About this assignment

We look for someone who sits our small hobby farm for 2-3 weeks beginning of August 2013. We are open to swop with other housesitters in United Kingdom, Ireland, Scandinavia or France or...

House is suitable for families with kids. (our kids are 11/9/7/5 years).

The house is heated with firewood (modern system but needs to start a fire once a day when it is cold). Warm water via solar panel or in winter additional with firewood. Electricity from PV-panel and green energy from a supplier. We dont expect payment for an normal amount of electricity and water. Wet cant pay for the house sitter.

What responsibilities are required of the house sitter

When we are away there has to be someone who look after the animals (5 goats), 2 sheep, some geese/chicken). In the case of problems there will be a neighbour to ask or an english speaking friend nearby/by phone who might can help.

We have no central heating - so depending on the weather you have to heat the stove (firewood is enough here!).

What are the good features of the property and location

Lake for swimming nearby, quiet rural area, 260 yrs old renovated house with lovely animals. Dresden 80 km away, Berlin 200 km, old towns of Bautzen (1000 years old, 15 km away) and Görlitz (35 km away).

Next small supermarked 2 km, town Weissenberg 5 km (normal supermarket), all kind of shops and larger supermarkets in Bautzen (15 km)

singing birds, fresh air, fruit trees (cherries, apples, plum...) and berries.

5500 sqm property, lots of space, some bicycles to use

Its not a registered organic farm but we use organic methods only. There might be some vegetables in the garden and apples on the trees that can be eaten during your stay. The house is renovated in a natural and sustainable style.

1 Bedroom (double bed)
1 kids bedroom (3-4 beds: 3 normal size +1 kid size)
1 sideroom of the kids room: 1 bed
1 guest room (1 bed)
1 guest room (2 + 2 beds: 1 double bed + sofa bed)

Internet is available (cable, no wireless), but be aware to sign a paper that you will be responsible for any use (like illegal down/uploads of music, movies, programms etc) - Germany has one of the strongest copy right laws in the world (fines are usually 2000-10.000 EUR per movie upload/share) and from the experiences in the past we either switch off the internet or the housesitter has to sign a paper...

There is a travel agency on the property, so up/downloads are limited during the daytime (8 am to 6 pm) as the office will need a fast internet...

The blog of our home sitters from July/august 2012: http://whereisyourbicycle.blogspot.de/

What does the house sitter need to consider before applying for this assignment

Preferred: Couples and Families with kids of any ages. Baby bed can be supplied.

For individuals/couples: Minimum age 20 years or experiences with animals

german or english speaking

You can come some days earlier and we will fit you into the house somehow and can show you around.