| return from France........... | for everyone |
Hope
you all had an excellent Easter, I had an unbelievably wonderful time
in France. I went back to work the day after I arrived home and it has
taken me another week to catch up with myself. 
The
situation in France is that my sister and her husband have gradually
bought up a row of tiny rural cottages situated in the heart of south
west France in the middle of no where. They are both now retired and
have finally relocated and are permanently resident in France. One end
of their building is totally renovated and they live there, the rest is
in various stages of neglect, decay and/or restoration. They also have a
large garden plus a small field, which is good, but to start with it
was all totally overgrown with brambles and trees, which was not so
good, they have cleared the land little by little. They grow as much of
their food as they can and hope at some point to be virtually self
sufficient in food. They both have health problems and in order to get
every thing done they take in 'helpers'. 
Apparently
there are websites that put helpers in touch with hosts and vice versa.
The deal is; the helpers commit to working a twenty five hour week
over a five day period and in return the hosts give free accommodation
and three good, home cooked meals per day plus weekends off. It seems to
be a mutually beneficial arrangement for those wanting to travel and
see the world on little or no money and those who like a rural life or
have undertaken large building projects and are unable to do all the
work themselves. 
While I was there I met a lovely Japanese lady called Natsumi who helped with the gardens and cooked authentic Japanese food. Then a couple of Scottish lads turned up and helped clear part of the field ready for ploughing and planting. As I was leaving a lady called Erica from Texas arrived, she was a little older than some of the helpers and I think she was about to take over household duties and give my sister a bit of a rest.
Just
before I arrived my sister had replied to an advert offering about 50
pond goldfish and various pond plants free to a good home. The lady who
placed the ad was closing down her pond and just wanted every thing
taken away. By the time I arrived my sister had put up a very old ( also
very big) childrens pool in her garden and relocated the contents of
this pond into it. I spent a large part of every day lazily walking
around the pond netting all the fry I could see. 
By
the end of my stay I had set up a nursery tank with over 40 fry, set up
a display tank with six of the prettiest adult fish and relocated a
couple of the fry to her small wild life ponds ( more ex-childrens
pools) because I noticed that the mosquito larvae was already beginning
to appear. I can't begin to tell you how utterly relaxing it was to have
nothing to do every day except listen to the birds, listen to the
frogs, wander around the grounds, eat well and spend hours every day
netting fish................ahhhhh bliss, can't wait to go back. 
I
have so many photos, I've already separated them into different folders
and I'll post them all over the next couple of days. I thought I would
be able to post something while i was there but her connection was very
slow and I didn't really get the chance..........too busy enjoying
myself.
16 Comments
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acousticeagle wrote on Apr 29, '11
It's
a great arrangement. Who wouldn't want to stay in a villa with
character in France for a room and board in exchange for a bit of work.
You'd get to meet a lot of new people too. Sounds great.
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dianahopeless wrote on Apr 26, '11
It
sounds as though you had the best of both worlds with your vacation to
France, and a great visit with your sister. And what a wonderful old
house. I see she too is a plant person, how great is that?!! Love all
the photos you've shared. :) Kinda wish I had been the older lady from
Texas. lol
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esoterika713 wrote on Apr 26, '11
By
the sounds of it you had a lovely time. I am glad. I have a fish tank
with five baby platy's. It is really cute to watch them eat.
:) |
forgetmenot525 wrote on Apr 26, '11
bennett1 said
 I'll do it!! Me, me!!!!! LOLLoretta, that sounds perfectly lovely and what a wonderful getaway for you!! 
this is the web site for helpers
http://www.helpx.net/hostlist.asp?page=2&search=gardening&host_region=328&host_state_id=&host_category=3&radio=exact&network=3 they are about half way down the page and listed as ID 4935 |
kathyinozarks wrote on Apr 26, '11
sounds awesome! what a neat arrangement too swapping help for food and lodging-I love that
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rosiefielding2 wrote on Apr 26, '11
What
a great way to get things done , loved your post and pics ,
France is one of my favorate places, I take my holidays
their.
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greenwytch wrote on Apr 26, '11
i'm so happy for you, having the opportunity to go visit sis and help her. but also, you were missed here. XO
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forgetmenot525 wrote on Apr 26, '11
thank
you ladies..............yes it was wonderful, Deb it was indeed total
bliss and yes Bennett it was exactly the get away I needed. Hi wendy,
yes I think the 'helper' scheme is pretty good, I hope to post the web
site for it as soon as I can relocate it ( blushing) seem to have
'mislaid' it it present. I just hope i'm forgiven for ignoring you all a
little longer..............I want to post as many of these photos as
possible
:-) nice to be back |
forgetmenot525 wrote on Apr 26, '11
First lot of photos
http://forgetmenot525.multiply.com/photos/album/291/France_The_House_and_Gardens |
I'll do it!! Me, me!!!!! LOL
Loretta, that sounds perfectly lovely and what a wonderful getaway for you!! |
greenwytch wrote on Apr 26, '11
your holiday sounds like sheer bliss. welcome back, Loretta!
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