Enjoy Life in a peaceful French village and Help with garden maintenance, painting and minor carpentry in France

France

Favourited 213 times

Host rating
Feedback
33
Last activity
31/10/2021
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Availability

2022

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What's this?

Details

Description
We are a retired couple in our early seventies who spend a considerable amount of time in our house in France and are passionate about gardening. We have a large family house and would enjoy the company and appreciate some help.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
General Maintenance
Help around the house
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Life in a peaceful French village, gardening skills. River frontage on the Charente river, small boats available, bikes available for country rides. Table tennis on balcony. Very relaxing surroundings
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
Would like some help with garden maintenance, painting and minor carpentry, Tools available and supervision also.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Accommodation
large house with all mod cons. Double bedrooms opening onto a large balcony, own bathrooms.
What else ...
Bike rides, boating, bird watching. Village has bakery and bar. Small town of Confolons about 7 miles away. Old fashioned rural French life, it is a pretty village in an agricultural district of Poitou Charente. English TV available and plenty of books.

We are a strictly non smoking house, please
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

Photos

Feedback left by and about host (33)

These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.

Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)

Cultural exchange:
(4.5)

Communication:
(5.0)

27/05/2021

Left by Workawayer (Riccardo) for host

Ho passato una settimana ospite di Margaret, Robert e Poppy (il loro cagnolino). Accoglienti fin da subito, sono stati 7 giorni fantastici che purtroppo sono volati. Purtroppo per il trattamento che stanno seguendo non riescono ad essere molto presenti durante la giornata, ma spiegano molto bene il lavoro che bisogna fare e lasciano liberi di… read more

(Excellent )

25/05/2021

Left by host for Workawayer (Riccardo)

Riccardo came to us for a week, and what a privilege it has been to have him. He is very competant and has made a big difference in the garden and when it rained he, on his own iniative, he found all sorts of jobs to do in the house. We were both not feeling very well due to the side effects of chemo and Riccardo cooked some delicious Italian… read more

(Excellent )

19/12/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Nicolás)

Nico is an execptional young man, wise beyond his years. He spent two and a half months with us and helped us so much at a difficult time for us. He is not only hard working and extremely competent but also amazingly empathetic and respectful house guest. He was a joy to host and we loved having him and we are so grateful for all his hard work and… read more

(Very good )

19/12/2020

Left by Workawayer (Nicolás) for host

First of all thanks a lot to Mags and Rob, who were my first workaway in a slightly different time, they are very good people, very kind and caring. I was with them for two and a half months and I really had a good time, I made some 4-legged friends, and I enjoyed many of Mags' culinary skills. It was quite a challenge because I couldn't speak… read more

(Excellent )

23/07/2020

Left by Workawayer (Alan) for host

Mags and Rob are lovely hosts and made my stay a very enjoyable one. Their garden really is spectacular so there’s plenty to keep any green-fingered Workaway busy. I also did a bunch of painting around the property and they were happy to leave me to get on with it.

It was a pleasure to meet several of their friends who live in the area and who… read more

(Excellent )

04/06/2020

Left by Workawayer (Victoria & Mauricio) for host

This workaway was our first experience and was incredible!
Mags and Rob are very kind people, we felt very confortable in their house.
Mags is an excellent chef, and her garden is beautiful.
I recommend this experience!

(Excellent )

01/06/2020

Left by host for Workawayer (Victoria & Mauricio)

Victoria and Mauricio, together with their friends, Barbara and Christian, came to us for 2 weeks. They have been such a pleasure to have, happy, easy and good company and so hard working. They did some big jobs in the garden, the girls cleaned the house and so many jobs were done without us asking, they all have great iniative.

