House Sitting Opens a Door to the Past for Retirees

Frank and Jane Robinson of Deception Bay (on the northern outskirts of Brisbane) have found a way to connect with their heritage through house sitting. Relative newcomers to house sitting, the Robinson’s were wanting to find a way to visit Jane’s homeland of Scotland without the financial worry.

We have been talking to a couple about a sit early in November on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland Australia. During discussion with them, we found out that one of their nearest friends is an ex member of the Air Force -- whom I knew in Darwin in 1963 and haven’t seen since then. Now we will have a reunion to look forward to, as well.

(PRWEB) October 11, 2005 -- Frank and Jane Robinson of Deception Bay (on the northern outskirts of Brisbane) have found a way to connect with their heritage through house sitting. Relative newcomers to house sitting, the Robinson’s were wanting to find a way to visit Jane’s homeland of Scotland without the financial worry.

“My wife and I were planning a nine-month holiday to Europe and Scotland (my wife’s home country) and decided to join HouseCarers -- with the hope of getting some house sits in Scotland -- as a means of helping defray some of the accommodation costs,” Frank Robinson reports.

The Robinsons were able to find house sits, and were thrilled to be in Scotland. “Our initial base on Scotland was on a property named Benarty House. The locale, approximately forty minutes from Edinburgh by rail and car, suited us fine. Once you have seen the scenery along the western coast of Scotland, it makes you want to see more. We do intend returning late next year.”

Frank Robinson recommends that house sitters sign up at least once to sit in Scotland. “I would recommend a visit to Scotland, and the north of England, to anyone thinking of heading in that direction. But bear in mind that Scotland and England are only a small part of what is an extremely interesting part of the world.”

Unbeknownst to the Robinsons, house sitting would also bring an old acquaintance back into their lives. “We have been talking to a couple about a sit early in November on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland Australia. During discussion with them, we found out that one of their nearest friends is an ex member of the Air Force -- whom I knew in Darwin in 1963 and haven’t seen since then. Now we will have a reunion to look forward to, as well.”

Frank and Jane Robinson are like many retirees who are finding that house sitting is the magic carpet that enables them to travel to various places in the world. With a grown daughter firmly settled in her life, the Robinsons plan to travel extensively while providing a much needed service to home owners. “We are hoping to sit about six to eight months a year. We will start looking for France and Spain early next year.”

When asked about being good house sitters, the Robinsons report that honesty and organization are key. “One of the main requirements is to be a completely honest and trustworthy person. You have to realize that you are in some other person's home, with all their personal belongings.” Frank and Jane Robinson always strive to leave things as they found them, and to always respect the home owner and their possessions. “You do need to have a fairly organized outlook.”

They also report that being flexible and able to cope with different environments is crucial to house sitting. “At our last sit we were some miles out of Maleny on a 27-acre avocado property -- which is not quite the same as sitting in the middle of suburbia with a cat on your knee.” The Robinson’s enjoyed their 18 day sit in Maleny, and made friends with the pet they were looking after. “The left us with an absolutely lovable Kelpie cross dog named Dizzy, a real sweetie.”

Frank and Jane Robinson are pleased with their experience as house sitters. “Ian's site (HouseCarers.com) is the only one at which we are registered as sitters. We are more that happy with responses to queries we have had -- and see no reason to change. Contact with owners is remarkably simple, and we have had two way contact without fail with all owners contacted.”

Contact:

Ian White
HouseCarers.com
61-2-99131844
http://www.HouseCarers.com

# # #