Couple to help with small outside projects in the Dordogne, SW France

Detalles

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  Descripción

  Hello!
  
  I am looking for a couple to help us with some small outdoor projects for example, building a small covered area for hay storage (with pallets, horse manure and hay is the idea!), erecting a small pergola etc, and later on some gardening when Spring arrives. Some help with our animals will also be great, especially if you'd like to learn about horses!
  
  Private accommodation in the Pigeonnier which has a king size bed, shower room and downstairs a kitchenette. You would be the only Workawayers, so the space is just for you. Digital nomads welcome!
  
  OWN TRANSPORT ESSENTIAL! unless you are super happy to stay for a week or two with no transport as we are quite rural.
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  ABOUT US
  We are a British family of 4, a married couple with two sons, age 16 and 13. We have been living in the south of the Dordogne, SW France since 2017.
  
  We live in a semi-rural location with 5ha of land for our 3 horses and 1 pony that are used for pleasure riding. We have 4 hens, 2 cats and our adopted dog, Shadow, who has 3 legs but runs like the wind! We have 1.5ha of grounds; a growing orchard including a fully grown walnut tree ready for harvesting during the month of September; a farmhouse to renovate; a restored 1 bedroomed Pigeonnier and our renovated 4 bedroomed barn for our family.
  
  We are situated in-between two beautiful medieval villages that have markets at the weekend selling local produce including organic vegetables, approximately 7km away. We also have a little shop selling local produce and convenience food, just 3km away.
  
  From our doorstep, we have many off-road trails that can be enjoyed by foot, bike or horseback, with distant views of Chateau de Biron.
  
  My husband works from his office in the main house and I look after the house, garden, animals and my growing boys, learning French! My passion is horse riding which I try to do a few times per week and hiking in the mountains. My youngest son also rids the horses with me. We are a vegetarian household, (however my husband and eldest son eat meat when out at restaurants/school). The Pigeonnier is also as a rental gîte when we don't have Workaways staying.

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  Tipos de ayuda y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  Práctica de idiomas

  Jardinería

  Construcción y bricolaje

  Cuidado de animales

  Ayuda en una granja

  Cocinar para toda la familia

  Ayuda doméstica

  Mantenimiento general

  Cuidado de casas y mascotas
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  Intereses

  

  Vegetariano o vegano

  

  Películas y televisión

  

  Mascotas

  

  Agricultura

  

  Trabajo de caridad

  

  Cuidado de plantas

  

  Jardinería

  

  Animales

  

  Montaña

  

  Yoga / bienestar

  

  Naturaleza

  

  Senderismo
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  Intercambio cultural y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  We all speak English at home and my children are fluent in French, I speak some French so there is an opportunity to learn a little French or English!
  
  You will experience the way of living in France; the local seasonal produce; plums, mushrooms, hazelnuts and walnuts at the local markets, many restaurants (strict opening hours of 12-2 and many close on Mondays), local breweries, wineries and beautiful hilly countryside with many châteaux, medieval stone buildings and Pigeonniers, a network of hiking trails, Wildlife; many birds, deer, boars; red squirrels, Farming; cow farms, sunflowers crops, hay making and of course many vineyards!
  
  Enjoy our peaceful surrounding of nature at home with some amazing sunrises, paddocks lined with oak trees, river running by the trees, horses grazing, and bright stars on a clear night!
  
  During the July and August there are night markets where locals get together and eat local food in the villages normally with live music.

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  Ayuda

  There are always areas that need help! During each Spring and Autumn we need help with strimming, pruning, weeding, veg patch tasks and occasional help looking after the horses and other animals!
  
  ANIMALS
  HORSES - We have 3 horses and 1 pony who live-out together in a herd within 5 hectares of pastures and 2 track systems that are rotated. They have a shelter they can always access with ad-lib hay and fresh water. There are no stables to muck out but the tasks for them are poo picking the shelter and surrounding area. Hay; we have large round bales and the hay is put into a container under the shelter and sprayed with water. They are sometimes fed breakfast (hard feed in the mornings only), so making up the feeds and washing the buckets; cleaning and changing the water buckets, sweeping the concrete area under the shelter etc. No poo picking of the fields is necessary as they are harrowed and rested when necessary. They will need to be brought in or turned out into the fields; putting headcollars on is not necessary as they either come when they are called or can drive them in from behind and they know their routine! (Grooming not necessary as I only do this when riding) The summers can be very warm so we tend to start early and the winters muddy & wet!
  
  HENS - We have 4 free range hens who put themselves to bed at night in their hen house and will need closing up at sun down; They will need letting out in the mornings, feeding and cleaning out each morning that takes no more than 10mins! Don’t forget to check for eggs, late morning and maybe lunchtime or the magpies will beat you to it!
  
