Enjoying the outdoors as a volunteer at La Giraudiere

Posted on July 12, 2016 by La Giraudiere

Enjoying the outdoors as a volunteer at La Giraudiere

For some volunteers, their stay at La Giraudiere offers a chance to work outdoors in the beautiful countryside of Brossac. For those normally stuck in an office or studying at university, this is a great opportunity to try their hand at a range of activities they wouldn’t do on a day to day basis. La Giraudiere has a lot of land and there is always pruning, mowing, hedge trimming, whipper snipping, gardening, tree trimming and general yard tidying to do. Last week there was a lot of effort devoted to the garden/yard tidy up. A familiar sound is the whipper snipper going non-stop and someone calling out “where are the loppers”. With volunteers from a range of countries, there is lot of discussion about what the various tools are called.

Odile from Ireland and Emily from the UK did a massive prune with the loppers. Big job.

Enjoying the outdoors as a volunteer at La Giraudiere is not confined to gardening only but as the garden is a priority at the moment, the volunteers are focussing on getting that done before moving on to other things. Roses are blooming and a bit more wisteria appears each day and as we sit outside having all of our meals, we can pat ourselves on the back for a job well done. Some of the volunteers are beginning to sport sun tans from their time in the sun. It is amazingly cool under the shady trees so quite pleasant for working.

Elena from Russia gets into the clearing up in the yard.

Odile did a lot of work in the garden and sadly it was time to say goodbye today. Back to Ireland. She is missed already.

Odile did a lot of work in the garden and sadly it was time to say goodbye. Back to Ireland. She is missed already.

Once the work day has finished, some of the volunteers can been seen Enjoying the outdoors as a volunteer at La Giraudiere by taking a walk to the lake for a cool swim. It is a pleasant walk to the lake past fields of sleepy cows resting in the deep green, lush grass. The walk into Brossac is about a 10 minute stroll, past gorgeous stone houses and of all things a water lily pond which evokes memories of Monet’s garden and his famous painting “Waterlilies”.

Bruce with the whipper snipper. He has made a big impact.

Bruce from UK/China with the whipper snipper. He has made a big impact.

Posted in about La Giraudiere, Holiday with a difference, Learning French, vacation france, volunteer, Volunteering | Tagged Brossac, Chalais, cross cultural, Cultural Understanding, French countryside, La Giraudiere, volunteer in France, volunteer work abroad, working holiday | Comments Off

Learn French at La Giraudiere

Posted on July 7, 2016 by La Giraudiere

Learn French at La Giraudiere

A wonderful opportunity exists to Learn French at La Giraudiere or if you already have mastered some basic French to improve your skills. Currently 6 of the volunteers at La Giraudiere can speak French and are here to take their command of the language to higher level. As well as all volunteers having acess to French lessons by teachers who come to La Giraudiere each week, those involved in an internship have one on one intensive lessons several times a week. The weekly lessons are fun and you get to learn basic phrases and greetings. It’s amazing how a little French goes a long way and the locals appreciate an attempt to at least greet them in their language.

If you want to Learn French at La Giraudiere you couldn’t really find a better place to learn. It goes beyond having a lesson and then trying to remember what you have learned because you get lots of opportunities to practice on a day to day basis. A stay in Brossac provides contact with many local residents e.g. trips to the local supermarket, pharmacy, restaurants and tourism office will require you to have a little knowledge of French because the locals in these shops speak very little English. Besides it makes you feel good to be able to communicate even at a basic level rather than just pointing at what you want. The volunteers have lots of interaction also with the local community as they get involved in community events, assisting with the set up and running of the events and it is a lot of fun to converse with the locals and add enjoyment to the experience.

The best way to learn a language is to be immersed in an area where everyone is speaking the language and getting to hear the way words and phrases are pronounced. Paul, being a gregarious and generous host, likes to invite some of his local friends to dinner from time to time and having enjoyed such an occasion last evening it was fun to see all the volunteers communicating in French no matter at what level of skill.

As mentioned, Learn French at La Giraudiere and hear the language spoken all around you every day. Such a fun and enjoyable way to learn. Sitting outside in the beautiful French countryside has to be better than sitting in a class room don’t you agree?

Kathryn, intern from Scotland, taking her one on one intensive French lesson. Outdoors in the garden of La Giraudiere.

Group French lessons for all – loads of fun

Posted in about La Giraudiere, Internships, Learning French, Students, vacation france, volunteer, Volunteering | Tagged Brossac, communication, cultural exchange, Cultural Understanding, French, French countryside, French experience, French learning, French lessons, Internships, La Giraudiere, learning french, working holiday | Comments Off

Volunteers at La Giraudiere Brossac

Posted on July 7, 2016 by La Giraudiere

Volunteers at La Giraudiere Program

After 4 days of free time to do their own thing, the latest group of volunteers looked forward to Tuesday this week to fulfil their work commitment to the Volunteers at La Giraudiere Program. A list of tasks are proposed by Paul and volunteers are free to choose those tasks which suit their skills and capabilities. No-one is expected to do anything they feel they cannot do. Some may choose something they have not done before so as to learn some new skills. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday are working days. Paul works alongside the volunteers guiding and supervising. There are a variety of tasks to choose from such as gardening, hedge trimming, furniture repair, digging post holes, tidying up, housekeeping and computer work e.g. blogging and answering email enquiries.

Some of the more artistic have been able to express themselves by creating works of art from found objects all adding to the ambience of a country residence.

Odile creating an artistic piece of work to place in an outside area

Odile from Ireland creating an artistic piece of work to place in an outside area

Work days are very satisfying and there is a lot of camaraderie and support for each other. It is good to know that we are making a contribution to a wonderful place. For a holiday experience with a a variety of activities, nothing could be better than being one of the Volunteers at La Giraudiere Program.

