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Host rating
100 %
Last replied
16 Jun 2024
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Usually responds within 34 days
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Details
Description
We are Tina and James and we have taken early retirement to live in France and rent a large farmhouse out in the summer. We have two houses and 5 hectares of land that we need need help maintaining. We live here with our two friendly dogs in a small village in a beautiful Normandy valley. Our 21 year old son is also with us for the summer so you will have someone younger to chat to!
We are friendly and used to working with students as James was a language teacher for 30 years and Tina worked with international and Erasmus students in a small university in the UK. James speaks English, Spanish and some German and Italian. Tina speaks English and French.
We love entertaining and cooking for people and we enjoy art, films, music, culture and travel.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Help around the house
General Maintenance
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
You will be able to practice both English and French. All our neighbours are French and very friendly if you want to practice with other people.
You will gain practical skills such as gardening and vegetable growing, building maintenance and renovation.
We take our workaways to the beach, markets, cinema, local musical events and other places of interest depending on your interests.
Help
We are looking for someone who is willing to help around our property in rural Normandy, France. We have 5 hectares of land so willingness to work outside at times is essential. This includes; pruning, cutting wood for fires, mowing grass and weeding. We have a range of garden machinery for you to use after training such as ride on mower, hedge trimmers, rotivator, etc.
We also have many small DIY jobs inside such as sanding and painting furniture, moving furniture or equipment, painting window frames and small renovation work, nothing structural. Experience is useful but a willingness to learn is more important.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Fluent
German: Intermediate
Spanish: Intermediate
Italian: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
James was a language teacher in secondary schools for 30 years teaching French, Spanish and German. More recently he gained a CELTA qualification to teach English as a foreign language to international students entering university at masters level.
Accommodation
You will have your own room and bathroom in a large two bedroom apartment with a salon/kitchen, double bedroom, shower room. We provide all meals with us but understand you may want some personal time so having you own space gives you the option for privacy in your free time or to prepare your own meals. We love all types of cuisine and look forward to exchanging recipes and if you can cook it would be a bonus.
What else ...
We are 6 km from the nearest town, Gavray but we do have a bar and restaurant in the village but no shops. We have bikes for you to use and we will be happy to take you on regular days out to see the area if you do not have your own transport. There is no public transport from the village. We are 20 minutes by car from the nearest beach. We are surrounded by beautiful countryside for walking, running or cycling. The area is also full of history and places to visit such as Mont St Michel, the Normandy landing beaches. Nearby towns of Coutances, Villedieu and Granville have shops, cinemas, swimming pools and bars and restaurants. We go at least once a week on a shopping trip to Coutances.
We retired early last year and moved from England to live in France. We have two very friendly dogs. We have both worked in education and universities until our move to France. We run a large farmhouse gite in the summer months and help on a Saturday is appreciated.
If you have your own car we have plenty of parking.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
We have a large courtyard to park campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 3-4 days a week
Feedback (2)
Johanna is a very hard worker and and very pleasant company. She also has excellent English language skills. We can… read more
She showed an… read more
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Feedback
These are extra optional ratings when members leave feedback. The average rating left for each option is displayed.
Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(4.5)
Communication:
(5.0)
Johanna is a very hard worker and and very pleasant company. She also has excellent English language skills. We can… read more
She showed an… read more
I saw a tremendous amount of the beautiful surroundings. I was able to work on my French and English during these 2 weeks.
The walks in the morning with the dogs were a nice way to start the day.… read more
