Profile information
Host rating
60 %
Last replied
9 Aug 2019
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Details
Description
We are disabled volunteers, of varying levels, (mostly war vets) we host this amazing medieval farm (Former home of Bishops and Abbots who were also Grand Masters of the Knights Templars look up Priory of st Anne, Bishop Rance)
The farm has become therapy for us and others for free, the centre offers facilities to relax and learn new skills restoring the Walls and buildings and maintaining the Kitchen Garden. the views are stunning, plenty of room for camping, most of our help come with caravan or camper, plenty of room and hook up is free of course.
We always welcome extra help, our skilled tutors can work far quicker if they have helpers, once you are confident you can work on your section of the project, most of the damage is from WW11 we were heavily bombed intended for the village we got the stray bombs, they did a lot of damage to this property which was never restored so here we are finally putting it all back, the cistercian monks took over the original build, from the Benedictine monks, who started the build in the 8th century.
the cistercian order being much stricter. Continued and took the business into a much more serious level. we owe it to them to bring it back to how beautiful it was.
Cuddling Ponies, Yes this is 1 of the many jobs... We have a herd of British prize winning pedigree ponies it's great therapy, they love to be cuddled so always need help there grooming etc...
The property has a river and large pond and tree lined drive, it's been empty since the war, so lots of tree surgery work, log cutting, The walls were badly hit by stray bombs so thats another project, so they need restoring. Kitchen Garden always needs tlcs, if you like to prune and create.
We work 10 - 3pm weekdays, rest of the time is yours, and weekends. Flexible on the weather, we don't work everyday. We meet up decide and go from there.
This is a fun project educational, it's our aim to enjoy it with you, we are grateful for your company and your help.
We are very close to a mass of shops and bars. 1 minute by car 5 minutes walk. Aunay Sur Odon, Villers Bocage 1 mile further on, more bars and shops, great location. 20 minutes from Caen and central to all WW11 memorials. This location was used by the Panzer division.
Come on join us and have some fun. Brush up on your french,
learn many new subjects and skills if you wish. or just help the others.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Farmstay help
Help with Eco Projects
Animal Care
Language practice
Art Projects
Help with Computers/ Internet
Teaching
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Sky is the limit....
Keeping horses skills, no mucking out
Gardening skills,
Building skills various. Farming, language, and so on....
Whatever you wish. It's up to you.
Help
We like to explain what there is to do and you choose what you would like to do, there are so many tasks, there is something for everyone.
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Accommodation
Most of our volunteers, bring tents, caravans campers, electric and water hook ups here, high level ground on thick grass with stunning views, we have outside loo, and 2 luxury Bathrooms /showers in the house we share,
BBQ for everyones use.
Part of the project is converting one area to luxury shower area, with jacuzzi, which has been started, (We only have 4 to 6 volunteers at any one time so facilities are more than suitable. No one has to rough it. many swim in the river, when hot, Public Pool in Viller Bocage.
NB There are beautiful stone barns to use, if weather is bad, helpers are welcome to pitch tents in the barns,
What else ...
As we only work 9am till 2pm flexible, and we don't work weekends, plenty of time to enjoy the area, We are central to WW11 history memorials all around us, in fact the property was occupied by the Panzer division so do bring your metal detector many finds... Anyone with access to Geo Phys machine, they use on Time Team, we would hire, a great time off project to locate exact location of the tunnels.
Village a has lots going on, resturants pizza bar bars, etc, Village Market on Saturday, Viller Bocage Market on Wednesdays. Masses of fishing in the area,
Equestrian centre 1 mile away. Swiss normandy 5 minutes drive. If you like a bargain Emmaus massive charity centre is open Saturdays / Wednesdays, Car boots are big here at the weekends and bank holidays.
Caen is 15 minute drive, old caen and USA style shopping Caen Mondville. a must see..
Food shopping, we can advise whats on offer local as we shop all the time and we have a lidl oh wow!!!
Do bring bacon from Uk, in your chiller, we will always buy from u. everyone likes a bacon buttie... local bread is amazing, the best.
Its wonderfully quiet here so you can just relax. Helpers are welcome to use the Tv and video
Because we are in a valleyPLEASE TEXT, PHONE DOSENT RING, texts come thru.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