I would recommend… read more

(Excellent )

08/12/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Sally)

Sally is a very nice person who is pleasant to have around. She worked hard during the time she was with us, she raked leaves, vacuumed the veranda, sorted out my pantry cupboard and polished the brass, copper and silver, which looks great and nice and shiney for Christmas. I was sorry to see her go after a week, but I hope things work out well… read more

(Excellent )

27/09/2019

Left by Workawayer (Peter) for host

I had a very nice time in this extraordinary house. Mags and Rob are welcoming hosts. I especially loved the dinners with excellent dishes and interesting conversations. The work in the garden with interesting projects (lighting of the pavilion, wells etc.) gave me a lot of pleasure.
Thanks for all
Peter

(Excellent )

05/09/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Peter)

Peter was coming to see us just to talk about being a workawayer with us. He arrived, as arranged, and and stayed from Friday to Wednesday, which was a bonus for us. He was very helpful and efficiently organised some garden lighting for us and helped with other projects. He is a kind and considerate house guest and we hope he will return for… read more

(Excellent )

25/09/2019

Left by Workawayer (Gavin & Wendy) for host

It was a pleasure to spend 3 weeks with Mags and Rob in their wonderful home and garden. It is a testament to Mags hard work and knowledge of plants that such a beautiful, structured garden has evolved in 4/5 years.

We were made to feel very welcome and enjoyed lovely food and wine along with entertaining conversation and much laughter. We also… read more

(Excellent )

24/09/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Gavin & Wendy)

Whoever has Wendy and Gavin as workawayers is a very lucky person. They are a pleasure to have around, not only are they hard workers, they are very knowledgeable and work efficiently without supervision. They developed a whole new section to our garden that will bring pleasure for years to come and also got the rest of the garden back into shape.… read more

(Excellent )

24/09/2019

Left by Workawayer (Glenn) for host

Rob & Mags were the perfect hosts in every way possible. I had a pleasant stay and was made to feel at home very quickly. The work both in the house and garden was interesting and a pleasure to carry out each day. Anyone needing the perfect hosts I would recommend you come here.

(Excellent )

24/09/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Glenn)

Glen has been with us for 3 weeks and has been a great help developing a new part of the garden, he worked well with our other workawayers and also helped with various other tasks.

He is a nice man who is easy to have around and is willing to do whatever is asked of him. I recommend him.

(Excellent )

24/06/2019

Left by Workawayer (Janis & Maija) for host

Dear Mags and Rob.
A wonderful house with a beautiful garden for two weeks was our home. We felt like family members. Rob is very witty, he often joked. Mags took care of delicious food. We had an interesting and varied job. It was important for us to improve our English skills. It could be done in the evenings listening to their stories. We… read more

(Excellent )

22/06/2019

Left by host for Workawayer (Janis & Maija)

Maifa and Janis were wonderful workawayers, they are so telented and hardworking. They did many jobs for us and also renovated an old broken dog cart, making new pieces and turning it into "better than new" and also an old wooden wheelbarrow. They have pride of place in our garden and will be a lasting memory of their visit here. We were very… read more

(Excellent )

14/11/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Linda \"Cheryl\")

Cheryl came to us for september and the beginning of October and she was a great asset and a easy and entertaining companion. She took over the daily upkeep of the garden and it benefitted greatly from her attentions. She also very kindly offered to stay on longer than she intended to look after the cats when we were let down by cat sitters.… read more

(Excellent )

15/10/2018

Left by Workawayer (Linda \"Cheryl\") for host

What wonderful hosts! What beautiful gardens!

I spent a delightful month with Mags and Rob, mostly working in the gardens. I cannot say enough good things about this opportunity ... excellent food, lovely and private accomodations, easy work, inclusion in their social activities and errands. Due to their outstanding hospitality, I always felt… read more

(Excellent )

12/08/2018

Left by Workawayer (Ian) for host

Mags and Rob are truly the epitome of perfect Workaway hosts... warm, welcoming, inclusive and happy to exchange conversation and hospitality. I stayed for 2 weeks with my Spanish partner Montse and we were made to feel most welcome. There was a combination of work in the garden and a few tasks of electrical work and minor wall repairs. The… read more

(Excellent )

12/08/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Ian)

Ian and his friend, Montse came to us for about 10 days. They were both very helpful, Montse in the garden and the house and Ian sorted out all our electrical problems, installed security lighting and removed the render from a balcony, amongst other things. It was nice to have them to catch up on all the bits that needed doing. They have iniative,… read more

(Excellent )

01/08/2018

Left by Workawayer (Hanna) for host

Dear Mags and Rob
We were lucky, that you found our profile and invited us for our first experience as a workawayer.
We felt at home from the time we arrived. You gave us a beautiful room were we lived as little princesses.
it was a pleasure to wake up in the morning having a coffee and start with work in your garden.
Cutting all the beautiful… read more