After the chores are finished for the day around 4.30 there is plenty of time to take a walk to Lake Brossac and have a dip in the refreshing waters, sunbathe on the golden sand or have a nice cold beverage at the Clubhouse. Would you like to join us?

Brossac Lake, chores done for the day, perfect for a dip on the sunny days of summer

Golden sands perfect for sunbathing and getting that summer tan hapening

Golden sands perfect for sunbathing and getting that summer tan happening

Posted in about La Giraudiere, Holiday with a difference, vacation france, volunteer, Volunteering | Tagged abroad, cross cultural, French countryside, volunteer abroad, volunteer in France | Comments Off

Holiday with a difference – Brossac South Charente France

Posted on July 7, 2016 by La Giraudiere

Holiday with a difference in Brossac South Charente France

Looking for an opportunity for a holiday where you get to mix with the local community, live for a while with a mixed group of international friends, do some work to assist in the project which is in progress in France maybe do some renovation of a beautiful old country house and improve your French by attending the French lessons. Volunteer at La Giraudiere Brossac and you will experience all of this in an idyllic, peaceful location where the worries of the world just drift away into the ether.

Brossac South Charente France offers the best location in Charente. It is at the crossroads convenient to the Dordogne, Charente Maritime and Aquitaine – each no more than 15 minutes away. You can enjoy your time exploring the nature and history of Brossac and the South Charente while not missing out on the many day visits to the major destinations of Bordeaux, Cognac, St Emilion, Angouleme, Aubeterre and more! On first glance, Brossac Charente appears to be a sleepy little town with a few locals and an old roman church. You will very soon find a multinational population where you’ll overhear conversations from “locals” speaking French, Dutch, flemish and English – together planning local events and going about their daily business!

As a Volunteer at La Giraudiere Brossac you will have the opportunity for a Holiday with a difference in Brossac South Charente France. You will participate in a weekly French lesson and then go out and practise your new greetings with the locals. They are very receptive and help you out if you get stuck. Paul, the driver behind this amazing venture, provides lots of opportunities to attend local events, volunteer to assist the locals in setting up events and mingle with the community a much as possible. Fridays to Mondays are work-free for those who want to travel and see other places such as those mentioned above.

Last week Paul organised a BBQ for his current group of volunteers and invited members of the local community. The volunteers made a variety of salads and dishes of their choice and provided a delicious meal which was enjoyed by all, complemented of course with a variety of wines including pineau, a local delight.

Fun, laughter and good food - volunteers and locals Brossac Charente

Fun, laughter, good food and vino – volunteers and locals Brossac Charente

Being a Volunteer at La Giraudiere will certainly provide you with a Holiday with a difference in Brossac South Charente France. It will provide you with a unique opportunity to live like a local in the community as part of a big family of all ages and from a variety of countries around the world. It is a safe environment and you will have others to do things with if you like or you can do trips or country walks on your own if that is your preference. An experience not to be missed!

Paul enjoying the fun with Brossac locals and volunteers from UK, Australia and Ireland

Posted in about La Giraudiere, Community Event, Holiday with a difference, Learning French, vacation france, volunteer, Volunteering | Tagged Australian volunteer, community, cultural exchange, French countryside, holiday with a difference, Irish volunteer, learning french, volunteering, volunteers | Comments Off

Market Day Chalais

Posted on July 6, 2016 by La Giraudiere

Market Day in Chalais

Amongst the many fun things to do in SW France, the weekly markets are a must do. Brossac has a small market on Saturdays but the big one is held in Chalais on Mondays. Paul drops all the La Giraudiere volunteers off in Chalais, about a 15 minute drive from Brossac and what a feast for the eyes and senses. There are meat stands, seafood, bread, all manner of clothing, bedding (beautiful quilts), colourful baskets, books, plants, jewellery and much more. Lots of interesting things to buy on Market Day in Chalais.

Carmel Australian volunteer and Odile from Ireland with the bread and herbs purchased at the market.

In the square stands the English teahouse and this is a good place to have a cuppa or cafe au lait or a beer if this is your choice, sit under the big shady trees and have a chat with whomever happens to be at the next table. We have met a lot of interesting people, all travellers and those who have chosen to live in the French countryside for various reasons. Everyone is so friendly and all seem to be in a holiday mood. Much discussion about Brexit and speculation as to how it may all roll out. After a couple of weeks at La Giraudiere we were bumping into everyone we had met in Brossac and feeling like locals. Everyone has a good time on Market Day in Chalais.

Herbs to be planted in the garden at La Giraudiere

The train station at Chalais is a gateway to lots of interesting towns for those who want to travel around the countryside. Last weekend some of the volunteers headed off to Bordeaux and others to Angouleme. Angouleme is an interesting place to visit and has a really good museum with handsets which give a commentary in English for those whose French is at beginner standard. A couple of us who had got the train back to Chalais from Angouleme were sitting under the trees relaxing and chatting and it wasn’t long before the other volunteers spied us and we all got together to compare travel stories and show each other our purchases. The group who went to Bordeaux really enjoyed the city atmosphere and a tour of the wine museum.

The volunteers meet up for coffee and sharing stories of their weekend jaunts

Posted in about La Giraudiere, French Markets, Holiday with a difference, Learning French, Time out, vacation france, volunteer, Volunteering | Tagged Brossac, community, cultural exchange, Cultural Understanding, French countryside, La Giraudiere, Markets in France, volunteer in France, volunteer work abroad, working holiday | Comments Off

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