Help with home, pets and babies while enjoying life outdoors in French Hautes-Pyrénées, Campan

Details

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  Description

  We (Kev and Natasha) live in the French Hautes-Pyrénées, with our two dogs (Margaux and Elsie), fluffy Maine Coone cat (Rasta), and out most recent additions; twins Zacharie and Chloé who joined us in December 2023!
  
  We live in a renovated stone cottage, on a 7 acre plot bordered by a stream, fields and some forest, with mountain views. There are also 3 separate gites on the property, which we rent out to tourists visiting this stunning area.
  
  We are located 15 minutes from Bagneres-de-Bigorre, at the foot of the famous Tour de France Col du Tourmalet, which climbs from Sainte-Marie-de-Campan to the Grand Tourmalet ski area in La Mongie (also 15 minutes drive). Our location makes us very popular with skiers and snow-shoers in the winter, and hikers, trail runners and cyclists in the summer.
  
  We love hosting and sharing this amazing area, but with a big property and now big family, we are now looking for an extra pair of hands to support us, in exchange for accommodation, some shared meals and experience sharing.
  
  We are motivated and hard working. Asking for help is not natural for us, as we normally just dig deep and get things done. But we have realised this is not the best plan and everyone can benefit from sharing.
  
  We have provided more information about the role and opportunity below; our needs will no doubt evolve as will the skills, availability and motivation of those supporting us - so please read this as starting point for discussion an know that the role will be flexible to play to everyones strengths and be a positive experience for all.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Gardening

  Animal Care

  Babysitting and creative play

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Kev is from the UK and Natasha is from New Zealand; we are both working hard to get better at French, so the perfect fit for this role would be a French speaker who was looking to improve their English whilst we improve our French!
  
  Both Kev and Natasha are passionate about the outdoors, and spend much of our free time exploring the mountains and environment that surround us, by ski or snowshoe in the winter, and on foot or by bike in the summer. We would love to share or introduce you to our mountains and go on mountain adventures together. Kev is an International Mountain Leader, so very well placed to introduce new skills, lead us to the best places and keep everyone safe.
  
  We also really enjoy cooking and eating tasty / wholesome food from around the world. We would look forward to sharing our best meals with you, and being introduced to your favourite meals, when we share the cooking.

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  Help

  We are looking for support with a variety of personal (family/home) tasks, up to a maximum of 5 hours per day.
  
  The types of activities we will be looking for support with are;
  
  Babies; help with feeding/changing and general "baby sitting" whilst we are working or busy.
  Animals; help with feeding, walking and general "dog/car sitting" whilst we are working or busy.
  House; help with cleaning, cooking, shopping and general "house sitting" whilst we are working or busy.
  Gardening; helping us make our beautiful garden/land, more beautiful (depending on the weather, season and only if you enjoy gardening!)

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  We would love to improve our French, whilst our Workaway improves their English; but if our Workaway is also looking to improve their French; we can create plenty of opportunities to all immerse in the very French community that surrounds and improve together 😀
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  Accommodation

  You would be staying in our cosy 1-bedroom gite.
  
  This private accommodation is approximately 60m2, with full kitchen, private bathroom, private bedroom and comfortable lounge.
  
  With a log-burner, smart TV, superfast wifi, bean to cup coffee machine and all the amenities required, we hope this private space will be your own special sanctuary of calm and relaxation.

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  What else ...

  Our location is perfect for exploring the mountains, but also for experiencing this culturally diverse region. With famous local markets, numerous spa towns, delicious cuisine, there really are endless opportunities to enjoy your free-time.
  
  If you want to explore slightly further afield the border with Spain is less than hours drive, the Basque country is just to the west and the Atlantic coast is within day-trip striking distance.
  
  Providing you are over 25 (insurance requirement) and have a full driving license, you will be welcome to use our "spare car" to make getting around and exploring easy. Otherwise having your own transport would be preferable, as public transport options around the area are very limited.
  
  You will also be welcome to use an electric mountain bikes, road bike or borrow outdoor equipment as needed.

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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

  The gite that we provide as accommodation has super-fast wifi and a small desk area; meaning that video calls and working online is very comfortable and efficient

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We have lots of space for parking, so no problem for workawayers to bring their own vehicle.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  One

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  Hours expected

  5 hours per day, 5 days per week