Happy, busy but relaxed home in the Charente, France

Details

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  Description

  Stop press! HELP! Labour/ muscle and or skilled trades to help urgently (torn ligament)!
  
  Hi all, a little introduction; We are a family of five, there’s us and our 3 kids, boys of 16 & 14 & girl of 12 (and our little dogs, cat and rabbits) who moved to France from England for a simpler, less hectic lifestyle.
  We are renovating a C14 strong house in traditional methods and materials in the beautiful Charente countryside, within striking distance of some fantastic places. Bordeaux, Cognac, La Rochelle beach within 2 hours and ski slopes are within 3 hours. Poitiers, Angouleme, a subterranean cathedral, countless Chateau and attractions within 1 hour, two of the most picturesque villages in France less than 10 minutes away. Locally there are shops, restaurants, riverside bars, chateau, a C12 abbey and a river beach.
  
  Come and join us, helping around the house, organic garden project, or with the renovation project, enjoy French culture, learn some new skills and have some fun along the way.
  
  We have places for one or several people with good DIY or building experience from now onwards with a few bookings for spring and summer so far! Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’re planning a trip for this year! 😁

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We are all fluent in French and English, so learning at least the basics of a language if not more (from speaking it on a daily basis) would be possible. This would be a great opportunity to explore the French language, culture and history, from a great launch point in the heart of south west France. Along with this, learning traditional methods for the repair of historic buildings would benefit anyone wishing to understand the theory and practice of dying arts. There are markets, village meals, festivals and events every day of every weekend from spring until late Autumn, brocantes too, lot and lots to see and do.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  We are looking people to come and help us with our renovation project and sustainable garden project.
  The requirement is quite flexible, anyone who would like to join us could help with the renovation project or general maintenance and gardening say 4 days a week, leaving long weekends to explore the region. This would probably look like 9am to 4pm and would certainly be flexible, but it is manual labour and some heavy lifting would be involved.
  
  Experience in renovations or construction would be a bonus, manual work and good diy skills at a minimum. Being a heritage buildings consultant who runs training courses in varying subjects relating to historic building repair (from dry stone walling to pointing and building in traditional methods and materials), means everything regarding renovation of old buildings could be learned if you wish.
  A desire to learn traditional methods of construction from a heritage master craftsman and some high quality DIY expérience would be well received :0)

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  Languages spoken

  English: Fluent
  French: Fluent
  Spanish: Beginner

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  Accommodation

  We are offering for solo travelers and or couples/small families to share a cottage in the beautiful Charente countryside directly in between two of the top 100 prettiest villages in France. It is well renovated and quirky, cool in summer and cozy in winter, for the duration of the stay (with no bills to pay). It is furnished with a double room and a double with two large single beds and the usual furniture. The use of bikes is available for the local villages 3km, lifts to town with train station 8km not a problem.
  
  Self catering with all food and soft drinks supplied while here, cereals, bread, toast and jams, tea, coffee pastas, rice and sauces, fruit, eggs and and veg from the garden and whatever other shopping you choose in particular.

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  What else ...

  Locally there are numerous historic and cultural attractions, most weekends from spring to fall there are events locally ranging from open air art exhibitions, communal meals (hog roasts, steak/moules frites), fetes with fireworks, local markets, music events and evenings, numerous Brocantes and antiques markets. There are recreation facilities nearby, a river beach for swimming, canoeing, kyacking, treetop adventures and of course the perfect area for walking and cycling.
  Further afield there are countless historic and beautiful places, medieval towns and villages to visit, not to mention the multitude of tourist parks and attractions.
  As a small family we live quietly, politely and gently in our community, as such we are well thought of and integrated. Our ideal guests would have similar philosophies, not disturb neighbours and become friends.
  We visit and join in with local events and activities regularly, you would be welcome to join us. :0) vaccinated or not, all are welcome.

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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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  Space for parking camper vans

  There’s power hookup, water and even access to a bathroom that has an outside door, it’s all on a slight slope so levelling blocks are on hand if you need them. Will fit large or small vans.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Well behaved dogs who socialise well

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 25 hours with 2 days off

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