Join in the outdoors and learn about self-sufficiency in the Ardenne, Belgium

Infos

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  Description

  I live in a little paradise near Gedinne, on the French border, surrounded by forests and meadows. Animals, flowers, and trees surround me all year round. It’s the perfect place for nature lovers. I strive for self-sufficiency, so I devote myself fully to this goal and I am almost completely autonomous.
  
  I am a certified herbalist, a French cuisine chef, a biodynamic farmer, a carpenter, and a teacher of wild and edible plants. I produce medicinal and aromatic herbs, herbal teas, soap, I cook, cut wood, build tiny houses, and I have countless ideas and ongoing learning projects. I love pottery, reading, sharing my knowledge, discovering new things, and exchanging with others. I don’t own a television and I don’t smoke.
  
  My interest in culture led me to travel around the world for one year, seeking meaningful encounters, traditional ways of life, and enriching exchanges. I speak fluent French and English, and a little Dutch.
  
  Since I work part-time outside my property, I am supported by Ariane and Pierre, a dynamic and creative couple in their fifties, who help welcome volunteers. You will therefore share some activities with them from Friday to Sunday. After raising their three boys and developing their garage business, they now aspire to reconnect with nature and human relationships, and they care deeply about nurturing life. Their energy and good mood are contagious.
  
  Your stay with me will be a pleasant and enriching experience in direct contact with nature.
  Looking forward to meeting you,
  Antoine, Ariane, and Pierre.

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  Types d'aide et opportunités d'apprendre

  Aide avec des éco-projets

  Jardinage

  Bricolage et construction

  Aide dans une ferme

  Entretien général
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  Centres d’intérêt

  

  Dev. personnel

  

  Ferme

  

  Végétarien ou végan

  

  Dev. durable

  

  Dessin et peinture

  

  Art et design

  

  Livres

  

  Bricolage / artisanat

  

  Soin des plantes

  

  Cuisine et alimentation

  

  Jardinage

  

  Camping

  

  Nature

  

  Activités en plein air
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  Objectifs de développement durable de l’ONU que cet hôte essaie d'atteindre

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  Qu'est-ce que c'est ?
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  Echange culturel et opportunités d'apprendre

  A stay at my place is always an opportunity to learn and live many enriching experiences:
  -Through the exchange of knowledge about wildlife and plants, soap making, herbal teas, self-building, and autonomous living.
  -Through practical work by taking care of the property: pruning, planting, harvesting fruits, maintaining fences, huts, ponds, and caring for the sheep.
  -Through cultural and generational exchanges, and shared moments around the fire or during communal meals.
  -Through the occasional visit (on Sundays) of instructors who introduce us to various techniques by sharing their expertise.

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  Projets impliquant des enfants

  Ce projet peut impliquer des enfants. Pour en savoir plus, consultez nos directives et conseils ici.

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  Aide

  The next two available weeks for stays are from August 25th to September 1st, and from October 27th to November 3rd.
  
  I am looking for help with the general care of the property: pruning, planting, fruit harvesting, maintaining fences, huts, ponds, caring for the sheep, etc. The activities depend on the season.
  
  You should enjoy working outdoors in all kinds of weather and getting your hands in the soil. Some tasks will be done together, others independently.
  
  I ask for 5 hours of help per day, including meal preparation time, 5 days a week, for a stay of up to 1 week. Arrivals are only on Mondays. Thursday is a free rest day.

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  Langues parlées

  Anglais: Courant
  Français: Courant
  Hollandais: Débutant

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  Hébergement

  You will stay in a cabin located just a 5-minute walk from my place, which can accommodate up to 3 workawayers. It is also possible to stay with your own tent. If you come alone, you will likely have a pleasant experience with other workawayers.
  
  A wood stove is available to heat the cabin and create a cozy atmosphere. It's often a great opportunity to practice the art of making fire or to learn it for the first time 😉.
  You can enjoy outdoor hot showers thanks to collected rainwater, and I provide you with drinking water in a jar. There is very little electricity, so you’ll need to manage the battery according to your needs. It’s the perfect place to disconnect from the internet and reconnect with nature.
  
  Please bring ecological soap to help preserve the environment and its biodiversity. You will also need waterproof shoes and old work clothes.
  
  Depending on our schedules, some meals will be cooked and shared with me, with Ariane and Pierre, or among yourselves.
  The property is accessible by bus from Gedinne train station, on foot, or by hitchhiking. When possible, we can also come and pick you up by car.

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  Autres infos...

  From home, many trails would bring you to marvellous area, such as the Millennium tower (234 steps for a great view) or the beaver pound.
  By car or bike, you could also visit the local brewery, a hawkfarm, a bison ranch, middle-aged castle, the Hans cave, ...
  You are 10 minutes walking (1-2km) from a little shop, a pharmacy, a butchery and a bar. The next little town (Gedinne) is 6 km far away. There is a library, a tourist information center and free WiFi.

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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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  Espace pour garer des vans

  I have a lot of place, campervans and motorhomes are welcome to stay in the middle of nature.

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  Combien de volontaires pouvez-vous accueillir ?

  Plus de 2

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  Mes animaux

  

  Esmée

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