Help with country life in the foothills of the French Pyrenees, France

Detalles

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  Descripción

  Tom (42) is English. In early 2019 he decided to move permanently from his home in England to a 2.7 hectare (6 acre) plot in the foothills of the French Pyrenees; by car roughly an hour South of Toulouse and an hour North of Andorra.
  
  He is working towards a self sufficient life, with the aim of organically growing food to feed a (future) family and ideally to produce enough energy to heat and light the home off-grid.
  
  The plot is on the South facing side of a lush green valley overlooking snow capped mountains. There is a small ‘modern’ (1970s) house where Tom lives, with a separate building alongside it that he rents to tourists. The terrain is roughly 50% grass / paddock, and 50% woodland. Wild cherry, walnut and plum trees are dotted around and on clear days the sun hits the slope from dawn until dusk.
  
  The land sits 100m below the pretty mountain village of Roquefixade. The village is well known for it’s ruined castle, (Château de Roquefixade) and steep limestone cliffs that protect it from the Northern weather. In season, the Gite d’Etape in the village serves as a good local restaurant / bar, and the two lovely towns of Lavalenet and Foix are 10km away with many shops, bars, restaurants etc. Both towns have weekly farmers markets selling fresh seasonal produce.
  
  A young orchard has been planted and a 35ft polytunnel has been erected on a newly landscaped ex-paddock. Crops on two large growing terraces will be cultivated from Spring 2019.
  
  Tom has all the necessary equipment inc. chainsaw, mower and extensive building tools; mains water, mains electricity & a good WiFi connection.

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  Tipos de ayuda y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  Ayuda en proyectos ecológicos

  Jardinería

  Construcción y bricolaje

  Cuidado de animales

  Ayuda en una granja

  Ayuda doméstica

  Mantenimiento general
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  Intercambio cultural y oportunidades de aprendizaje

  The Ariège is one of the least populated and most beautiful areas of France.
  
  Volunteering at this smallholding offers the chance to spend time in a stunningly beautiful, tranquil space, to experience rural life in France, contribute to (and learn from) a project aiming at self-sufficiency.
  
  Tom has two cats that have free reign in the house. Tom ran a successful sales business in the uk before the lifestyle change, and now lives and works on the land. He is fun and hardworking, and a fantastic cook!
  
  For lovers of the outdoors, The valley is a perfect place to be. Cyclists, walkers and historians regularly come to explore the area, to visit the castles and lakes, and hike along the valley to nearby Chateau de Montsegur.
  
  The land is situated such that you are sure to find a private spot in the trees or the paddocks to relax, to read, enjoy a glass of wine or just work on your tan :)

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  Ayuda

  Tom is looking for autonomous, energetic, handy people who don’t mind very physical tasks, and are happy to get their hands dirty. You will have the chance to learn new skills and help with a variety of projects, including:
  
  1. Painting outside walls in garden.
  
  2. Helping with the construction of a woodworking workshop (casting new floor, electrics etc.)
  
  3. Basic forest management, including clearing woodland scrub, pruning / planting.
  
  4. Planning & sowing of seeds in line with the planting schedule. Caring for & harvesting organic crops.
  
  5. Daily watering of large vegetable patch / garden.
  
  6. Strimming borders with a petrol powered machine.
  
  7. Installing CCTV system (tech skills).
  
  8. Tending to chickens.
  
  9. Design and build of a solar shower in one of the paddocks.
  
  10. Building outdoor tent platforms in the paddock, and landscaping the area.
  
  11. Building a rough wooden shelter from un-milled wood, for tool & machinery storage.
  
  12. Fertilising and digging over soil in preparation for crops. Weeding & watering plants regularly.
  
  13. Helping landscape a grass paddock and erect / decorate 5m bell-tents.
  
  14. Building a second outdoor composting toilet.

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  Idiomas

  Idiomas hablados
  Inglés: Fluido
  Francés: Intermedio

  Este anfitrión ofrece intercambio de idiomas
  I speak excellent English with no strong accent, perfect to learn from. Always interested in improving my French!
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  Alojamiento

  For a single volunteer (or couple) there is a private, clean & comfortable private double bedroom in the central heated house. There is also a comfortable, private second double bed on a mezzanine area above the living room. Finally a study with two single beds.
  
  Your own car, motorbike or bicycle are preferable to see the sights and go to the shops. For those without Tom can collect and drop off at the local train station in Foix, and provide lifts to nearby towns when he goes there. Volunteers should be self-reliant and happy to entertain themselves outside of working hours / meal times as Tom has an active social life and likes his own space.
  
  There are plenty of opportunities to relax, hike and explore locally on foot in this stunningly beautiful part of France.
  
  All guests have access to the recently refurbished main house bathroom with a beautiful large ‘Italian-style’ hot shower, double basin and flush toilet.
  
  You will be offered three meals a day:
  
  08:00-09:00 - A light French breakfast with bread, croissants, jam, fresh coffee / tea etc.
  14:00-15:00 - A hot or cold lunch.
  19:30-20:30pm - A hot main evening meal with wine or beer.
  
  Tom cooks with fresh, local produce, and values time spent sharing meals. Food is very important to him and guests can expect good quality ingredients prepared to a high standard.

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  Algo más...

  Tom has travelled the world extensively for many years exploring Europe, South America, Africa, the Middle East & Asia. In years gone by he has worked as a volunteer himself so knows what it’s like and hopes to be an excellent host because of that experience!
  
  Tom is very sociable, but outside working hours appreciates his own space. On days off and in free afternoons volunteers with transport can canoe, swim or wakeboard at the nearby lakes & rivers. The nearest ski lift is 30 minutes drive where you can ski and snowboard during winter months. There are numerous trekking / hiking routes nearby, rock climbing and the beautiful town of Foix with great bars and restaurants is just a 15 minute drive from the plot. Barcelona is a 3 hour drive, and you can reach Andorra (for tax free shopping and great skiing) in around an hour.
  
  Volunteers are asked to help for 25 hours p/week, Monday to Friday; typically starting after breakfast at 9:00am, and finishing before lunch at 2:00pm. Your afternoons will be for you to explore and enjoy the area.
  
  Where possible volunteers are asked to bring a set of work clothes and suitable footwear for working outside, but Tom has some spare things for people of most sizes!
  
  Tom still likes to travel, and enjoys an active social life. He also values his time alone. For this reason typically volunteers are accepted for an initial period of 1-2 weeks, with longer stays possible if the fit is good for everyone.

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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

  I have a decent wifi setup allowing access to data throughout the property and on the terrace. Digital nomads welcome!

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  Espacio para aparcar autocaravanas

  There is plenty of space for a camper van at the house, with the possibility for an extension lead to provide electricity & an outdoor tap / sink for water and a temporary outdoor kitchen for cooking.

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  Podría aceptar mascotas

  I have two cats and chickens. If you have a pet that will fit with this dynamic then they are welcome.

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  ¿Cuántos voluntarios puedes hospedar?

  Más de dos

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  Horas esperadas

  5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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