Help me create a dry organic garden in the heart of the Minervois, the South of France

Infos

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  Description

  I am evolving a garden into a dry garden to make it more climate appropriate and preserve water resource. About two-thirds of the garden was planted with mediterranean plants in Feb 2022 and I will do more planting in March 2023. I want to plant a wild flower enclosure for my two native tortoise. The garden is managed organically and no pesticides have been used for over 2 years. The garden was designed by a renowned local organic garden landscape team who are guiding me through the process. Jobs include clearing, weeding, pruning, planting.
  
  The garden belongs to a "Maison de Maître" built in 1880. I am renovating the house to lower carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  I came here from London, looking for a change of lifestyle after many years working in media for a well-known environmental brand where I developed my interest in sustainable tourism. I have worked in Paris and before that in Italy.
  
  My overall ambition is to create a small, sustainable hospitality business that is rooted in its local context. I work with local builders and businesses and use local and/or local suppliers where I can. I am trying to develop along the lines of "slow tourism" championed by the local tourist office.
  
  I have learned a lot and am continuing to learn about building renovation and the challenges of our local climate (floods and drought !)
  
  I would love to host workawayers who are interested in sustainable tourism but am happy to host anyone who would just like to find out more about a historic rural area.

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  Aide

  I am looking for people who are interested in exploring this very peaceful and authentic area of rural France and who are happy to help out with gardening and small DIY jobs (painting, carpentry etc.).

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Anglais: Courant
  Français: Courant
  Italien: Courant
  Allemand: Débutant

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  I am a qualified TEFL teacher. I do about 6 hours a week teaching online.
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  Hébergement

  Double room with own bathroom available. All food provided through the stay including days off.

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  Autres infos...

  The house is in a village in the heart of the Minervois which is a wine-growing region. Its a great place to experience rural France. There are many farms and wineries that practice innovative bio-dynamic and organic techniques. Driving licence and car a plus to explore the area but I can also lend bicycles. My mother tongue is English but I speak good French and can speak either. There are beautiful walks in the countryside and lots of villages and towns to explore. The village has shops, a bar / bistro and a heated indoor swimming pool. Several other villages within cycling / hiking distance. The village is approximately one hours drive from the coast. Toulouse and Montpellier are approximately an hour and a half away by car. Train stations at Carcassonne (30 mins by car) and Narbonne (40 mins by car). Barcelona is 3 hours drive or a direct train from Narbonne.

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  Informations complémentaires

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    Accès Internet

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    Accès Internet limité

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    Nous avons des animaux

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    Nous sommes fumeurs

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    Familles bienvenues

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  Possibilité d’accueillir les digital nomads

  Good internet connection

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  There is parking in front of the house and 2 minutes away which can accommodate camper vans but there are no electric or water hook ups.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Deux

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  Nombre d'heures attendues

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

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