House and pet sitting at a water mill in Faget-Abbatial, southwest France

Infos

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  Description

  We live in a renovated watermill in a beautiful , peaceful, unspoilt part of southwest France. The mill is very old and still retains many original features (mill stones etc) and we have tried to maintain it's character whilst modernising the property.
  
  We have a few animals and an organic vegetable garden, so we're looking for house sitters who like and have some experience with animals and enjoy gardening. We have a small flock of sheep, 2 goats, a pony and lots of chickens. We also have a Brittany Spaniel and 3 cats who are all very friendly.
  
  In short, we are looking for caring, practical, autonomous house sitters for 4 weeks (mid April to mid May)

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Jardinage

  S’occuper des animaux

  Garde de maison et d'animaux
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Politique/justice sociale

  

  Ferme

  

  Animaux de compagnie

  

  Dev. durable

  

  Cuisine et alimentation

  

  Soin des plantes

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Livres

  

  Sports d’hiver

  

  Nature

  

  Randonnée

  

  Montagne

  

  Sports d'aventure
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  Hope you like eating eggs......
  
  Depending on the time of year you are welcome to eat our home-grown produce.
  
  You're welcome to explore the local area with our bikes. Walking trail info provided.
  
  We hope you enjoy a taste of our little corner of paradise!

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  Projets impliquant des enfants

  Ce projet peut impliquer des enfants. Pour en savoir plus, consultez nos directives et conseils ici.

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  Aide

  The majority of the help is making sure the animals have food, water and company. Isa the spaniel needs regular walks and the chickens need letting out/closing in morning and night.The pony, goats and sheep live together and enjoy being fussed over.
  
  In winter the house is heated using solar panels, a wood burning stove in the kitchen and a wood burning boiler. The firewood needs wheelbarrowing to the boiler room. In summer hot water is provided by the solar panels.
  
  In the summer the veg patch/polytunnel needs regular watering - there is a semi-automated drip irrigation system using water from the canal.
  
  In the rare case of prolonged heavy rain, the sluice gates (at the mill and 200m upstream) need opening with a large metal handle. The upstream sluice gate is up a short ladder.
  
  The house will be clean on your arrival. We kindly ask you leave it in the same state. Non-smoking house.

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  Langues parlées

  Anglais: Courant
  Français: Courant
  Allemand: Débutant

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  Hébergement

  We have an independant guest room in the adjacent barn (up a flight of stairs) with an en suite bathroom, kitchenette (fridge/kettle/coffee percolator), comfortable double sofa bed and a terrace with a view over the garden. Bedding and towels provided.
  
  The main house has a well equipped kitchen (dishwasher/oven/hob/airfryer etc) & living room with TV (international channels). There's also a washing machine, electric BBQ and outdoor dining area. Fibre broadband. Window fly-screens.

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  Autres infos...

  We are in the heart of Gascony, the land of Armagnac, Cotes de Gascogne wine, foie gras and the 3 Musketeers. The area is known for local markets and historic villages and towns. All the local towns and villages hold cultural and sporting events throughout the year and there are resources we can show you depending on your centres of interest.
  
  There are the Pyrenees (1.5hrs), Toulouse (1hr), Tarbes and Lourdes (1.5hrs) and the Med or Atlantic (2.5hrs). Driving times.
  
  Nearest amenities eg markets, supermarkets, chemist, ATM, swimming lakes (summer) etc are 8km.
  
  Nearest airports are Toulouse, Lourdes, Carcassonne. Nearest train stations are Auch, Aubiet, Gimont.

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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

  Fibre speeds can dip a little in the evenings but otherwise are pretty good for the French countryside

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  Lots of space to park a camper and turn around. Very large campers may be hindered by low tree branches along our driveway. We have provision for charging electric cars under a car port (bring your own charger)

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Deux

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  Mes animaux

  

  Margerite and Tina (6 ans)

  We adopted these two as kids from a goat cheese farm nearby with the idea of them eating our weeds and brambles but they seem to prefer grass and hay. Nevertheless they make fun pets because of their inquisitive characters and they love a scratch around their horns. Watch out for them nibbling your trousers!

  

  Noodle (3 ans)

  Noodle is another cat that appeared at our house looking for a free feed but quickly settled here. He has become the man about the house. He is so loving and friendly that he will pester you for love and he takes a piece of everyones heart with him. A real charmer.

  

  Cashew (5 ans)

  Cashew started to appear at night at our property looking to eat our other cats food and after a little time and trust grew, she settled in and never left. We suspect she was abandoned nearby but she has become everyones lap cat and will sleep all night on your bed if you let her

  

  Padme (6 ans)

  Padme is an outside cat mainly because she is so furry that she overheats indoors. We adopted her as a kitten and she has turned out to be really beautiful. She is very friendly, loves a stroke and will always keep us company when gardening or working outside

  

  Mimi (26 ans)

  We adopted Mimi from our daughters riding stables because she was the softest and most loving pony at the stable and deserved a good retirement when she came to the end of her working life. She is in fine fettle and loves to be pampered with a good brushing or scratch and she lifts her feet perfectly for foot picking. She lives contentedly with her sheep and goat friends in our pastures.

  

  Isa (11 ans)

  Isa is a loving and friendly Brittany spaniel who is getting older and is slowing down a bit. She naps most of the day and all night but loves long walks and we take her for a walk morning, lunchtime and dinner which is as much about our health as hers. She is happy travelling in a car for short trips but she whines a little. She has the onset of dementia which means she needs a couple of medications each evening which takes seconds to give her.
  

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