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Last replied
29 Jan 2024
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Description
Hello ! ... I'm David.
A mature english guy who has discovered a serene paradise here in the forest hills of the Massif des Maures in the south of France.
IMPORTANT UPDATE : May, 2023 :
The house shown in here in the photographs is currently for sale and most of the heavy furniture has already been moved to my new house.
I'm looking for helpers to organise and pack smaller household items and load onto trailers which I will then drive to my new house. The work is straightforward and varied...and you will have plenty of spare time to explore the beautiful surroundings. There is a lake and the small mountain/rock of Roquebrune-sur-Argens 5 km away which makes a nice daytrip. Or you can take the bus from Roquebrune to Frejus/Saint Raphael and the famous Cote d'Azur beaches for just €1,50.
In addition to helping here you may be asked to help out at the new house which is one hours drive away, (I will collect you and bring you back to the old house).
This is 4.5 hours work per day/ 5 days per week, in exchange for your accommodation, food and drinks including moderate amounts of wine and beer
While staying at the house you will be organising and cooking your own meals, but I will provide you with food and moderate amounts of wine/ beer/ drinks, etc. There is no fridge, but an ice-box so a lot of the food is geared towards tinned fish/meat and food that does not require a fridge...but a wide variety of choices.
You will have your own private-sphere accommodation directltly in the house. This accommodation is limited to 2 places for singles or couples....and is offered on a first-come-first serve basis.
The tiny stone cottage is situated 200 meters up in the peaceful forest with stunning views. I am 3.5 kilometers from the town of Roquebrune-sur-Argens.
The property is rustical and off-grid, therfore...I have a limited supply of solar powered electricity - please note : internet access is limited. The water supply is via tanks supplied by the village water supply, (sometimes the water has algae and harmless microscopic water bugs due to ultra violet light) and is fine for showering and washing the dishes. Fresh drinking water is supplied in special cannisters but I do not have running water.
There is a cold water shower in the house and a garden solar shower comprising of black solar water canisters which get hot by the afternoon. It's a Robinson Crusoe adventure style shower in the middle of nature !
Staying at the house is very much a back-to-basics experience and perhaps not suitable for everyone, but if you love nature and the outdoors and have a sense of humour it will be a wonderful experience, (as you can see by the feedback).
Wifi is unreliable here. I have a live-box connected to the landline, but the landline often breaks due to falling branches etc and often takes weeks to repair after it has been reported. If you are reliant on internet you will need mobile data !
I never ask you to help more than 4,5 hours a day, (this does not include cooking meals and washing up).
PLEASE NOTE : I have had problems regarding consumption of alcohol which has sometimes spoiled the atmosphere for the other workawayers who drink in moderation !!!
Alcohol is provided in moderate amounts, (enough for everyone to enjoy one or two glasses of wine or beer with the evening meal).
A reasonable level of english, (enough for basic conversation) is important.
And because it's more fun for both sides to know what to expect here's a guide to whether or not you will fit in with staying here and the type of work :
I'm living in the middle of nature. Here are not just beautiful lizards, birds and butterflies, but also mosquitos and bugs, mice and rats. All these animals are part of the normal life in houses in the countryside. Keeping the rooms clean and the food mouse-safe gives them less of a reason to pay us a visit ;)
I'm living a simple and basic off-grid lifestyle, so you will definitely be stepping outside your comfort zone !
Living here and being able to enjoy the peace of nature also means that there are no local shops, cafes etc. close by. The nearest town supermarket or bar/cafe is an hours walk away.
I tend to buy seasonal fruit and vegetables and special offer food that is close to its sell by date. It's a great way not to waste food and to try something new. There is always plenty of food you can choose from but it helps a lot if you are not a fussy eater and enjoy any kind of food.
Please ensure you have full medical travel insurance, it's for your own good and your responsibility.
