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Host rating
85 %
Last replied
29 Oct 2020
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Details
Description
I bought this restored cow barn in Basse Normandy in June 2019 and it is now my permanent home. It has 3 bedrooms and two bathrooms and is in the centre of what was an active farm, no more than a kilometre from the nearby village. A garden didn't really exist when I arrived - it was just about half an acre of rough grass, ferns, brambles and saplings. In the autumn, a local farmer helped to clear the saplings and brambles and I tackled anything left behind. I also began to establish a herbaceous border by planting annuals and then adding to them in the Spring. I also dug about 4 beds (originally full of large stones!) to make a 'potager' and planted all kinds of vegetables, mostly grown from seed. Now, in August, I realise I was too enthusiastic about planting 'haricot vert' - I am drowned in them but visitors and neighbours have helped eat them! The courgettes and squash are wandering all over the plot and tomatoes, fennel, beetroot, celery and salads are all doing well. I have a son and family in Paris who visit from time to time and a son and daughter who live in Sussex UK who also visit if they can. I am very self-sufficient but, at times, would very much like a strong helper to help with things in the garden or DIY projects (e.g. a pergola over the back terrace or stone steps down the garden). I am an artist and I speak Italian and English and am doing my best to speak French. If you would like to come here, I could help your spoken English and/or Italian and it would not be difficult for you to find classes in French in the nearby town of Flers. You would probably benefit from having a car or a bicycle so that you could explore the beautiful countryside. I am about 1 hour from the coast by car and, by train from Flers or Vire, about 2 hours from Paris. I could offer you board and lodging in return for some DIY help on the house and work in the garden.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Creating/ Cooking family meals
General Maintenance
Language practice
Art Projects
Help with Computers/ Internet
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
I am an artist. When I have time, I like drawing, painting and making characters from papier mache. I consider my house and my garden to be part of my creativity and I might spend time drawing, for example, architectural features inside an ancient church or an old industrial building or flowers or portraits from photographs. I speak Italian and English and am doing my best to speak French. If you would like to come here, I could help your spoken English and/or Italian and it would not be difficult for you to find classes in French in the nearby town of Flers. You would probably benefit from having a car or a bicycle so that you could explore the beautiful countryside. I am about 1 hour from the coast by car and, by train from Flers or Vire, about 2 hours from the coast or Paris.
Help
I am very self-sufficient but, at times, would very much like a strong student to help with things in the garden or little building projects (e.g. a pergola over the back terrace or stone steps down the garden). I am an artist and I speak Italian and English and am doing my best to speak French. If you would like to come here, I could help your spoken English and/or Italian and it would not be difficult for you to find classes in French in the nearby town of Flers. You would probably benefit from having a car or a bicycle so that you could explore the beautiful countryside. I am about 1 hour from the coast by car and, by train from Flers or Vire, about 2 hours from Paris. I could offer you board and lodging in return for some structural help on the house and in the garden.
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Italian: Fluent
French: BeginnerThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
I could offer you your own bedroom and family bathroom and perhaps we could share in the cooking in return for some DIY help on the house and help in the garden. I have excellent internet provision.
What else ...
There is a beautiful old abbey and a pottery museum in nearby villages and, further afield, the Bayeux tapestry and cathedrals in Caen and Rouen to name just two. Also, the Caen Memorial Museum and the Normandy beaches that featured in the Allied landings in 1944.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
How many Workawayers can stay?
One
Hours expected
Perhaps a couple of hours a day
Photos
