Biscuit .... 8 months still growing and gorgeous With our TrustedHouseSitters from Melbourne, Australia safely settled in our home in BC, Canada it's off to the airport for the start of our summer house sitting adventure. We'll be away for about four months and the planning has been done with military precision, not sure what part of the military mind you, but precise nonetheless!
Having one assignment would have been brilliant, negates packing and unpacking and if you could see how we travel, you'd understand what a challenge we give ourselves. Wish I could master this “Travelling Light” just my lotions, potions and personal appliances enjoy a suitcase to themselves, well I am a female of the species. Consequently this summer, with five sits through www.trustedhousesitters.com spread across SE England and one in France, hubby and I could do with a mule train or our very own valet service.
A seasoned traveller I leave nothing to chance, where our comfort's concerned, on a long haul flight. Saving $$$'s house sitting, turning left on board the aircraft is an indulgence we CAN afford, although we'll often travel Club Class with a charter airline, if the deals are really good. The comfort level isn't the same as say, Singapore Air or Virgin Atlantic (huge price difference) chefs are more McDonald's than Michelin, so for me packing food is a must. This trip was no exception I prepared fresh salmon salads, crudites, fruit and a nut selection .... very five star. So did I have that “thank goodness” moment during the meal service? No, I'd left my gourmet delights on a table at Starbucks, in YVR, only to realise my mistake once we'd gone through security and air side ....... TOO LATE:((
Still had my PJ's though and wash bag ..... my one big tip, always change into something really comfortable once on board, you'll feel so much better wearing fresh clothes (and breath) on arrival.
Landed in London to brilliant weather picked up the hire car and headed for Hay on Wye in Herefordshire. This wasn't our first house sitting assignment, although I have house and pet sat in Hay, many times. We were going to visit friends for a few days.
It was Hay Festival week www.HAYFESTIVAL.ORG for those who've not discovered this amazing small Market Town it is THE second hand book capitol of the World, yes the World. This sleepy little town, with a population of just 1500 and 30 book shops, is invaded by upwards of 100.000 visitors over the 10 day festival. Many locals rent out their homes, moving into alternative accommodation, some choosing to camp, nice if the sun shines but remember this IS Wales!! This year the Festival celebrates it's 25 Anniversary. The Festival now travels the world bringing the joys and works of Poets, Children's Writers, Scientists, Novelists, Musicians, Historians, Daydreamers and Comedians to many who would otherwise miss experiencing the wonders of the literary world.
Our few days were glorious. Warm and joyful company, excellent food, wine and weather, even got John back onto the golf course, there's a really, good nine hole, course in , beautiful location surrounded by fields and streams with views to the Brecon Beacons. Unfortunately, the new owners have decided to turn it into their front “garden” locals and visitors will no longer have the pleasure of it's use, sad really.
Traveling around the English countryside is quite special this year with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations www.thediamondjubilee.org imminent , June 4th and 5th towns and villages have been decorated with buntings, flags and all things Royal. Shops and supermarkets have more Royal merchandise than China has Apple I Pads. Street parties have been planned, BBQ's, pubs and restaurants have Royal “Best of British” menus. If anyone was ever in doubt as to the “Royalness” of these Fair Isles the enthusiasm for all things Diamond render such thoughts redundant .....could also be the two day bank holiday making everyone happy!!
Welcome to Chippenham, Wiltshire, the location for our first www.trustedhousesitter.com assignment. Chippenham is about 2 hours due west of London along the M4 www.visitwiltshire.co.uk a pretty county with many historical places of interest, Stonehenge being one of the most famous. Our sit here is for two weeks and we're looking after the most gorgeous eight month old, Golden Retriever, called Biscuit he really is beautiful, I'm in love ..... again!!
So there you have it the beginning of our summer sitting adventure. From here we travel to the county of Suffolk, four hours East. We have Wimbledon and the Olympics to look forward to. A brilliant www.trustedhousesitters.com sit location in London, a real gem of a find. August will find us deep in the Champagne region of France, again through THS, sampling the very best it has to offer, in every way.
Yes it would have been nice having just one assignment and less living out of a suitcase but it wasn't to be. This way though, we have more variety, experiences and get to meet more wonderful people. It's been a logistical, planning challenge but one made as easy as it could be using www.trustedhousesitters.com in my view, and it's a very experienced view from both sides of house sitting, the BEST house sitting website on the World Wide Web.
