Hi Everyone,
We have just finished up our first house sit in Woodend,Vic and just started our second sit in Gin Gin, Qld.
Woodend was a nice cozy place we stayed for a month. We had 2 dogs to keep us company, and a cat that came inside long enough to eat.Outside on the farm there were about 9 horses, duck and chooks.It was still a bit cool, so they said to keep the wood fire going all the time.They had just finished having a wetter winter than usual. Plenty of water for them, but we were still cautious, as they were on rain tank only.
Next we flew to Gin Gin, Qld where we are caring for an elderly dog, 3 cats, fish, 2 baby chicks inside, and about 30 heritage chooks outside.Stay for a week more, then we are off to Beenleigh, Qld to care for rescued baby wallabies, 3 dogs and cats.
Would we recommend housesitting? Certainly !
We have found that travelling to our "new home" takes half of our allowed monthly budget. They have all provided a vehicle for us, but we pay for the petrol. We keep our spending of groceries to the bare necessities, as we cannot easily take anything with us. We have been very good at scouring bargains in stores. Store and generic is sooooo much cheaper, and generally tastes the same.
We do not try to see everything in the towns we are at. We do a small bit each day..weather permitting.Come back home and have a cuppa.
Internet service in Australia is not as good as Canada (sorry).
The place in Woodend, we were supposed to be able to use the internet there. For whatever reason..we couldn't. Every couple of days we drove 15 minutes to a hot spot, so we could connect for free. Afterall we still our properties in canada to manage..with the help of our great supers.
Downfall:
1.Having to fit our food in a fridge, where the homeowners have not cleared a spot.I do not like using other peoples half used bottles of mayonnaise, ketchup etc.
2.In short house sits, you generally eat the same meals.
3.Costs of travel to get there, and then leaving to go the next.
4. Pillows in all sizes and shapes
5. Possibly not having anywhere to go, if your sits do not line up.
I like that I have not found a place where I would like to live permanently.That makes the next place exciting to go to.
Living in the country...remote places...no one locks their cars or homes.
I haven't done that since I was a kid.
It is so great seeing how other average families live.They believe people are generally good and trustworthy, thus using a stranger to care for their home and pets.
I like seeing different ways people use resources.
This lady uses hollow pieces of wood, and plants vegetables (tomatoes) in them.
Being homeowners, mature, retired couple,with animal experience has been a great asset.
I can see us doing this for a few more years.
Generally go after long housesits with a few short ones sprinkled in.
We have just finished up our first house sit in Woodend,Vic and just started our second sit in Gin Gin, Qld.
Woodend was a nice cozy place we stayed for a month. We had 2 dogs to keep us company, and a cat that came inside long enough to eat.Outside on the farm there were about 9 horses, duck and chooks.It was still a bit cool, so they said to keep the wood fire going all the time.They had just finished having a wetter winter than usual. Plenty of water for them, but we were still cautious, as they were on rain tank only.
Next we flew to Gin Gin, Qld where we are caring for an elderly dog, 3 cats, fish, 2 baby chicks inside, and about 30 heritage chooks outside.Stay for a week more, then we are off to Beenleigh, Qld to care for rescued baby wallabies, 3 dogs and cats.
Would we recommend housesitting? Certainly !
We have found that travelling to our "new home" takes half of our allowed monthly budget. They have all provided a vehicle for us, but we pay for the petrol. We keep our spending of groceries to the bare necessities, as we cannot easily take anything with us. We have been very good at scouring bargains in stores. Store and generic is sooooo much cheaper, and generally tastes the same.
We do not try to see everything in the towns we are at. We do a small bit each day..weather permitting.Come back home and have a cuppa.
Internet service in Australia is not as good as Canada (sorry).
The place in Woodend, we were supposed to be able to use the internet there. For whatever reason..we couldn't. Every couple of days we drove 15 minutes to a hot spot, so we could connect for free. Afterall we still our properties in canada to manage..with the help of our great supers.
Downfall:
1.Having to fit our food in a fridge, where the homeowners have not cleared a spot.I do not like using other peoples half used bottles of mayonnaise, ketchup etc.
2.In short house sits, you generally eat the same meals.
3.Costs of travel to get there, and then leaving to go the next.
4. Pillows in all sizes and shapes
5. Possibly not having anywhere to go, if your sits do not line up.
I like that I have not found a place where I would like to live permanently.That makes the next place exciting to go to.
Living in the country...remote places...no one locks their cars or homes.
I haven't done that since I was a kid.
It is so great seeing how other average families live.They believe people are generally good and trustworthy, thus using a stranger to care for their home and pets.
I like seeing different ways people use resources.
This lady uses hollow pieces of wood, and plants vegetables (tomatoes) in them.
Being homeowners, mature, retired couple,with animal experience has been a great asset.
I can see us doing this for a few more years.
Generally go after long housesits with a few short ones sprinkled in.
