Join our family and help us with gardening, landscaping, small building tasks and language exchange in South West of Toulouse, France

Detalles

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  Descripción

  We are a warm and hospitable family of 5 who are currently undertaking the renovation of an old postal relay from the 1800's in the heart of the Comminges, 40 minutes South West of Toulouse. The manor and its guesthouse are set in 10 hectares of beautiful land. We have a forest, some agricultural land which is leased to local farmers, an orchard as well as lovely gardens and a high yielding vegetable patch. We have stunning views of the Pyrenees mountains and beautiful mild weather for most of the year. We are an international family with a combined 6 languages between us: English, Spanish, French, Swedish, German and Catalan. Andreas is in need of some help in order to fast track the reno project with particular focus on the small guardian’s house. He is competent in all aspects of building, electricity and plumbing and has built the swimming pool and various other projects himself, including solar panel installation. He would be guiding you with patience and expertise, and he is hoping to meet driven and enthusiastic individuals who are good thinkers and fast learners. We bought this place because as far as quality of life goes, it ticks all the boxes for us. There is loads to explore around here. Festivals and cultural activities take place mainly during the summer however you can explore nature year-round, with some breathtaking scenery right here on our doorstep or a short bike ride away. Even though it is a country setting, you have major facilities very close by. It is not remote by any means with a big supermarket only 5 minutes-drive away. Toulouse airport is 45 minutes by car and there's good trains and buses connecting you to the rest of France. Regional centres are St Gaudens and St. Girons. Tarbes and Lourdes are not too far either. Ideally you would have a car if you want total freedom, but we do go out and explore on weekends and we are happy to bring you with us on hikes, sightseeing, etc.
  We have installed an IKEA kitchen in the guesthouse, and have renovated the bathrooms, we will need help with painting and previous building or handyman experience would be nice, but not required, as long as you are willing to learn. We do ask you to bring workboots and to have up to date travel insurance which includes some manual work. We can always use help for wood splitting using our hydraulic splitter as we burn wood from our forest for keeping the house warm in the winter months. We have a back hoe and all the tools and equipment necessary to carry out work as needed. We would expect 5hrs of work per day or full day on full day off, week on week off...we are flexible.
  You will have your own private room in the guesthouse with everything you need such as tv, and internet connection, 2 toilets and 1 shower to share. You can use the kitchen and laundry and might be sharing with maximum 2 other people (3 bedroom house). We live in the big house, just next to the guesthouse, a few steps away. Shopping will be done every couple of days. No fussy eaters please! We are unashamed carnivores! and love our wood-fire bbq’s in the evenings, where we gather around and roast marshmallows with the kids afterwards! You are most welcome if you are musical, play the guitar, sing, etc, but it is not a requirement as we are happy to have quiet chats by the fire. We are not big on alcohol, but do enjoy a cold beer if we have had a particularly physical day at work. We will food prep/wash up together or on a rota basis. We will eat together with my whole family.
  We are in the heart of the Comminges, people are friendly and open around here with plenty of opportunity to work on improving your French if this is what you wish to do. Having done a fair bit of backpacking around the world myself, I love a good chat and I am an open, honest and hardworking Swede.
  "The green valleys and mountains to the south of Toulouse are a huge attraction for those hoping to enjoy the great outdoors. In summer the Haute Garonne is an accessible paradise for walkers, cyclists and climbers who come to enjoy the beautiful and unspoiled landscape. The walking and cycle route are also marked with hoof prints as the many stables in the region take guided horse rides up into the mountains for spectacular rides. In winter, the Pyrenees are blanketed in snow, and the walkers, bikers and climbers are replaced by skiers and walkers with raquettes (snow shoes) or families with sledges". If you want to find out more this comes from an excellent website: Foothills of France. Go to the "Useful links" tab or the "Local guide to the Haute Garonne", which is under the "Local guides" tab. Our town is mentioned there as one of the prettiest towns in France: Salies du Salat. And we have to agree with them. It is simply a most useful and informative website. We recommend the "Our Area" tab also if you go down and click on "Culture, Music and the Arts" as well as "Activities in the region". Looking forward to welcoming you to our home: our "petit coin du paradis".

