Sara

United Kingdom
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Travel information
I am currently
At home
Description
Hi, My name is Sara , I live part time in London with my husband, and part time in the South of France (sometimes with my husband!). We have 2 boys, who are now at University and more or less living away from home.

I have lots of hobbies and leisure activities, mainly centered around sports and physical activities, but also some creative and intellectual! In London I live close to the river Thames and spend a lot of time rowing, running and walking alongside, the Thames. In France I also run and walk alongside, and row and sail on, our nearby Etang. I practice yoga and pilates, mainly on-line so I am lucky to be able do this from anywhere. When I have the chance I explore with my bike, cycling through the vineyards near our house in France, and discovering nearby towns and villages.
I also enjoy photography and would love the opportunity to explore a new area with my camera. We have had an allotment for over 20 years where we grow fruit and vegetables, I have a lot of experience and a good knowledge of growing things. It is very rewarding to cook a meal using ingredients grown on the allotment. When time (and Covid) allows I enjoy skiing which is something i have done for most of my life. Lastly, and importantly I enjoy learning French. I studied to A Level standard at school, and since then have periodically taken lessons to continue improving. I really enjoy speaking french, but despite many hours of learning there is still much to improve.

Why do I want to workaway? I am looking to meet new people and have new adventures and experiences. I love being in France and would like to live as part of a french community and get to know an area that I haven't previously visited. I am lucky that I have now reached a time in my life where I have the flexibility to be able to spend some time away from my husband (who is very understanding and supportive!) and my sons (who are plenty old enough to take care of themselves). I would like to spend time with likeminded people in a mutually beneficial arrangement.
Interests
Yoga / Wellness
Winter sports
Sustainability
Self development
Sailing / Boating
Plant care
Photography
Pets
Performing arts
Outdoor activities
Nature
Mountain
Languages
Hiking
Gardening
Fitness
Culture
Cycling
Cooking & food
Charity work

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Languages spoken
French: Intermediate
German: Beginner
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Eco Projects
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Being an elderly companion
General Maintenance
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Helping around the house
Animal Care
Hospitality/Tourism
Charity Work
Languages
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Art Projects
More details about your skills
Basic DIY, growing up in a family where my parents renovated the family home and then going on to take on several renovation / re-building projects of my own and later on, with my husband. Lots and lots of experience of decorating - my favourite job is filling. I enjoy cooking, and am happy to cook meat, fish and vegetarian.
Mother tongue english, I can also speak French, and would be happy to participate in a French / English language exchange opportunity but would prefer not to be in a 100% english speaking environment.

I grew up with a vegetable patch at home (although I have to admit to not being very interested in it at the time), Since maturing! we now have our own family allotment close to our home in London for over 20 years, i am pretty experienced at growing fruit and vegetables and all the things that go with that.

I love spending time with animals, I have lived with dogs for most of my life and really do love them, cats are OK too!. In the past i have owned kept chickens cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, gerbils and goldfish!

I have worked as a holiday company representative in a ski resort, and also as a chalet housekeeper / cook.

I am good with computers, and can normally work things out when they develop a problem. I have loads of experience with excel and word. I also work with accounting packages (Xero, Sage & Quickbooks).

I am fit, healthy and active. I am responsible and sensible. I have a clean driving license and am confident driving in France.
Age
55
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements

Friends

Photos

My sister and I on holiday recently in Madeira, I am the one on the left.

Attempting Tree pose with walking boots on, that's me at the front.

Me with husband and youngest son. We don't often dress up so couldn't miss the opportunity of a photograph.

Me with oldest son, walking part of the coastal path, Cornwall 2021

Our much loved dog, Griff. Sadly no longer with us, and still very much missed.

Feedback

2 Oct 2023

Left by Workawayer (Sara) for host (Come and stay in a beautiful ...)

My first workaway expereince !! I have just spent 2 weeks at Odile's house in the stunning Haut-Languedoc. I was helping mainly in her vegetable garden (weeding, digging, planting seedlings, watering) but also in the campsite where it was time to put everything away for the winter. Being a keen gardener, I enjoyed working in the open air, in the… read more garden and campsite, and I hope I have picked up some tips to help with my garden back home. Odile was easy to work with, gave clear instructions and I think we worked together well. In the afternoons, I had plenty of time to explore the region, if you like cycling, hiking or wild swimming then this is the place for you! The voie verte is almost on the doorstep and its easy to discover the local villages. Odile kindly invited me along to some community events which were fun too, and I got a taste of life in the valley. Odile was very gracious with my french speaking, I had hoped to improve during the 2 weeks I was there, and I certainly felt as if communicating in french got easier as time went on, and I came away feeling a lot more confident. I have not only come away from Haut-Languedoc with some lovely memories, but also some of Odile's home made plum jam and grapes which she generously gave me.

I'm being a bit lazy and using a translator for the french, but I hope it still gives a good sense of my 2 weeks as a workawayer.

Ma première expérience de workaway ! Je viens de passer 2 semaines chez Odile dans le magnifique Haut-Languedoc. J'ai aidé principalement dans son potager (désherbage, bêchage, plantation de semis, arrosage) mais aussi dans le camping où il était temps de tout ranger pour l'hiver. En tant que jardinière passionnée, j'ai apprécié de travailler en plein air, dans le jardin et le camping, et j'espère avoir acquis quelques astuces qui me seront utiles dans mon jardin de retour à la maison. Odile a été facile à travailler, elle a donné des instructions claires et je pense que nous avons bien travaillé ensemble. L'après-midi, j'ai eu beaucoup de temps pour explorer la région. Si vous aimez le vélo, la randonnée ou la natation sauvage, c'est l'endroit idéal pour vous ! La voie verte est presque sur le pas de la porte et il est facile de découvrir les villages locaux. Odile m'a gentiment invitée à participer à des événements communautaires qui étaient également amusants, et j'ai eu un avant-goût de la vie dans la vallée. Odile a été très gentille avec mon français, j'espérais m'améliorer pendant les deux semaines que j'ai passées là-bas, et j'ai eu l'impression de parler plus facilement au fur et à mesure que le temps passait, et je suis repartie en me sentant beaucoup plus sûre de moi. Je suis revenue du Haut-Languedoc non seulement avec de beaux souvenirs, mais aussi avec de la confiture de prunes et des raisins qu'Odile m'a généreusement offerts.

(Excellent )

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