  CATS - We have 2 cats (brother & sister) that we rescued as kittens in 2018. Joey, our male cat, is super friendly and loves a cuddle and will want to sleep on your bed! Lola is a little shy, but likes a stroke and a chin rub! We don't have a cat flap so no 'surprises' are brought in, they ask to go in and out when you're around. They have ad-lib biscuits.
  
  SHADOW - our energetic young rescue dog, has 3 legs (missing hind leg) but she’s not only very mobile, she's super fast when she runs and loves her daily walks! She goes off the lead and going fast is easier for her. We have off-road walks straight from the house! She has a pretty good recall and is always improving in her training. I always have her on the lead when on or crossing the road. As long as she's had a good walk she can be left for a few hours if you go out and about visiting places. In the day she likes to hang around with you, also can be a good guard dog if she sees anyone around. The garden is fenced so she cannot get out of the grounds. She is happy and relaxed after her walk; either two short walks of a minimum of 20-30mins or even up to 2-3hrs (10-15km). She sleeps peacefully and doesn't disturb you at night.
  
  WORKAWAY HOURS/DAYS: We can be very flexible with when you would like to do tasks. 25 hours per week PER PERSON is expected - 4-5hrs per day, 5 days per week (FLEXIBLE DAYS) with 2 days off and depending on weather and what type of help is needed and if you preferred certain days off!
  
  Your FOOD budget is 50€ per person per week, when doing 25 hours per week (we will provide washing up liquid etc, and condiments-oil, salt and pepper etc). If you wanted to help fewer hours i.e 15hours per week, we wont provide food.

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  Idiomas

  Idiomas hablados
  Inglés: Fluido
  Francés: Intermedio

  Este anfitrión ofrece intercambio de idiomas
  I’m interested in furthering my french language and can help with English
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  Alojamiento

  We have a cute 2 storey Pigeonnier renovated in 2018; Upstairs offers a king-size bed (150cm), chest of drawers, hanging space and a Bathroom; shower, toilet and basin accessed by a wooden spiral staircase.
  Downstairs offers a kitchenette; fridge/freezer, 2 plate hob, air fryer, sink, cupboard space. Living area; 2 seater sofa and breakfast table. There is electric underfloor heating downstairs and a small electric radiator upstairs. It looks out to the South West enjoying the sunrise and onto the horse shelter and paddocks.
  
  WORKAWAY: You will be staying in our Pigeonnier; Breakfast and lunch can be enjoyed at your leisure (whilst I will be busy helping the children get ready and off to school in the mornings and working partly in the day). However, we can enjoy and share a couple of evening meals , creating meals for each other; (Our evenings vary due to the children’s after-school activities). If you are a couple you’re welcome to eat by totally by yourselves if you prefer that. We are very flexible.

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  Algo más...

  We are looking for a non-smoking person or couple / friends who respects nature, loves the outdoors, who are calm and patient around animals, especially the horses and enjoys outdoor work!
  
  TRANSPORT is essential as we are not within walking distance to the local shops and tourism, unless you are happy to stay local during your time off. We could collect-drop you from/to our nearest train station (Bergerac). You are welcome to use our bicycles to get around and explore the quiet country lanes and to get to the local villages; Issigeac, Villeréal or Castillonnès (10km with some hills)
  
  Our nearest airport is BERGERAC AIRPORT for flights to/from U.K, Netherlands and Belguim (20mins drive from our house) and BORDEAUX for international flights with train links to BERGERAC (1h15mins train ride then 25mins drive to our house)
  
  Taxis are very few and far between.
  
  There are many attractions in this part of France if you have a car; visiting châteaux, wine tasting, hiking, canoeing, and many caves etc!

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  Un poco más de información

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    Acceso a Internet

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    Acceso a Internet limitado

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    Tenemos animales

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    Somos fumadores

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    Puede alojar familias

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  Puede acoger a nómadas digitales

  The Pigeonnier has a very good WIFI connection.

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  Espacio para aparcar autocaravanas

  We have an off-road parking area next to the Pigeonnier for an average size camper, where you can hook up with electric. The Pigeonnier can also be used.

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  ¿Cuántos voluntarios puedes hospedar?

  Dos

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  Mis animales / mascotas

  Pikachu, Pixie, Ivory and Ebony

  Pancho (17 años)

  Skewbald pony gelding

  Carmen (26 años)

  Fjord X Mare

  Joker (28 años)

  Bay AngloArab Gelding

  Lime (19 años)

  Grey Connemara Gelding

  

  Lola

  

  Joey

  

  Shadow

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