PLEASE NOTE : due to limited accommodation it is essential that you provide me with accurate arrival/ leave dates and that you really do turn up !!! Places are reserved on a first-come-first-serve basis and in the summer time I book up quickly !
I suggest that 2-3 weeks is an ideal time for you to share here and will give you a good opportunity to explore the surroundings. Of course you are welcome to stay longer if no other workawayers are arriving.
To get here you will have to make your way to Saint Raphael and then take a local bus, (no 4) to Garillans bus-stop on the outskirts of Roquebrune-sur-Argens. I will collect you from there.
I look forward to welcoming you !!!
David.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I am easy going and offer you a fun time.... a healthy mixture of work, pleasure and relaxation in a very beautiful location.
During your free time and on your days off you can take a bus, (which costs just €1.50 per journey) and explore the amazing Cote d'Azur coastline which is approximately 12km from away.
Help
Please see the main descrition.
Also, I am looking for guidance and supervision regarding sport.
Languages spoken
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Accommodation
I have some small modern one-man tents provided with proper matresses to sleep on.
Also a small, (but very modern/ comfortable caravan, (called a clip-car) in the garden.
What else ...
There's lots to see and do on the Cote d'Azur, not to mention the beautiful inland countyside of the Provence.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
Please Note !....internet access is limited and not reliable, so you will have to provide your own mobile data just in case.
Space for parking camper vans
I have roadside parking.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4.5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (29)
Duzgun is the best workawayer I have ever hosted. He is my favourite !
He is very polite, respectful and was always willing to help.
He stayed with me for 6 weeks and we became very good friends.
He is an all-rounder...helped with small plumbing jobs, painting, replacing plasterboard, fitting locks,… read more
Thank you!
Unfortunately, she could only stay for 2 weeks and due to coronavirus the 2 weeks were spent in isolation at our house.
I called by regularly and brought food with me, (but she hardly eats anything !).
At first she was very afraid of staying at the house on her own. I tried to find last minute… read more
I spent some very pleasant weeks in Roquebrune !!
I would like to thank them for… read more
Photos
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(4.6)
Cultural exchange:
(4.6)
Communication:
(4.9)
Duzgun is the best workawayer I have ever hosted. He is my favourite !
He is very polite, respectful and was always willing to help.
He stayed with me for 6 weeks and we became very good friends.
He is an all-rounder...helped with small plumbing jobs, painting, replacing plasterboard, fitting locks,… read more
Thank you!
Unfortunately, she could only stay for 2 weeks and due to coronavirus the 2 weeks were spent in isolation at our house.
I called by regularly and brought food with me, (but she hardly eats anything !).
At first she was very afraid of staying at the house on her own. I tried to find last minute… read more
I spent some very pleasant weeks in Roquebrune !!
I would like to thank them for… read more
She stayed at our house along with 3 other workawayers, (Facundo, Braian and Ellen).
She originally wanted to stay with us for the whole of August, but told us that the 2 boys Facundo and Braian had stolen her heart and she was going to… read more
Although we did not really get to know her we can verify that she is down to earth, uncomplicated, flexible and trustworthy, (the most important qualities for us !!!).
She worked well as part of a team… read more
Because of corona, David and Jürgen… read more
Muchas gracias por todo!
He fitted in with all the others and was very popular within the team. His positive attitude affected them and induced a perfect… read more
She excels when it comes to tidying and organising and her wonderful (british> Downton Abbey ) english accent is… read more
I stayed at their new house in Clavier and helped to renovate and clean the house there and also I did some gardening. I met other workawayers (had some pretty fun cooking evenings with them), befriended their cat Dottie and went hiking with the others in Roquebrune.
He has a quiet personality, (which I much prefer to loud extroverts who show off and brag all the time).
His level of english was good and we had some interesting discussions.
We hope to see him again next year !
Thanks Danny !
Also, he did a great job organising our workshop area and one evening… read more
I lived in the appartment they have in the village and they gave me a lot of private time for myself.
