Profile information
Host rating
100 %
Last replied
16 Apr 2024
Reply rate
85.7 %
Usually responds within 1 day
Feedback
26
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Email verified
Badges (3)
Details
Description
We opened a healing retreat centre in south west France in 2015. Matthew works in peace work in the Middle East and as a couples coach. Emma is a writer and is now working hard trying to make the retreat centre a success, but there is always so much to do. We have 4 children, 3 of whom are grown up and visit occasionally, one aged 15 who lives here.
The retreat centre is used for yoga courses, self-development workshops, shamanic trainings etc. Tasks could include pruning plants, cleaning, tidying up the grounds, planting vegetables and looking after our cats - to create a beautiful experience for people attending the courses.
At other times of the year we need help keeping the outside environment beautiful: weeding the flower beds, straightening the sunbeds, hanging out washing, but someone flexible that could also turn their hand to painting furniture, or indeed help move it, popping into town to pick up lunch or some lightbulbs. Sometimes there are projects we all get involved with, other times there are things to do alone. If you have particular needs please let us know.
We are also keen to improve our French - we are currently at intermediate level and would like to become fluent - so would welcome native French speakers who would be willing to spend time talking slowly in French with us.
We are in the countryside a couple of km from the market town of Chalais. This is a quiet place, although Bordeaux is less than an hour away by train.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Language practice
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Matthew was brought up in the Middle East and left Lebanon during the war to move to England, but never felt at home there. Emma is Scottish by blood but has lived around the UK and in Egypt. They would both love to live in the Middle East but settled in France because it's much safer. We like to welcome people from all over the world into our family. We will include you in our family activities so don't be shy! Although this is France we speak English at home. Matthew enjoys scuplting and music and there is usually a creative project on the go you can get involved in.
Help
The kind of help we need varies each day. If there is a course going on then you would help us keeping the place feeling lovely. When the workshop guests leave we head outside to keep the weeds at bay. We have dug a vegetable patch and grown our own veggies this year so watering that too.
Our season is April-October so outside of those dates, during the winter, the tasks are more likely to be repairing, re-painting, tidying, cleaning.
We are also keen to improve our French - we are currently at intermediate level and would like to become fluent - so would welcome native French speakers who would be willing to spend time talking slowly in French with us.
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Arabic: Intermediate
French: Intermediate
Accommodation
Often a pretty bedroom with ensuite or private bathroom but it depends if we have lots of guests in which case you may have to share with a workaway of the same gender.
What else ...
It's very rural with walks and bike rides around us, a nearby river for fishing and kayaking and we have a swimming pool. The nearest town in walking distance is Chalais which is on the line between Angouleme and Bordeaux which are both nice cities to explore. We have bicycles you are welcome to use.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (16)
The food is delicious and very various, Emma is an excellent chef and takes care of all kinds of diets and preferences about food. I worked most of the time with her in the kitchen and helped to prepare… read more
Feedback
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:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
The food is delicious and very various, Emma is an excellent chef and takes care of all kinds of diets and preferences about food. I worked most of the time with her in the kitchen and helped to prepare… read more
Thank you everyone and bonnes fêtes à tous! :)
Together they make a lovely family and my stay with them was a pleasure. The centre hosts all sorts of retreats and you are sure to learn something from your… read more
I spent most of my free time hanging around the house relaxing with Emma , Poppy and another workawayer having wonderful… read more
Thank you… read more
We were trusted to work independently and our jobs were varied. The food was of a high quality and readily available. The rooms were… read more