Next instalment ...... Suffolk!
Having one assignment would have been brilliant, negates packing and unpacking and if you could see how we travel, you'd understand what a challenge we give ourselves. Wish I could master this “Travelling Light” just my lotions, potions and personal appliances enjoy a suitcase to themselves, well I am a female of the species. Consequently this summer, with five sits through www.trustedhousesitters.com spread across SE England and one in France, hubby and I could do with a mule train or our very own valet service.
A seasoned traveller I leave nothing to chance, where our comfort's concerned, on a long haul flight. Saving $$$'s house sitting, turning left on board the aircraft is an indulgence we CAN afford, although we'll often travel Club Class with a charter airline, if the deals are really good. The comfort level isn't the same as say, Singapore Air or Virgin Atlantic (huge price difference) chefs are more McDonald's than Michelin, so for me packing food is a must. This trip was no exception I prepared fresh salmon salads, crudites, fruit and a nut selection .... very five star. So did I have that “thank goodness” moment during the meal service? No, I'd left my gourmet delights on a table at Starbucks, in YVR, only to realise my mistake once we'd gone through security and air side ....... TOO LATE:((
Still had my PJ's though and wash bag ..... my one big tip, always change into something really comfortable once on board, you'll feel so much better wearing fresh clothes (and breath) on arrival.
Landed in London to brilliant weather picked up the hire car and headed for Hay on Wye in Herefordshire. This wasn't our first house sitting assignment, although I have house and pet sat in Hay, many times. We were going to visit friends for a few days.
It was Hay Festival week www.HAYFESTIVAL.ORG for those who've not discovered this amazing small Market Town it is THE second hand book capitol of the World, yes the World. This sleepy little town, with a population of just 1500 and 30 book shops, is invaded by upwards of 100.000 visitors over the 10 day festival. Many locals rent out their homes, moving into alternative accommodation, some choosing to camp, nice if the sun shines but remember this IS Wales!! This year the Festival celebrates it's 25 Anniversary. The Festival now travels the world bringing the joys and works of Poets, Children's Writers, Scientists, Novelists, Musicians, Historians, Daydreamers and Comedians to many who would otherwise miss experiencing the wonders of the literary world.
Our few days were glorious. Warm and joyful company, excellent food, wine and weather, even got John back onto the golf course, there's a really, good nine hole, course in , beautiful location surrounded by fields and streams with views to the Brecon Beacons. Unfortunately, the new owners have decided to turn it into their front “garden” locals and visitors will no longer have the pleasure of it's use, sad really.
Traveling around the English countryside is quite special this year with the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Celebrations www.thediamondjubilee.org imminent , June 4th and 5th towns and villages have been decorated with buntings, flags and all things Royal. Shops and supermarkets have more Royal merchandise than China has Apple I Pads. Street parties have been planned, BBQ's, pubs and restaurants have Royal “Best of British” menus. If anyone was ever in doubt as to the “Royalness” of these Fair Isles the enthusiasm for all things Diamond render such thoughts redundant .....could also be the two day bank holiday making everyone happy!!
Welcome to Chippenham, Wiltshire, the location for our first www.trustedhousesitter.com assignment. Chippenham is about 2 hours due west of London along the M4 www.visitwiltshire.co.uk a pretty county with many historical places of interest, Stonehenge being one of the most famous. Our sit here is for two weeks and we're looking after the most gorgeous eight month old, Golden Retriever, called Biscuit he really is beautiful, I'm in love ..... again!!
So there you have it the beginning of our summer sitting adventure. From here we travel to the county of Suffolk, four hours East. We have Wimbledon and the Olympics to look forward to. A brilliant www.trustedhousesitters.com sit location in London, a real gem of a find. August will find us deep in the Champagne region of France, again through THS, sampling the very best it has to offer, in every way.
Yes it would have been nice having just one assignment and less living out of a suitcase but it wasn't to be. This way though, we have more variety, experiences and get to meet more wonderful people. It's been a logistical, planning challenge but one made as easy as it could be using www.trustedhousesitters.com in my view, and it's a very experienced view from both sides of house sitting, the BEST house sitting website on the World Wide Web.
Next instalment ...... Suffolk!
