James & Clare, Coddiwomplers Inc

Sunday, 6 October 2019

Three short country sits - Sep/Oct 2019

Cumbrian sunset

Apart from all being rural sits, these three also had in common the fact that we could walk the dogs without leaving the properties (or in one case, on the forest next door). A rare and welcome treat!

Drybeck, Cumbria

Firstly, it was back up country to look after the farm whilst Louise and Stephen went to Scotland for a week break.

As usual Poppy and Reg were very pleased to see us ....

Not to mention Jeeves and Wooster ...

Introducing some of the other farm animals ....

The two tups, Aldburgh (Suffolk) & Keswick (Gotland)

Wee miniature Robbie, one of five horses

Teagan, one of the two Highland ponies, being nosy

Carrie, the (very pregnant) house cow

And a house chicken!!!!

Our week was dominated by the fact that three of the cows were due to calf during our watch. We woke up one morning to our first baby .... Nui, born without us even noticing ;-) First time mumma Beatrice was a natural and cared for him so beautifully.

James getting in there to spray the umbilical cord

The rest of the family have come to meet Nui

In between our midwifery duties we still found time to enjoy the woods with the doggies.

Setting off down the driveway on a walk

James and Poppy looking for, and finding,
native white clawed crayfish in the beck. Not
for eating, these little fellas, as they are near
extinction due to a larger introduced species
taking over their habitat

Finally, the day before we were due to leave, Carrie, the gorgeous Guernsey house cow gave birth to Cubby Chap Charlie.

Charlie's first stand ......

Now it is time to head to Scotland and then Yorkshire for six weeks,

We are going to miss these guys.

Hawick, Scotland

We love driving into Scotland. It reminds us so much of the New Zealand countryside. This was to be our first sit on the borders. We arrived at a property at the end of a country lane right next to the forest. This sit was to be a 'first' for us. Not only were we to take care of the two dogs, a cat, two horses, some sheep, chickens and ducks, we had also agreed to the company of the couples 16 year old son. Sounds scary?!?! It was not. As promised by his parents, Patrick was a very intelligent, interesting, house trained teen who got himself up each morning to catch the bus to school. And when he was home, we enjoyed some robust political discussions with him (as we were right in the middle of a very interesting phase of the Brexit issue) and some wonderful home cooked meals.

We did have our own accommodations attached to the house that we could retreat to each evening if we desired, but we preferred to hang out with the doggies ... and Patrick seemed to enjoy our company too.

The view from our window

The two little border terriers we were to care for were such a joy to hang out with!

Tarka, the mother

Tilly, her pup

Miss Keets, the kitty, who was out hunting each night and found sleeping in her chair all day.

Hector, one of the two horses

The horses relaxing with a view across the valley

Each day we trotted out to explore the forest next door. One day Miss Keets even decided to join us.

There was always the joy of some poop to roll in ....

There was lots of playtime with these two cuties.

But at the end of the day, there was always plenty of time to recharge.

Butter wouldn't melt!!!

Scotch Corner, Yorkshire

On our way to our next sit in North Yorkshire we stopped off to see The Angel of the North scupture. It's not until you get stood beside it that you realise not only how enormous it is, but also what an engineering feat this work of art is.

Upon arrival at our new sit, our second in a row where we have been their first sitters, we were met by Molly, the choco labrador and Olly, the deaf Jack Russell.

We were also caring for four horses. Thoroughbred crosses which were all bred by our homeowners and born on the property. Quite imposing boys, a dash of confidence around horses was well in order. Fortunately something we both have in spades.

It was quite convenient that we were able to walk the dogs on the property, not having to load everyone into the car, as the days were quite wet.

Cute wee matching rain coats

So it was just as well that Molly and Olly were so happy sitting in and having lots of cuddles.

Having horses, there was a bit of work to do each day.

Four horses sure do create a lot of poop ;-)

But as usual, at the end of the day, there as always time for more cuddles.

Oz & James in Cornwall - Aug/Sep 2019

Polperro, a quintessential Cornwall fishing village

Back down the country we go to care for a couple of cute kitties in Liskeard, Cornwall. James had looked after these guys before some years ago, so when we saw this advertised on Trusted Housesitters it was a no brainer really. We wanted to do a bit more fishing in this area so cats again would suit us well.

Book ends, James and Oz

These two are absolute characters! They both enjoy their cuddles very much. Oz likes to be nursed ... at every opportunity

Whilst James, who is a little more reserved would sidle up to us and ask to be picked up for a cuddle

Always happy to oblige

That first weekend, Clare boarded a bus and headed for London to spend a long weekend with her sister (who was visiting from NZ) and who's daughter and family live in London. A fun weekend was had by all.

Meanwhile, back at the house, there was more 'bonding' going on ;-)

James took the car apart to replace the heater matrix, which was a huge job involving removing the whole dashboard, amoung other things.. He was the only one not worried about getting it back together again. Thank goodness for Mr Google!