Help with renovation, gardening and care for animals in Saint-Bonnet-de-Bellac, France

Details

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  Description

  We are Harriet and Mike, a couple in our 30s newly settled in the Haute-Vienne, France (originally from the UK). We work as a counsellor (Harriet) and a handyman/gardener (Mike) and are in the process of renovating a house and aiming to be more self-sufficient. We have chickens, geese and a cat already and have lots of plans for how to develop this place. We are always happy to talk all things eco, practice our French (and share our English), cook and eat together, enjoy the beautiful countryside and wild swimming opportunities when it's good weather and play board games when it's not! There is always a range of activities going on here to get involved with and some beautiful places to explore. We look forward to meeting you!

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We live in a small hamlet in the rural Haute-Vienne. We have friendly neighbours who are happy to chat (great if you want to practice your French) and we are happy to help with your English. We love to cook and share our favourite recipes. This part of France is beautiful to explore.

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  Help

  We have lots to do here, renovating our house and outbuildings, gardening and veg growing, caring for our chickens and geese. We can usually find something to suit your skills and are especially happy to hear from you if you've got previous roofing/ DIY/ stone working/ building experience. At the moment we are working on building a rocket mass heater, repairing walls in stone and cob, pointing walls, fixing roofs and moving walls, bathrooms and kitchens early next year.
  
  We are always on the look out for hard workers who are happy to share their energy as we work through these projects. I've got a chronic illness so an extra pair of hands (or 2) to help Mike is always really appreciated.
  
  We are also on the lookout for someone who would be happy to housesit and look after the animals over Christmas and New Year.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  We love living in France and try to speak as much as we can to improve. We are at an intermediate level and would love to become more fluent. We'd happily chat in French/English and can help with your English if you'd like.
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  Accommodation

  We provide accommodation in a house next door which we will be developing over time into a gite. As it's a work in progress its basic but we will make sure you have all you need to feel at home including a wood burner to keep you cosy in the winter months.
  
  This will suit you if you are independent and like your own company or for couples who would like a bit of their own space. We love to cook and eat together. If you'd like to share your favourite recipes we'd love to learn! Other than working and eating together, we are often busy doing our own thing in the evenings, so the time is yours to hang out in your own space, raid the bookshelves or enjoy a walk or cycle in the beautiful countryside!

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  What else ...

  This is a beautiful area to explore. The closest town with train station is Bellac, with links to Limoges and Poitiers and on to Paris. We have bikes you can use while you're here to explore the countryside. Having your own vehicle is recommended so you can go in and out of Bellac and see the beautiful places nearby. We have been workawayers ourselves and know how important it is to feel at home as you explore a new place. We are grateful for any help you can give us and in return will do what we can for our place to feel like a home from home. We aren't party animals, I'm a friendly introvert who is very happy curled up with a book and our village is very peaceful and quiet! Our home is warm and welcoming, the countryside is beautiful and we love getting to know new people.

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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

  We have a strong internet connection and you'd be welcome to work while you are here.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We have a courtyard you would be welcome to park up in and can fill water etc. We know from experience those little things help with vanlife!

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  Can possibly accept pets

  We'd be happy to chat about you bringing your pets. We do have Reggie the cat so dogs would have to be happy with him.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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