Animal sitting in the Dordogne, France

Infos

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  Description

  Hello
  
  15 - 25 JUNE
  I am looking for a person or a couple EXPERIENCED WITH HORSES for ANIMAL SITTING, inc dog walking and hens! You will need to arrive on 15th or 16th June, so I can spend a few days with you before I depart on the 19th June, so you can get to know them and their routine and be shown local trails to take our dog for walks.
  (I arrive back late on 24th June) Private accommodation!
  
  ABOUT US
  We are a British family of 4, a married couple with two sons, age 15 and 12. We have been living in the south of the Dordogne, SW France since 2017.
  
  We live in a semi-rural location with 5ha of land for our 3 horses and 1 pony that are used for pleasure riding. We have hens, 2 cats and our adopted dog, Shadow, who has 3 legs but runs like the wind! We have 1.5ha of grounds; a growing orchard including a fully grown walnut tree ready for harvesting during the month of September; a farmhouse to renovate; a restored 1 bedroomed Pigeonnier and our renovated 4 bedroomed barn for our family.
  
  We are situated in-between two beautiful medieval villages that have markets at the weekend selling local produce including organic vegetables, approximately 7km away. We also have a little shop selling local produce and convenience food, just 2km away.
  
  From our doorstep, we have many off-road trails that can be enjoyed by foot, bike or horseback, with distant views of Chateau de Biron.
  
  My husband works from his home office and I look after the house, garden, animals and my growing boys! My passion is horse riding which I try to do a few times per week. My youngest son also rides. We are a vegetarian household, however my husband and eldest son eat meat when out at restaurants. I run the Pigeonnier as a gîte when we don't have Workaways.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Pratique d’une langue

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  S’occuper des animaux

  Aide dans une ferme

  Cuisine/repas pour la famille

  Aide à la maison

  Entretien général

  Home sitting
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Végétarien ou végan

  

  Films et télé

  

  Animaux de compagnie

  

  Ferme

  

  Bénévolat

  

  Soin des plantes

  

  Jardinage

  

  Animaux

  

  Montagne

  

  Yoga / bien-être

  

  Nature

  

  Randonnée
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  We all speak English at home and my children are fluent in French, I speak some French so there is an opportunity to learn a little French or English!
  
  You will experience the way of living in France; the local seasonal produce; plums, mushrooms, hazelnuts and walnuts at the local markets, many restaurants (strict opening hours of 12-2 and many close on Mondays), local breweries, wineries and beautiful hilly countryside with many châteaux, medieval stone buildings and Pigeonniers, a network of hiking trails, Wildlife; many birds, deer, boars; red squirrels, Farming; cow farms, sunflowers crops, hay making and of course many vineyards!
  
  Enjoy our peaceful surrounding of nature at home with some amazing sunrises, paddocks lined with oak trees, river running by the trees, horses grazing, and bright stars on a clear night!
  
  During the July and August there are night markets where locals get together and eat local food in the villages normally with live music.

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  Aide

  There are always areas that need work! During each Spring and Autumn we need help with strimming, pruning, weeding, veg patch, fence maintenance and house/animal sitting; looking after the horses and other animals!
  
  ANIMAL SITTING
  HORSES - We have 3 horses and 1 pony who live-out together in a herd within 5 hectares of pastures and 2 track systems that are rotated. They have a shelter they can always access with ad-lib hay and fresh water. There are no stables to muck out but the tasks for them are poo picking the shelter and surrounding area. Hay; we have large round bales and the hay is put into a container under the shelter and sprayed with water. They are fed breakfast (hard feed in the mornings only), so making up the feeds and washing the buckets; cleaning and changing the water buckets, sweeping the concrete area under the shelter etc. No poo picking of the fields is necessary as they are harrowed and rested when necessary. They will need to be brought in or turned out into the fields; putting headcollars on is not necessary as they either come when they are called or can drive them in from behind and they know their routine! (Grooming not necessary as I only do this when riding) The summers can be very warm so we tend to start early and the winters muddy & wet!
  
  HENS - We have 3 free range hens who put themselves to bed at night in their hen house and will need closing up at sun down; They will need letting out in the mornings, feeding and cleaning out each morning that takes no more than 10mins! Don’t forget to check for eggs, late morning and maybe lunchtime or the magpies will beat you to it!
  
