Finding the Right Match whether you're a House Sitter or Home Owner

Beach Huts at Brighton Victoria - image by Kareen Fellows taken while house sitting in Port Phillip Bay Victoria

Mentoring Sessions

We have a wide range of experience when it comes to house sitting to share with you. If you would like to chat with us we offer mentoring sessions whether you are a house sitter or home owner. We charge $50 for a session. We'll help you get started in your journey as either a home owner looking for a sitter, or a sitter just starting out.

Are you thinking about house sitting? Where do you want to go, and what do you want to do? Maybe you fancy spending time in a waterfront house, or a home in the country? In the centre of the city? A tree house? At the top of the world? There is such a wide range of homes and pets that require house sitting.

Find the Right Match. We believe that the most important thing to do in house sitting, is to find the right match with that of the home owner. For instance, if you're a 'dog person' who adores dogs, then apply for house sits with dogs. If you don't like dogs, don't offer your services to mind one. Sounds like a no brainer doesn't it? And yet people we interviewed to house sit our own home, sarcastically remarked on home owners with 'fur babies' and now I see them advertising themselves as loving dog minders.

Our Home on Lake Serenity, Queensland

Then there are owners who don't want you to be away from the house for any time at all. Well there's no point in taking that on, if you want to sight see that is. However, if you're on the far north coast of Scotland and want to write a book, then that may be your dream home. This is where talking with your potential home owner, and finding if their needs will match yours. Find the best win-win you can. If you love lots of farm animals and are happy to spend a lot of time caring for them, apply, if not, don't.

There are so many homes to house sit, more than people to sit them. So go for that 'right match' and everyone will be happy.

Ballina - River Walk - Dog Beach

We took a path less travelled this trip, only a fluke really and in the process discovered a gorgeous dog beach on the side of the Richmond River in Ballina.

A wander down the riverside walk and you'll find some great sculptures.

And a tender reminder at the War Memorial to honour Vietnam Vets Day. Thinking of someone who served who is no longer with us. Heart-full moment.

Lennox Head Wanderings

The water was sparkling, and inviting, and it was so good to get out in the sun and thaw out. I'm sure the air had touches of icy wind direct from the Southern Ocean.

After a wander along the headland, Harper suggested we stop at The Point Cafe in the village. So we sat inside the cage lining the street due to current upgrades, and basked in the sun. Harper had her snacks from home, and I discovered that they have these delightful little lemon bites. No photo, they disappeared too quickly. Peanut for an elephant was suggested by the other half. Had to agree with him. Excellent suggestion Harper.

After our stop off, we continued the walk, following the track adjacent to the ocean. It winds all the way down from Lennox village to the Surf Club opposite the caravan park. The park is opposite Lake Ainsworth and there are a lot of nomads escaping the winter right now.

Lots of people were out after a rainy couple of days, it had felt more like we'd gone to the Blue Mountains, rather than lovely Lennox. Or maybe after living in Queensland, we've started to become accustomed to hotter weather.

Not a lot of people in the water, mostly the dedicated surfers.

We sat and listened to the band who were fabulous. It's a surf and people watching spot. One poor kid was very distraught after finding out that his favourite paddle pop was sold out, tears aplenty flowed with gusto. We had a little smile and commiserated with him. It was a cold day, and lots of people walking past carrying hot chips. So we decided to cave in and order some.

Artwork from The Kiosk Facebook Page

After waiting a half hour, with that tantalising hot chippy promise, we'd been called to the counter where we learned that the chip fryer had given up the ghost, and - and so no hot chippies. NO HOT CHIPPIES. And my mouth was really ready for some by then. Only our money back. Well we were in danger of repeating paddle pop guys performance. Sad tale I know. Last time I smile at a teary kid who has missed out on his favourite paddle pop. I also think I'll be kinder to sea gulls and share more.

The day was saved by The Blues Breakers playing some great tunes, need to find them again to have a dance next time. Harper had a sing a long with the band, and lovely sit in the sun.

Back Again in Lovely Lennox

Why does watching a dog fill you with happiness?

I don't know why hanging out with dogs makes us happy, but it sure does. How lucky are we? Back in Lennox again, hanging out with Harper. She is such a gorgeous dog, so loving, and it was really touching that she remembered us, and was excited to see us again.

