Wissington Way, UK - Oct 2023

 

Our new view

We had time to squeeze in a ten day sit before it was time for us to leave the country.  We chose, and were chosen for, a housesit in Constable Country.  We were all set to enjoy the company of mother and daughter duo Crumble and Rhubarb.

Mother Crumble

Daughter Rhubarb

These two treasures were such good company and so much fun.  They were also very lovely with their cat brother and sisters Flashy, Dizzy and Dora.

We had lots of fun out in the surrounding fields with the dogs.  Chasing rabbits and generally running amok!

We were delighted to find mushrooms in the fields which we were happy enough to transfer to our stomachs.

The weather was starting to turn cold but the days were still warm enough to enjoy the outdoors.  We saw lots of deer on our ramblings with the dogs and even had one crash into the car when we were slowly making our way up the lane one day.  It ran away immediately so clearly wasn't injured and fortunately didn't damage the car.

We just love it when the dogs and cats enjoy each
other's company

Come night time, we were all happy to snuggle up indoors in front of the fire.

Nawww, so adorable!

Family fun, UK Sep/Oct 2023

 

Arriving in the UK mid August and the weather was still delightful.  First stop .... family in Bury St Edmunds.  We had fun babysitting the great nephews, Axel and Kai.

We also had the privilege of attending an art exhibition of one of James' old rugby team mates who he hadn't seen in thirty odd years!  It's always a bonus when you actually like their art.

Dan Emery, Artist

Next stop was Papworth St Agnes.  This is the fourth time we have been to stay with this adorable family of lurchers.

From back L to R: Hettie, Finn, Max
Front: Jake

The first time we sat for them the pups (we still call them that!), Finn and Jake, were 16mths.  They are now seven.  We totally feel like part of their pack.

The guy with the treat bag is always
'The leader of the pack'

We have never done this sit in autumn before.  We are usually here in spring so it was quite different walking the doglets in the bare fields this time.  Normally the fields are full of crops much taller than the dogs.

The weather was super dry and poor Hettie had quite some trouble trying to find her usual swimming holes.

Spot the dog

Resorting to sitting water in the 
tractor tracks

We did quite a bit of gardening when it was cool enough to be outside.

And quite a bit of eating!  

Fresh pigeon breast with field mushrooms
picked during doggy walk

The lurchers love chicken and when we roast one, we have a couple of meals and the rest goes into a stock pot in the aga where the bones break down and they enjoy it poured over their dried food.

Clare had dehydrated and packed some of her sourdough starter to reactivate when we arrived.  It turned into a bit more of a process than anticipated, but it finally came good.

Sourdough burger buns

Double chocolate sourdough loaf

Not the best loaf but the good thing about sourdough
is that it always tastes fantastic!

When we're not out walking the fields or playing in the yard ... 

We always leave plenty of time for relaxing with the doglets.

Father and son

No class going on here!

There is always a knee to be found

Awww, Finn

No room for a human in the bed, let alone two!!

We love these guys so much.

Whakatane - July/Aug 2023

 

Ohiwa Harbour entrance, in all her beauty

Arriving back in Whakatane, our home away from home, we just had time to catch up with friends, romp with their dogs on the beach and recycle our gear in the van to fit with the next few weeks of housesitting as we got ready to leave New Zealand for six months.

Our first housesit was at Ohope Beach where we would care for a gorgeous gaggle of two dogs and two cats.

Knox watching dogs Bumble and Cooper with
Sunday in the background, ignoring all

We loved the dynamics of them all, being totally relaxed around each other.  This is not always the case when cats and dogs mix in the same household.

Both cats would come for our morning walks around the harbour with the dogs, sometime requiring us to double back the way we came so that we didn't end up roadside with a cat in tow.

We romped around the beach and Ohiwa Harbour every afternoon enjoying the sunshine and the dogs pure joy at being out and about.

We were all equally happy to hang around the lovely house.

The two gingers

We had a week between sits so decided to lax out at the bach in Whanarua Bay.

One of our favourite views from the front door

We didn't get out in the kayak but caught more than enough fish off the beach.

 

It was great to be able to take an old mate fishing too

Next stop was our last New Zealand house sit for a while on the outskirts of Whakatane.  From here we could see the Ohiwa Harbour where we were walking the dogs from our last housesit!

We were charged with looking after Coco and Gypsy on a large block of sheep and five cows.

James and Coco connecting

Gypsy engaging in her own way

Each day consisted of a lot of relaxing around a walk to the gate and back, which was quite a way and took longer than it should with slow-coach Coco in tow.  Not to worry, we have plenty of time.

The cows were always curious to know what we
were all up to

You ain't seen me, right

Our walks to the gate were important for keeping an eye on the stock also.  One day we discovered a lamb had been born and its mother didn't want to know it.  We carried it home and nekminit we have found someone, through the home owners, to come and take it for hand rearing where it would become a pet lamb at one of the local schools.

Bruce's new mummy

We were visited by the neighbour's dogs on more than one occasion.

Play dates!

Clare continued to make yummy bread.

Focaccia for a friends birthday

And James went out on a few metal dectecting jaunts.

Then there was always plenty of time in the evenings for a snuggle with the doggos

The sun continued to shine and the sunsets were amazing.

Next stop ............ The UK!