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85 %
Last replied
1 Nov 2024
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Description
Born and brought up in the UK, I have lived most of my 66 years in France (with a 9 year period in NZ). In 2006 I converted an old winemaking barn into my home. This is my second eco construction (having previously built an eco-lodge in NZ). I'm passionate about the environment and our local flora and fauna. My activities include being a professional translator, and running several non-profit organisations to encourage community development. My latest project is a (soon to be planted) permaculture orchard watered with harvested rainwater to provide shade and moisture for the soil and to help support biodiversity.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
House sitting
Interests
DIY & crafts
Plant care
Architecture
Art & design
Events & social
Self development
Sustainability
Charity work
Gardening
Cooking & food
Nature
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
The great thing about travelling and hosting is that we all learn from each other!
I am happy to help travellers with anything they want to know about French or British culture and travelling through France. Having lived in the area for 20 years now, I can point travellers to all the great things to do in the area (Cathar castles, new Roman antiquities museum in Narbonne, Palace of the Kings of Mallorca in Perpignan, etc.).
Help
The property was converted from a barn in 2006 and is in good condition - but there is always something to do! And as I love hosting people from all over the world, a little help with general upkeep Workaway provides a wonderful opportunity to host people who can help me too! The things I need help with are all things that I will be doing myself anyway, but it so much more fun and motivating to do with others!
I have recently removed my old vines and in late November 2025 will be planting 20-25 fruit trees to create a permaculture orchard. And in late January I will be planting a long hedge to help the birds and other creatures. The idea behind planting is to use harvested rainwater to help restart the small water cycle as our area has been in a severe drought for the past 3 years. And I would love some help, particularly from anyone interested in permaculture and the biotic pump (small water cycle!).
It is always interesting to learn from each other :-)
Ideally I would like to host a couple (or two friends) with previous experience in tree planting / gardening / outdoor tidying. Two weeks late November 2025 and 2 weeks late January - early February 2026 would be ideal (separate groups is fine).
Help hours/days can be flexible and time grouped together to allow you whole days off to go exploring (e.g. whole day working then whole day off or two days working then two days off - rather than half days - I'm flexible and can work around your programme!).
I enjoy meeting people of different nationalities and I look forward to hearing from you. I have had help of this kind before and can provide references. I would expect references from workawayers too!
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
Spanish: Intermediate
Accommodation
This is an eco-friendly barn conversion constructed with mostly natural materials and has solar hot water and a heat pump with underfloor heating as well as a wood burner. Your accommodation will be in the comfortable ground floor guest bedrooms (1 double & 1 twin) and you will have your own bathroom. Meals and cooking are shared although I will provide all the ingredients, which are local/organic or both. There is a spacious lounge, a good selection of books and free wifi but I'm afraid I do NOT have a TV! However, we can always discuss how to put the world to rights over a glass of wine in the evenings - which is much better than TV anyway! I need my beauty sleep so would expect workawayers to be quiet after 10:30 - 11pm.
What else ...
This is a very unspoilt area with fabulous walking and birdwatching.
Our tiny village has no public transport, no shops or any commerce of any kind, so your own transport is a bonus...
I'm afraid I will have limited time to take you sight seeing but I can tell you a lot about the surrounding area, where to go and what there is to see and do if you have your own transport. I can also take you to the station 20 minutes away at Leucate-La Franqui. My house is located exactly half way between Narbonne and Perpignan and there is so much to explore including Cathar castles, cistercian abbeys, lots of lovely old villages and towns, walk on the beach, cycle along the canal.
Great windsurfing and kitesurfing in Leucate!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Recently installed fibre :-) with a connection of approx. 900Mbps up and down. One of the bedrooms could be easily turned into a workspace.
Space for parking camper vans
You can park your campervan / motorhome on my drive :-) - but you are welcome to stay in the house while you are here!
Can possibly accept pets
Am happy to have a **well behaved** dog to stay!
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
My animals / pets
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