France
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Hi, we are Mike and Nancy, a Canadian couple, residing in France. About two years ago we moved with our two cats to Aulon, a small village in the Haute Garonne between Saint Gaudens and Aurignac. We found an unloved house, to make home and bare land to build gardens. The goal is to live as naturally as possible in a modern world with permaculture principles as our guide.
We live simply and healthy, always trying to balance work and play. We are looking for participants this spring to help Nancy in the gardens. I would love some extra hands to help with the renovations,
Gardening
Building
General Maintenance
Cooking / shopping
Other
Help in the house
Language practice
Improve your language skills, we mostly speak English as daily language. Nancy’s mother tongue is Quebecois (French Canadian). We are both fluent in Dutch and Nancy is practicing Spanish.
Learn to use DIY and renovation tools and outdoor machinery. Learn variety of DIY skills such as plasterwork, carpentry or masonry.
Discover the charm a hospitality of rural France. Opportunities to learn concepts of basic permaculture living, recycling, up-cycling, knowledge of plants, propagation and other general gardening skills.
We are looking for capable help in July to assist us with some plaster boarding and light construction, fencing, gardening and jointing natual stone walls. etc. In June we are removing a concrete floor and installing floor heating. Also planned is a Gambon retaining wall., a project for those who prefer out door work. A good attitude and a willingness to learn are most welcome. Let us know what you think.
There’s never 'nothing to do', so we can usually accommodate most people to be able to fill a 4-5 hour working day. There are plenty of small projects. Possible help with housework and cooking if a couple.
PLEASE NOTE: Some of the help required is physically demanding and you should therefore be fit and have suitable outdoor clothing, work shoes, gloves etc.
English, Dutch, French and some Spanish
In return for your efforts, we offer a bed with suitable shower facilities. Good, healthy food, mostly vegetarian and can cater to specific diet requirements.
If you prefer to camp we can set up a huge tent in the trees near the river or come with your own motorhome.
On free days the villages of Aurignac and Saint Gaudens are only 15 minutes away, for cafes or shopping, there is also weekly markets. Public transit is available. Also, I am willing to shuttle friends occasionally to town. We have good cell coverage and WIFI.
The Pyrenees are less than an hour away by car with a host of activities, including mountain trails for walking and cycling. There are also many places for canoeing and rafting around the villages between us and the Pyrenees.
Spain is also less than an hours' drive away if you fancy practicing another language!
If you wish to arrive by flight, Toulouse airport is the closest. There are train links from both Toulouse and Tarbes to Saint Gaudens or Boussens and a bus link from Saint Gaudens to Aulon. Or we can collect you from the Saint Gaudens or Boussens train station for your convenience
Come and visit the Haute Garonne, with its breathtaking scenery, and some lovely sunshine at this time of year. Ask nancy to share her blog for a peek inside our lives.
We look forward to meeting you, and sharing our lifestyle & home.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Two
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
