Help renovate an enchanting old house in Brittany, France

Detalles

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  Descripción

  I had been planning to move abroad for years, and in 2020 I came to France to look around some options. This house in Merdrignac was one of the last properties I saw, and I was immediately enchanted. But it was a serious fixer-upper...
  
  I have spent the last two years ripping out old dull furniture, carpets, curtains and wallpaper, updating the terrible electrics and plumbing and creating new rooms that are suitable for renting out to guests. We have done an incredible amount but there are still so many projects left to do... especially in the various outbuildings that I am hoping to renovate and add to the business portfolio, which is to turn the property into a luxurious retreat destination, chambre d'hôtes and event venue.
  
  I have big plans for the garden: clearing boarders, chopping down overgrown bushes, building raised beds and a chicken coop, completely renovating the ancient greenhouse, installing a rain collection watering system, planting an orchard and a wild flower meadow, reinstate the pond, installing a swedish hot tub, renovating a small building to become a wood fire sauna/steam room, and all of that after the general wilderness that is now the garden is brought back under control!
  
  So there are lots of projects to be done around the house/gardens that suit all skill levels and would be perfect for a few work-awayers to sink their teeth into.
  The main house is fully functional, fully furnished with wifi, heating, bathrooms, and a tv projector
  During the peak seasons I am now open for business as a B&B (chambre d'hôtes), so it would be fantastic to have help with running that and making sure the guests have a brilliant time...

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  Tipos de ayuda y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  Proyectos artísticos

  Práctica de idiomas

  Ayuda en proyectos ecológicos

  Jardinería

  Construcción y bricolaje

  Ayuda doméstica

  Mantenimiento general

  Ayuda informática
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  Intercambio cultural y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  I used to be a Londoner, but am now a resident, living in France. When I lived in London I was a theatre production manager. I have experience in set-building and scenic art. Over lockdown, mostly to stave off boredom/insanity, I bought, designed and built our camper van TangaTanga, and I redecorated my sister’s flat in London. This house is by far my biggest challenge yet. I am obviously more than happy to share any know-how when it comes to building and designing with anyone who comes to help.
  
  I have also done a bit of exploring through Brittany and I'm happy to share what knowledge I have of the area...
  
  My garden will be wholly organic and natural so workawayers will be able to hone their green fingers in a pesticide free zone, I have been learning all about different ways to compost, shred garden waste and create a green space that fits in with the landscape, so my garden is a welcome home to all the creatures of nature.

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  Ayuda

  I have done a lot of work on the house over the last few years, and found past work-awayers have all been amazingly helpful. There is a seemingly never-ending to-do list though!
  Some items on the list:
  
  Main House:
  -paint a mural on the roof terrace walls
  -tile the wine cellar floor
  -building shelves in the pantry and the wine cellar
  -organising the loft space into a crafting room
  -sewing and hanging curtains
  -painting the loft bedroom
  -fixing in skirting boards, cornices and ceiling roses
  -Repairing and repainting the external windows and shutters
  -maintaining the guest rooms
  -Upcycling various bits of furniture
  -Hanging pictures
  -Laying rugs
  
  The main house has mostly been completed so I need help with the day to day running of things, and with setting up the business as a chambre d'hôtes and retreat.
  I also host events throughout the year so assistance with these will be very useful.
  If you have any experience in hospitality or restaurant work then that would be very helpful!
  
  The garden is still quite overgrown, and needs a lot of work to bring it to its full potential.
  
  Some jobs:
  -help renovate the greenhouse: de-rusting the frame and paining with anti-rust paint, cutting away the unusable pieces, re installing the glass panes with silicone
  -clearing the choked flower beds around the cottage
  -building a chicken coop in the front garden
  -collecting firewood and restocking the wood store after the winter
  -maintaining the raised beds for vegetables
  -clearing and organising the potting shed
  -composting
  -digging and mulching a planting bed along the walls of the back garden
  -watering the vegetables and maintaining the veg beds
  -harvesting fruits and chestnuts as they are ready, and preparing them for preserving
  -cutting back Laurel hedges and clearing overgrown paths (but you will need to be comfortable using a chainsaw)
  -Digging out thistles from the lawn
  -chopping firewood
  -collecting and storing rain water in the water tanks.
  
  Cottage:
  the cottage renovations have just begun, so there will be builders here throughout the year laying floors, building walls, insulating and plastering. When they are here hand on help will definitely be appreciated!
  -clear and sort furniture that is currently being stored there, organise antique french books to go to old book shop

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  Idiomas

  Idiomas hablados
  Inglés: Fluido
  Francés: Principiante

  Este anfitrión ofrece intercambio de idiomas
  I have been taking french classes for the last few years and have definitely improved... but there's still a long way to go! I am very happy to practice with anyone who wants to speak some french.
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  Alojamiento

  You will be staying on the top floor of the main house. The room has twin beds that can be pushed together to create a larger bed, storage, an ensuite shower room and a tea station outside the door.
  
  I will provide breakfast each morning and dinner each night, and you are welcome to use the kitchen any time to make lunch or go into town. The local town is a 5 minute walk from my house with a weekly market, a bar, boulangeries, creperies, a large supermarket and a few shops and restaurants.
  
  There are bikes here if you want to go exploring, and there is a bus stop… (although the schedule is still an indecipherable mystery to me). I usually go out for day trips to other towns and am always happy to explore further...

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  Algo más...

  There are lakes near the house that feature sailing and paddle boarding. There are terrific forests for hiking and foraging. Saint Malo is an hour north of me, with great shopping and food, as well as daily boat trips to Jersey, and the historic town of Dinan is about 40 minutes away. The south coast is about an hour and twenty minutes away by car, and the capital city Rennes is 50 minutes east, buzzing with shops, and a terrific weekend market that I usually head over to. I have two London Town bikes and two french bikes available, so you can borrow these to explore the area as much as you like. They are in no way mountain bikes though, so be warned! I have a car and can pick people up from the nearest station, which is Caulnes, about 25 minutes away. There is a bus route running through Merdrignac, which will take you either to Rennes or Loudeac/Saint Brieuc, though as I mentioned, the schedule is a little tricky to figure out, so depending on how much you’d like to explore, your own means of transportation might be useful.
  
  I have been a workawayer myself many times while travelling in Nepal, Japan and Indonesia and had wonderful experiences every time, I met some awesome people, fellow travellers like myself and locals alike and learnt some new skills, one being how to milk a buffalo! I am opening my new home up to anyone who is keen to help me make this place an amazing space and get creative with the garden.
  
  I am an early riser myself but I don't expect others to be, I love cooking and entertaining and look forward to meeting some fabulous people!

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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

  Yes, there is 5G wifi throughout the house

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  Espacio para aparcar autocaravanas

  I have a back gate that is 2.4 meters wide, the back yard will have space for a campervan that can fit through! No outdoor toilet facilities at the moment but the house facilities will be available.

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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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