France
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20/08/2019
Hello. With my husband, Laurence, I am embarking on a small business at our property in France - holding affordable retreats for 3-6 guests who are devoted to pursuing knitting/crochet projects. We are young retirees who enjoy swimming in the nearby river, cooking, playing music and laughing/chatting into the late evening. Among the on-going projects on-site are the following: trying to create a small potager - ie vegetable plot - and working on some decorating/home improvements prior to the launch of the retreats. Routine lawn-mowing and weeding are also regular chores. The area is rural and tranquil - the Creuse, central France, nearest airport: Limoges. Any help with the aforementioned jobs would be most welcome.
Some French language practice would be a wonderful bonus.
Gardening
General Maintenance
Help around the house
Language practice
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Cultural significance: The area is known for the impact of Monet and other Impressionist painters during the early-mid nineteenth century. There is much to learn, also about the later Crozant School of artists. Author Georges Sand lived not far away.
Lovers of canoeing/kayaking can enjoy the River Creuse and Lake Eguzon.
This is the least developed part of France, and agricultural is really the only economic activity. There is a simplicity and lack of consumerism in the surrounding area that is very refreshing (new tractors aside).
Friendly, communicative locals make learning/improving your French a pleasure.
There is a popular blues bar not far away with frequent live music nights.
Help with preparing soil for the potager - ie vegetable plot - planting and tending seedlings; help with decorating/home improvements; routine lawn-mowing and weeding ; French language practice would be a wonderful bonus.
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
French: Fluent
Volunteers will have a comfortable room (maybe having to share with one other person), in the house with use of shared shower-room and meals provided. Food / drink is quite expensive to buy, so we would have to ask volunteers to make a partial contribution to costs. This can be discussed.
Lazing in the garden, eg in a hammock, borrowing a bicycle, river-bathing (about 3 kms away) are some suggested leisure activities. There is a huge leisure lake about 18 mins by car to which we can sometimes drive volunteers.
Volunteers may also wish to accompany us to a nearby live music venue (12 mins by car) which has blues/rock acts more twice per week in summer, in the middle of the countryside!
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Two
Maximum 3-4 hours a day, 5 days a week
