Experience daily life in my historical home and explore the surroundings of Merdrignac, France

Details

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  Description

  I moved to Brittany about 4 years ago to start a new chapter, and found this wonderful old manor house, and started renovating. I haven't really stopped since, and the property is unrecognisable now. It is a lovely place to spend time, so any work away volunteers who can help out with some maintenance tasks around the house and grounds would be very welcome!

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Art Projects

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  I used to be a Londoner, but am now a resident, living in France. When I lived in London I was a theatre production manager. I have experience in set-building and scenic art. Over lockdown, mostly to stave off boredom/insanity, I bought, designed and built our camper van TangaTanga, and I redecorated my sister’s flat in London. This property is by far my biggest challenge yet. I am obviously more than happy to share any know-how when it comes to building and designing with anyone who comes to help.
  
  I have also done a bit of exploring through Brittany and I'm happy to share what knowledge I have of the area...
  
  My garden will be wholly organic and natural so workawayers will be able to hone their green fingers in a pesticide free zone, I have been learning all about different ways to compost, shred garden waste and create a green space that fits in with the landscape, so my garden is a welcome home to all the creatures of nature.

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  Help

  I have done a lot of work on the house over the last few years, and found past work-awayers have all been amazingly helpful.
  
  There are some simple maintenance jobs around the house and I would like to re organise some spaces, so help with that would be terrific. The house runs as a chambre d'hôtes in the high season, but all volunteering jobs are limited to the private reseidnce maintenance and organisation.
  
  The garden is large, and I have lots of vegetable beds and fruit trees, so some simple gardening and garden maintenance would also be very helpful

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  French: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I have been taking french classes for the last few years and have definitely improved... but there's still a long way to go! I am very happy to practice with anyone who wants to speak some french.
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  Accommodation

  There are 3 options for accommodation: a bedroom in the main house, a bedroom in one of the newly completed annexes, or glamping in the garden in a bell tent with beds and mattress set up inside. All spaces would have access to a fully fitted bathroom.
  I will provide breakfast each morning and dinner each night, and you are welcome to use the kitchen any time to make lunch or go into town. The local town is a 5 minute walk from my house with a weekly market, a bar, boulangeries, a large supermarket and a few shops and restaurants.
  
  There are bikes here if you want to go exploring, we have a great walking cycling path running through town, and there is a bus stop if you want to visit another area. I go out for day trips to other towns and am always happy to bring people along and explore further...

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  What else ...

  There are lakes near the house that feature sailing and paddle boarding. There are terrific forests for hiking and foraging. Saint Malo is an hour north of me, with great shopping and food, as well as daily boat trips to Jersey, and the historic town of Dinan is about 40 minutes away. The south coast is about an hour and twenty minutes away by car, and the capital city Rennes is 50 minutes east, buzzing with shops, and a terrific weekend market that I usually head over to. I have two London Town bikes and two french bikes available, so you can borrow these to explore the area as much as you like. They are in no way mountain bikes though, so be warned! I have a car and can pick people up from the nearest station, which is about 25 minutes away. There is a bus route running through Merdrignac, which will take you either to Rennes or Loudeac/Saint Brieuc, though the schedule is a little tricky to figure out, so depending on how much you’d like to explore, your own means of transportation might be useful.
  
  I have been a workawayer myself many times while travelling in Nepal, Japan and Indonesia and had wonderful experiences every time, I met some awesome people, fellow travellers like myself and locals alike and learnt some new skills, one being how to milk a buffalo! I am opening my home up to anyone who is keen to help me make this place an amazing space and get creative with the garden.
  
  I am an early riser myself but I don't expect others to be, I love cooking and entertaining and I look forward to meeting some fabulous 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

  Yes, there is 5G wifi throughout the house

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  Space for parking camper vans

  I have a back gate that is 2.4 meters wide, the back yard will have space for a campervan that can fit through! No outdoor toilet facilities at the moment but the house facilities will be available.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

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