Also you are very free in organising and doing a project there and they are… read more
We felt very comfortable and relaxed in his company. He has a really nice personality, is intelligent and polite, (and a real francophile !)
He helped us move furniture to our new house and other mundane jobs, but never complained and always had a cheerful attitude.
His… read more
The house (with electrogen engine for electricity and deposit water instead of water supply) works perfect, internet in the evenings. They have bicycles, so you can get to town in a downhill of 4 km in 5 minutes, a real rolacouster.
To come to Jurgen’s and David’s you… read more
She is mature for her young age and very competent. She has a great sense of humour and at the same time intelligent and capable of lively debate.
She helped us with many tasks, including cutting down branches and even the very mundane jobs that nobody likes...such as cleaning floors etc. She was always willing… read more
We would describe them as constructive dreamers...which is a huge compliment.
They are not afraid of hard work outdoors in cold weather and dug a huge circular bonfire place in our garden surrounded by a lovely stone circle and very… read more
The only thing we'd note is the big consumption of plastic, chemistry products and the mess around the garden. But workwayers are welcome to help on that and to propose new projects ! We felt really free… read more
I stayed in a small appartment in the pittoresque town of Roquebrune-sur-Argens and I usually walked up to David and Jurgen's place. Then I would work on… read more
denkt mit. Die Leichtigkeit mit der sie Aufgaben anpackt gleicht einer lebensfrohen jungen Frau die in die Luft springt um im Flug noch drei Äpfel zu pflücken und… read more
Together with Ines, another Workawayer, and me tidied up around the area and it was cool to see the changed… read more
He was a perfect balance of serious,intellectual conversations and some serious laughing !
He suggested that we could do with a second toilet, (dry-sawdust) and first he drew his own personal design which was very impressive. Within 3 days he had the whole structure finished and in place on a… read more
My hosts… read more
Everyday was full of new adventure and wonderful… read more
A creative genius and multi-talent.
Dominic has excellent sense of humour and is very witty. Be prepared to laugh a lot !!!
He is very hard working and always enthusiastic. In his own words, "there are only solutions to problems"
...and he solves all problems in a most creative way.
He… read more
Marek is physically very strong and dug a huge hole in our stony earth where we are now in the process of building… read more
We had a great time when he stayed with us and he was always willing to help out, regardless of what the job involved.
He is not afraid of hard physical work and is great when it comes to socialising.
Thanks Nick for all your help. We hope to see you again one day !
Thanks again… read more
We have exactly the same sense of humour and helped each other and had so much fun. He helped me with spanish and I helped him with english, including reading part of a book together which was great fun.
He is an extremely talented… read more
He took care of everything, including looking after the house, feeding our cats, (although I don't think he is a cat lover) and doing all the other daily chores around the… read more
The village of Roquebrune sur Argens is extremely friendly with plenty of beautiful sights to see. The food was delicious and I enjoyed having interesting conversations with both hosts about shared hobbies and a wide range of… read more
He also helped us get some very rusty bicycles back in a fit state in no time at all.
He had a positive attitude and always made us laugh with his crazy humour !
He… read more
He helped us mainly by cutting bushes and removing the roots of shrubs, (to prevent the hazard of forest fire). It was hard work and he did an immaculate job, even clearing every single bush growing on a near vertical rock on which our house stands. He worked very well, often on… read more
I was very free in my working shedule And always had enough Time to Explore The Area And beautiful coast.
I enjoyed The evenings with you Talking and laughing, i had The best fun!
I would recommend everybody to Visit you And get to Know you… read more
She made some excellent changes, including repositioning our sofa and dinning table which was a huge improvement. She transformed our apartment and made it very homely and cosy....and she did it all on her own !
She is very reliable and can be trusted to… read more
We could not have wished for a better person.
He is highly intelligent, sensitive and laid back, (calm). These chatacteristics are exactly what we were looking for.
His ideas for methods of cutting and transporting our cut bushes/trees transformed our pace of work and made us much… read more