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  Tipos de ayuda y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  Práctica de idiomas

  Jardinería

  Construcción y bricolaje

  Cocinar para toda la familia

  Ayuda doméstica

  Mantenimiento general
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  Intercambio cultural y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  We speak 6 languages between us, our three kids are aged 8, 11 and 13, and have all been born in a different place in the world. Every day will be different and we are enthusiastic and open minded about getting things done, you will be appreciated to take initiative, and will value and respect your point of view, you will also be learning life skills in co-habitation, food growing, shared responsibilities, building projects, renewable energy projects, meal prepping if this is what you wish to do. We pride ourselves in being adaptable and focusing on you having a fruitful time with us.

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  Proyectos con niños

  En este proyecto podría haber niños. Para obtener más información, consulta nuestras directrices y consejos aquí.

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  Ayuda

  Enthusiastic and solutions centered travelers could help with gardening, landscaping, small building jobs, building a fence, help with the house, language exchange. We will need help with painting and previous building or handyman experience would be nice, but not required, as long as you are willing to learn. We do ask you to bring workboots and to have up to date travel insurance which includes some manual work. We can always use help for wood splitting using our hydraulic splitter as we burn wood from our forest for keeping the house warm in the winter months. If you like the outdoors, and love physical activity, and if you take responsibility for keeping your mind and body tuned up, then you have found the right family to host you. We will welcome you and treat you to great food and awesome conversation, you will be one of the family.

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  Idiomas

  Idiomas hablados
  Alemán: Fluido
  Inglés: Fluido
  Español: Fluido
  Swedish: Fluido
  Catalan: Intermedio
  Francés: Intermedio

  Este anfitrión ofrece intercambio de idiomas
  Este anfitrión ha indicado que está interesado en compartir su idioma o aprender otro.
  Ponte en contacto con él para obtener más información.
  
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  Alojamiento

  You will have your own private room in the guesthouse with everything you need such as tv, and internet connection, 2 toilets and 1 shower to share. You can use the kitchen and laundry and might be sharing with maximum 2 other people (3 bedroom house). We live in the big house, just next to the gatehouse, a few steps away and always on call if you ever need anything. We will meal prep and eat together in the big house or its courtyard if you wish, or you may get organised between yourself and flatmates as to meal arrangements at the guesthouse. We are flexible, and rest assured food will be in plentiful supply. No fussy eaters please! (vegans, vegetarians), we eat meat.

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  Algo más...

  "The green valleys and mountains to the south of Toulouse are a huge attraction for those hoping to enjoy the great outdoors. In summer the Haute Garonne is an accessible paradise for walkers, cyclists and climbers who come to enjoy the beautiful and unspoiled landscape. The walking and cycle route are also marked with hoof prints as the many stables in the region take guided horse rides up into the mountains for spectacular rides. In winter, the Pyrenees are blanketed in snow, and the walkers, bikers and climbers are replaced by skiers and walkers with raquettes (snow shoes) or families with sledges". If you want to find out more this comes from an excellent website: Foothills of France. Go to the "Useful links" tab or the "Local guide to the Haute Garonne", which is under the "Local guides" tab. Our town is mentioned there as one of the prettiest towns in France: Salies du Salat. And we have to agree with them. It is simply a most useful and informative website. We recommend the "Our Area" tab also if you go down and click on "Culture, Music and the Arts" as well as "Activities in the region". There are 1 minute shorts on youtube if you search for "Découvrir l'Occitanie". Looking forward to welcoming you to our home: our "petit coin du paradis". We love an atmosphere of mutual respect and open and kind communication. We value and appreciate engaged and enthusiastic teamplayers, keen learners and solutions oriented people. We don't sweat the small stuff. We wake up at 7am and begin our work at 8am on weekdays. Get ready to roll your sleeves up, learn a lot of stuff and finish each day satisfied with yourself and the contribution you have made, while we look after you and treat you as one of our own.

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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

  Este anfitrión ha indicado que le encanta acoger a nómadas digitales.

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  Espacio para aparcar autocaravanas

  Unlimited 1 vehicle only.

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  ¿Cuántos voluntarios puedes hospedar?

  Más de dos

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  Horas esperadas

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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