We made the most of our time, and jumped - well we got out - of bed and drove down to watch the sunrise, and to take Harper for a walk.

It's just so worth it even on these chilly mornings when it's tempting to turn back over and snuggle under the doona. We used to live about where Kevin is with Harper - no not the ocean, the other side. No wonder we can't settle anywhere.

Blessed is the person who has earned the love of an old dog. Sydney Jeanne Seward

After weeks of rain, the weather took a turn for the better and we were so lucky to see the gorgeous sun come peeking out. We'd expected to be rained in all weekend after the forecast. I met little Pebbles all rugged up for the chilly morning, out with her dad, checking out the surf.

The sunrise is such a special time, it always delights, but this particular morning there was something even more magical to the day.

These amazing beams of light hit the sky and streamed across, and surfers were appearing out of everywhere to take advantage of the bright day, after so much rain.

The surfing comptetion for the girls was on, and I loved how this board stood out against the sky. Great to see so many girls out surfing.

The best surfer out there is the one having the most fun. Phil Edwards said that, I believe him, they sure looked like they were having a ball. Lots of old surfers watching. Wave crests were soaring with the wind. Surfs up.

We decided to try a bush walk to Killen Falls this time, unsure of what state the ground would be in after the deluge of rain we've had lately, we decided to check out the area. Is it just me or does it look like there is a figure in the light in this one?

As it turned out, while there were quite a few boggy parts, we found the walking pretty easy going.

Seemed like quite a lot of other locals decided to do the same thing too, and there were a group of young women taking selfies under the waterfall. The mum in me wanted to warn them about velocity and getting caught under the pressure of the water should they fall in, but I resisted the temptation.

If you're in the area, and like a bushwalk, it's relatively easy, and not far from the carpark. The steeper part of the walk down has a hand rail that some wonderful soul had thoughtfully built. It came in very handy with the slippery mud.

We saw a lot of people walking in, wearing thongs, oh well each to their own.

After the walk, I remembered Newrybar was close by so we headed there for some lunch, but missed the cafe by a mouse's whisker. I was tempted to buy these.

But the local antique shop was still open and we had a lovely browse, they are such treasure troves. You never know what you'll find.

Our last morning. I wandered down to Lennox early, Kevin had to go home before me, and so it was just me and Harper venturing out together. It made me realise that even when it looks like it's going to be a steely day, it's still worth checking to see if there is going to be some sun peeking through.

Lennox Headland

We're back in NSW in gorgeous Lennox Head, and wondering why we ever left really. People we've run into on our walks have said it isn't the same anymore, but watching sunrise while sitting at the headland, and taking Harper for her walks, it still looks pretty gorgeous to us.

After waking early this morning, I decided to hop in the car and go and watch the sunrise. A few years back I would sit in the front yard of the house we renting looking out at this view. It was a delight every day, just like today was.

It was a walk back down memory lane this moring. When we first lived on the beachfront, the locals all used to walk their dogs along the entire beach, and there were no restrictions.

I remembered how I'd walk at dawn, with my tiny 2.5kg malti/chi Xena keeping me company. There's something about watching the sunrise over the ocean, that just gets the day off to such a good start.

I love the way the light touches the horizon at sunrise, this morning there was a lemon yellow light as the sun peeked from behind the clouds.

Lovely Lennox - minding Harper

We've travelled down to mind the beautiful Harper, while her family are on an Easter getaway. She is a very lovely dog and has settled in well with us. She loves her walks and to have company.

And a play with her favourite footie, as well as a romp.

She's been having massage...

... and lots of walks around the neighbourhood.

We've seen more of Lennox walking with Harper than when we lived here.

Our favourite walk is always back along the boardwalk, listening to the ocean.

Harper's been hanging out for a surf, and we've been waiting for a sunny day to take her,

as Harper's mum and dad told us how much she loved running there and playing in the surf.

Watching how much she loved just looking at the sea, we were eager to give her a run on the beach.

In the end we realised there wasn't going to be anymore sun, so we waited for a break in the rain, to take her down.

And she loved it so much.

Seeing Lake Ainsworth still in flood after the recent disaster, was a stark reminder of the terrible flood recently in the area.

And another day comes to an end. Harper went home for a shower, a dry off and a lovely snooze. The end of a great stay.