(Excellent )

01/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (Hanna)

Hanna and Marlies (friends) came together and stayed for nearly 2 weeks. They were fun to have, easy company and helpful in the house. They did lots of gardening for us, are knowledgeable about plants and worked very effieciently without supervision. They have made a big difference to our garden and I hooe they will come back another time. I can… read more

(Excellent )

19/07/2018

Left by host for Workawayer (JD & Julie)

Julie and JD arrived 9 weeks ago as workawayers and have left as friends, and soon to be, neighbours. They have been wonderful workawayers, done so much in the house and have made such a difference. They got on with all the jobs that needed doing with competance and enthusiasm, they have been lovely to have, good fun and have given so much to us.… read more

(Excellent )

18/07/2018

Left by Workawayer (JD & Julie) for host

Wow , wow , wow ..... Not really sure we could add much more to what previous workaways have said . Just an AMAZING family with hearts of gold ! What started out as a possible 3 week stay , eventually turned into 9 weeks - being our first workaway assignment , we certainly could not have asked for a better time . A truly wonderful rural experience… read more

(Excellent )

20/03/2018

Left by Workawayer (Jamie) for host

Mags and her family are really easy going people. I only stayed for a couple of weeks and mostly just helped with odd jobs. Nice place, nice house, great cooking. Good host. My only downside would be that the local area is too quiet so it helps if you can drive.

(Very good )

07/12/2017

Left by Workawayer (Katiuscia & Andrea) for host

We had a pleasant stay with this beautiful family.
Mags and Rob are used to have workawayers around, so they made us feel at home quickly.
The work was exactly as described and requested.
We didn't feel to be there just to work, but to share their way of life and help them as a part of their family.
We were introduced to their lovely family and… read more

(Excellent )

07/12/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Katiuscia & Andrea)

Kate and Andrea have just spent a month with us and they have not only worked incredibly hard, they have been a pleasure to have. They have packed up our house prior to moving, which has been a big job that they tackled with enthusiasm, care and good organisational skills. They have been a godsend. They are both good company, very considerate, we… read more

(Excellent )

07/08/2017

Left by Workawayer (Neil) for host

My stay with Mags and Rob was perfect in every respect. In fact, it felt more like being on holiday than a Workaway stay. Although I worked for a few hours each day, I was always included in activities with family and friends. Most of my work was painting. It is a big house with lots of doors and windows. I found the work relaxing, and more so… read more

(Excellent )

02/08/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Neil)

We told Neil that we were going to tie him up to keep him here, not only has he worked so hard and meticulously for us, going well beyond the call of duty, he has been a really great house guest. My only reservation about giving him the superb feedback he deserves is that he is going to inundated with requests for his time that he wont have time… read more

(Excellent )

21/07/2017

Left by Workawayer (Debbie) for host

This was my first workaday experience and it was great. Mags and her family treated me like a friend; the work was fun (not too strenuous) and I had scope to plan my day. Mags is a great cook and shared mealtimes were a time to catch up and talk. Thanks to the BJ family for making my stay so enjoyable.

(Excellent )

16/07/2017

Left by host for Workawayer (Debbie)

Debbie worked very hard in the garden and was very capable and self motivated. The garden has benefitted from her labours and we are very grateful to her.
Thank you Debbie and enjoy the rest of your time in Europe.

(Excellent )

23/10/2016

Left by Workawayer (Stefan & Heike) for host

We had a very nice work away stay for one week in Alloue at Mags and Rob. We did lots of paintings and carpentry work together with both of them and an old school friend of them. We enjoyed their delicate english and south african kitchen. Mags baked a chocolate cake for Stefans birthday (thanks again).
Thank you for all - Heike and Stefan

(Excellent )

21/10/2016

Left by host for Workawayer (Stefan & Heike)

Stefan and Heike have a pleasure to have to stay and are both very precise and capable workers who are resourceful and independant.
I would recommend them to any other hosts and would be pleased to have them back at any time. They have helped us on projects in the house and we are very grateful to them. Thank you.

(Excellent )

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