be provided (within a reasonable budget) everyone will be expected to muck in with food preparation and clear-up. Day-to-day breakfast will be up to individual preference and of the help yourself variety. Lunch will also be a casual affair depending on what everyone’s doing, then dinner will be a good opportunity to properly sit down together, chat and share. Food here consists of everything, so if you are strictly vegetarian, vegan or have a specific allergy you will need to be more involved in the cooking to accommodate these.
  
  There is someone cleaning professionally once a week, however, I’d also expect everyone to participate in daily household tasks, such as laundry, sorting the recycling and basic household cleaning so we all have a pleasant environment to enjoy on a day-to-day basis. In summary:
  
  1 – Everyone contributes to the daily life routine: participating in cooking, laundry and basic cleaning.
  
  2 - Examples of one-off projects on the list include:
  - Re-establishing the property’s well, fountain and pond to create a natural, sustainable water source.
  - Creating a new potager area so we can begin the process of becoming more self-sufficient with our own produce.
  - Building a platform or treehouse, and other garden nooks, for those beautiful sundown moments in the meadow.
  - Planting new lawns.
  
  3 - Examples of on-going / longer-term projects:
  - General seasonal gardening tasks – there’s always something to be mown, cleared or chopped, plus there are some new areas of the garden to design and plant. Especially as a lot of the garden was dug up during recent renovations, so we need to re-plant lawns, power-clean walls & terraces, restore borders, do new planting etc.
  - Help with some small interiors projects - this could be painting a room or creatively transforming some of the old ‘found’ items from the grange or making shelves or fixing brocante finds etc.
  
  You don’t need to have specific prior experience for any of the above, but you do need to be happy to get stuck in, open to learning new skills and be a good team player. A key aim is to create a small group which will mix well, learn from each other, work hard and have fun.
  
  While eventually the intention is to have a business aspect to the property, with ateliers in the future, this will only be once the granges are renovated. So, all the projects you’ll be working on are non-commercial.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Intermediate
  Dutch: 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.
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  Accommodation

  Three double bedrooms and bathrooms on the top floor in the main house. Or a double bedroom in the self-contained apartment, with a bathroom, living area with small kitchen and private terrace. All rooms have comfy beds, furniture and a cosy feel - even if they may not be completely re-decorated yet! There are two living rooms, and plenty of comfy spots outside in which to relax too.

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  What else ...

  As outlined above, the Perigord Noir is a beautiful region, with plenty of history including a plethora of chateaux, scenic villages and amazing prehistoric caves. There’s lot to see and do. In your free-time, aside from the sight-seeing and activities of the region, you can go wild swimming in the rivers nearby, enjoy the (unheated) pool (open from mid/end May), or just find a nice relaxing spot around the property.
  
  There is strong wifi across the property, one of the first things to be installed, so the internet is generally good but be aware this is rural France so there can be occasional interruptions from the service provider – seemingly usually weather based! We do have fibre-optic internet but it is still sometimes less reliable than the same you'd find in big cities. So, if you’re a digital nomad you should be fine.
  
  You’ll need to be a fan of dogs, plus wildlife in general. The puppy is a boisterous character, and there are often other canine visitors.We also have a barn / occasional indoor cat - depending on her mood! The property is home to wild boar, deer, abundant birdlife (including owls and birds of prey), coypu, occasional visiting cats (domestic & wild), beautifully decorated salamanders and of course, being in the French countryside, there are also plenty of local farm animals around and the odd, non-dangerous, snake (but you rarely see these). Insect life is varied with cicadas, praying mantis, butterflies, bees and all sorts of both the beautiful and occasionally, annoying, variety – of which I mean mozzies : )
  
  The property is on the edge of a small village where there is a restaurant. The area has a lovely community feel, with lots of local artists and an interesting mix of French and international people. However, we’re pretty rural. The nearest boulanger is 4km away, and it is a ten minute drive to the nearest weekly market or supermarket, and a 30min drive to a larger town, eg: Sarlat. The nearest big SNCF train station is Gourdon or Siorac en Perigord. The closest airport is Bergerac, then (by distance), Brives, Toulouse, Bordeaux.
  
  I’m happy to help with train / bus pick-up’s if necessary and there will be plenty of opportunity to join on excursions to markets, brocantes and local towns and villages. However, having your own transport is highly recommended and would really help you make the most of the many sights and activities in the area. Depending on your dates there is the possibility of a car you may borrow.
  
  A few no-no’s to be aware of - no ‘hassle’ people! Meaning no previous convictions or an appetite for trouble or drama, and no drugs or drug-dependency please (alcohol / pills etc). You may smoke (cigarettes) on the property but please keep it outside only, and, of course, this is France so wine and beer will be available with dinner if you want it.
  
  It goes without saying (I would hope) but a respectful attitude towards others is essential. If you have a happy, positive, resourceful, can-do attitude, some interesting conversation and are fun to be around then we’ll all have a great time.
  
  At this stage, I don’t accept children or animals (dogs / cats etc).
  
  What would you need to bring? Some work clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty – as most of the projects we’ll be doing are outside. Boots are advisable, both for work or muddy country walks. In the Spring / Summer both sun and rain protection is essential! I’d also suggest you bring swimming kit and one smarter / party / evening outfit.
  
  Full disclosure, this is my first Workaway hosting posting as we've been undergoing a good 18m of renovation! Prior to that we did have two people staying for six weeks in a similar arrangement which went well. So, if there’s any essential info missing, please do ask.
  
  Some questions for you:
  If any of this has sparked your interest, or you have additional questions, please do get in touch. It would also be helpful if you would answer the following Q’s:
  
  1 – About you – what makes you tick? What are your interests, skills, experiences? What do you want to achieve from your Workaway experience?
  2 – What appeals most to you in this description?
  3 – Of the projects mentioned, which are you most fired up about?
  4 - What dates are you available? And for how long would you be looking to stay?
  
  Look forward to hearing from you soon.

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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

  If you have a camper van, it can be accommodated parking wise - provided it's not gigantic!

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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