  CATS - We have 2 cats (brother & sister) that we rescued as kittens in 2018. Joey, our male cat, is super friendly and loves a cuddle and will want to sleep on your bed! Lola is a little shy, but likes a stroke and a chin rub! We don't have a cat flap so no 'surprises' are brought in, they ask to go in and out when you're around. They have ad-lib biscuits and are fed wet feed now and again.
  
  SHADOW - our energetic young rescue dog, has 3 legs (missing hind leg) but she’s not only very mobile, she's super fast when she runs and loves her daily walks! She goes off the lead and going fast is easier for her. We have off-road walks straight from the house! She has a pretty good recall and is always improving in her training. I always have her on the lead when on or crossing the road. As long as she's had a good walk she can be left for a few hours if you go out and about visiting places. In the day she likes to hang around with you, also can be a good guard dog if she sees anyone around. The garden is fenced so she cannot get out of the grounds. She is happy and relaxed after her walk; either two short walks of a minimum of 20-30mins or even up to 2-3hrs (10-15km). She sleeps peacefully and doesn't disturb you at night.
  
  HOUSESITTING: 2-3hrs per day max, 7 days per week
  
  WORKAWAY HOURS/DAYS: We can be very flexible with when you would like to do tasks. 25hours per week is expected and can be split into more or less hours per day for example, 7 days per week doing 3.5hrs per day or 4 days per week and 6 and a quarter hrs per day depending on weather and what type of help is needed!

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  Langues

  Langues parlées
  Anglais: Courant
  Français: Intermédiaire

  Cet hôte propose un échange linguistique
  I’m interested in furthering my french language and can help with English
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  Hébergement

  We have a cute 2 storey Pigeonnier renovated in 2018; Upstairs offers a king-size bed (150cm), chest of drawers, hanging space and a Bathroom; shower, toilet and basin accessed by a wooden spiral staircase.
  Downstairs offers a kitchenette; fridge/freezer, 2 plate hob, (no oven), sink, cupboard space. Living area; 2 seater sofa and breakfast table. There is electric underfloor heating downstairs and a small electric radiator upstairs. It looks out to the South West enjoying the sunrise and onto the horse shelter and paddocks.
  
  Your FOOD budget is 45€ per person per week, when doing tasks 5hours per day/25 hours per week (we will provide washing up liquid etc, and condiments-salt and pepper etc).
  FOOD WILL NOT BE INCLUDED IF THERE ARE TWO OF YOU HOUSESITTING AS THE HELP REQUIRED IS ONLY 1hr each per day.
  
  HOUSESITTING: When housesitting you will be staying in the Pigeonnier when you first arrive and then when we leave, you can decide to move into the en-suite Guest Room in our main house; Shadow will sleep in the house.
  
  WORKAWAY: You will be staying in our Pigeonnier; Breakfast and lunch can be enjoyed at your leisure (whilst I will be busy helping the children get ready and off to school in the mornings and working partly in the day). However, we can enjoy and share a couple of evening meals , creating meals for each other; (Our evenings vary due to the children’s after-school activities).

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  Autres infos...

  We are looking for a non-smoking couple or friends who respects nature, loves the outdoors, who are calm and patient around animals, especially the horses and enjoys outdoor work!
  
  TRANSPORT is essential as we are not within walking distance to the local shops and tourism, unless you are happy to stay local during your time off. We could collect-drop you from/to our nearest train station (Bergerac). You are welcome to use our bicycles to get around and explore the quiet country lanes and to get to the local villages; Issigeac, Villeréal or Castillonnès (10km with some hills)
  
  Our nearest airport is BERGERAC AIRPORT for flights to/from U.K, Netherlands and Belguim (20mins drive from our house) and BORDEAUX for international flights with train links to BERGERAC (1h15mins train ride then 25mins drive to our house)
  
  Taxis are very few and far between.
  
  There are many attractions in this part of France if you have a car; visiting châteaux, wine tasting, hiking, canoeing, and many caves etc!

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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

  The Pigeonnier has a WIFI connection.

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  Espace pour garer des vans

  We have an off-road parking area next to the Pigeonnier for an average size camper, where you can hook up with electric. The Pigeonnier can also be used.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Deux

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