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Last replied
24 Apr 2024
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Details
Description
English / Polish couple living in rural France, looking for help with our little corner of paradise! Speaking mainly English but also Polish and a bit of French, we have been here since 2017 and still have so many things to do, we just can’t seem to do it all ourselves! Come and help, then relax and regenerate with good food, good wine and good company!
Please note we are pescatarian (we eat fish, but not meat) so will not supply any meat for meals.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
Come and live a little bit of French life with a Brit and a Pole who love being where they are. We can share some French we’ve learned that you are not taught at school; the kind of French that is actually spoken by everyday people. Don’t expect miracles though, we’re still learning ourselves but can just about get by. Join us when we visit the local markets, or watch our French soap opera on TV, and find out what French life is all about!
Help
It's the growing season in Dordogne and things are going mad!
We are therefore looking for some gardening help (experience preferred). For some tasks as you will see, potentially some muscle could be required and a willingness and ability to safely use motorised garden equipment.
You will also need to be OK to work outside if it's raining lightly for a while as most of our jobs we need help with will be outdoor.
We would prefer applications from a couples (partners, parent / child, friends).
Our current list of projects (in priority order) includes:
OUTSIDE
- weeding, including the drive
- lifting gravel on the drive, putting down anti-weed matting, and replacing gravel (hard work, so bit by bit!)
- cutting up fallen trees (must be able and prepared to use a chainsaw)
- bringing in logs / branches (for kindling)
- removing ivy from trees (easier than it sounds)
- strimming and brush cutting (must be able to use a powerful strimmer)
- preparing woodland for planting of wild garlic
- removing brambles by the stream (horrible but mostly done and not something that can be done fast anyway),
- rebuilding steps in the woods
INSIDE (if it's raining)
- breaking up branches for kindling
- cleaning up and tidying outhouses / barns
- splitting logs (must be able and willing to use a log splitter)
- wood staining (small door, garden furniture, etc)
and various other similar jobs you think you may be able to help with!
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Polish: Fluent
French: Intermediate
Accommodation
This place is extreme peace. We live in a very quiet area of Dordogne, in the middle of nowhere, with few local roads and very little traffic; you would be lucky to see two tractors in a day. Apart from very rare French Airforce training (we have been known to jump out of our skins), all you will normally hear is nature. You will be staying in one of two spacious private bedrooms with double bed and en-suite. Access to lounge, pool (during season), kitchen, and a garden of 10 acres, including woodland. All meals provided including simple breakfast (cereal normally, but fresh croissants a couple of days per week), lunch usually as main meal and light supper (e.g. salad or bread and cheese). Please note we are pescatarian, so mainly veggie, sometimes fish, but no meat (unless we go out, in which case you can choose what you like!).
What else ...
We are very remote, so no public transport and even taxis would be a bit of a problem, although not impossible. If you have your own transport, there are chateaux, caves, gorge walks, rivers, kayaking, all within a reasonable distance. We can also drop off and collect within a 20km radius once or twice a week. However, we strongly recommend a good book in a hammock, a few lengths in the pool, soaking up some rays, chilling amongst the trees, and yoga is encouraged! Once the day’s help is done, relax and regenerate with delicious food, great wine and maybe even a game of Finnish Skittles with your hosts. Oh, and we have a gorgeous old cocker spaniel, although she’s a bit arthritic and quite deaf!
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
Two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
