Bringing home owners and house sitters together
Sitter available
Scottish couple , fully vaccinated seek Italian Travels. Long haul to Melbourne, Victoria Perth, Canada anytime
United Kingdom
Testimonials
They have 16 testimonials (view below)
Pet experience
Dog(s), Cat(s), Chicken(s), Bird(s), Fish, Goat(s) – We have had cats and dogs in the past and have enjoyed looking after pets on all of our house sit assignments
Police check
They have a police check
Availability
From: 22 January 2024
Until: 30 April 2025
Occupation
Self employed builder
References
They have referees/references (view below)
About this sitter
We are Alan and Lorraine married for 31 years and at present living in a small village near St Andrews Scotland. Both fit and healthy and enjoy the outdoor life. We would like to experience real life in European countries particularly Italy, where we have visited for the past 26 years and look after and care for someone’s property the way we would our own. Property in any location would suit. We are now also looking for house sits in Canada,, Melbourne, Victoria & Perth in Australia & Florida.
Why they want to house sit
We have two sons aged 29& 27 who are now pursuing their own careers, leaving us free to follow our dreams and spend time in different countries hopefully learning more about the culture and language. Also would like to meet potential clients and share knowledge and experience of life. We have meet an amazing group of clients on our travels and now consider them our friends. It is a wonderful way to experience living in another country and it enables you to really experience normal everyday living in completely different circumstances to holidays. You very quickly learn lots about the area where you are staying and soon feel like a local.
Their experience
We have looked after three different types of properties in Tuscany during 2013. We carried out airport transfers for the owners at all the properties. Looked after guests and pets, we returned to one of the properties for a second house sit in the Autumn and spent Christmas in Bagni Di Lucca caring for bengi and walking with him in the hills around the area daily, while the owners travelled to Australia for a month. We were recommended by one of our house owners to other clients and extended our trip to allow them to return to the UK at short notice . We also worked in Puglia for a period in April/May 2013 and we have a good knowledge of Italian life. We can forward a detailed profiles of all the properties we have looked after along with owner contact detail who are happy to supply references.. We were in Italy from April 2014 until September looking after three properties two in the Lucca area and one near Umbertide the clients at these three properties all owned cats. From April 2015 we were in Italy house/pet sitting in Lazio in Itri, Ponticelli near Rome and Tuscany near Lucca until September. We have become a very experienced couple looking after a range of large properties in Italy and have been asked back to do return sits by all of our clients. We have spent the past six months in Europe since June 2016 looking after properties and pets in Puglia, Lazio, Tuscany and France, Alan was in Tuscany in May 2017 helping one of our previous house owners get there property ready for summer guests, opening the pool, gardening, some stone work repairs. In April & May 2018 we were in Sicily house sitting, looking after a large property with two apartments. The owners had goats, cats and a dog. We kept the pool and outdoor spaces in order so when they returned they were ready to let the apartments to guests. In June & July 2018 helping the owner in her Umbrian home in Narni, helping with preparation of meals, light gardening and caring for dogs with new puppies. In August 2018 We were in Lazio looking after a large property with pool and fishpond. In 2019 we returned to Sicily from March through to the end of November on a longer term house sit. We looked after the large villa with two apartments, large garden grounds with outdoor areas and a pool. Two outdoor cats and five goats. We learned some new skills here dealing with the estate agent as the property was on the market. We also had to ensure the place was kept in tip top condition outside and inside for prospective visiting clients. We were given the sole responsibility of showing clients around when the agent was on holiday. Because we stayed here longer than any other house sit we were very familiar with the local area and became very comfortable in our sunny surroundings. We enjoyed meeting guests and making them welcome. We returned from Sicily in December 2019 and due to Covid restrictions, were at home in Scotland until June 2021 and then spent the month of July in County Down Northern Ireland caring for Bosco and enjoying the beautiful scenery in this part of the world which was extra special given the record temperatures. In September 2022 returning to Italy to looking after an apartment and Cat in the city of Verona was a great way to be back on our Italian travels and enjoying once more the cultural and tastes we enjoy so much in Italy.
We have enjoyed our first American Housesit in Bradenton in December 2022 looking after a beautiful 100 year old cottage and two cats one outdoors one indoors, we thoroughly enjoyed this venture beautiful area and lots of places to walk and explore. In March 2023 we returned to Puglia Italy to a new property to care for two indoor and three outdoor cats, it was nice to spent the early Spring in the area and we enjoyed many walks in the olive groves.In April 2023 we enjoyed our first Scottish house sit in rural Aberdeenshire, as Brexit has curtailed our European travels we decided to see more of Scotland. We were caring for three cats and a large converted barn steading. We enjoyed the open countryside and local walks in the area.
May 2023, what a delight we were in Galicia, Spain for three weeks,living in the countryside in Meis in the vineyards, beautiful area, our first trip to this part of the world certainly did not disappoint. Scenery,coastline, and accessibility was great. The property was very comfortable and the cats adorable. We were blown away by the warm weather, the diverse seascapes and the truly tasty treats. Cities to see and this area of the Camino was well worth the visit. Owners were very kind and we hope to return.
Wow Iceland ???????? you are beautiful, we have just been introduced to this country fortunately by an amazing young couple who asked us to care for their cats, thank you. We loved exploring here and will always be thankful for looking after Mosi & Fifa for ten days in Reykjavik. Giving us a fabulous chance to see the area in August 2023, in what was a warm week with sunny days and only a couple of rain showers.
We have returned to Scotland with two new friends and a host of beautiful memories.
County Clare September 2023,
Ireland was incredible, the Burren scenery changes with the light, beaches along the wild Atlantic way, were particularly welcoming, swimming was great and the sea temperatures were very good indeed. We thoroughly enjoyed our month caring for Ollie who was adorable, the property was an new build and extremely comfortable, with great views. Claire & Andy made us very welcome and we will always be grateful for this opportunity. Hopefully we will be back sometime to explore further.
The Isle of Skye Scotland
The winter wonderland of Skye in December/January 2023/24.
An Isle trip in the winter gave us a Scottish hug, the icy sunny conditions were a great way to explore this part of the world, we thoroughly enjoyed
this house sit, cozy comfortable house, warm hospitality from the owners, and the flock supplied fresh eggs. We did of course have some wet and windy weather at the start of the assignment but thankfully the better days arrived and we were able to see what Scotland has to offer! Hogmanay at a local inn. The fresh seafood available from the fish merchants was delicious
good times.
What can they bring to the assignment
We are home owners who have run a small building company for 30 years, we feel we can bring vast experience, problem solving, computer skills and customer service. We are home makers, creative, child and animal friendly. Our hobbies include gardening, golf, cooking, hill walking and we embrace the outdoor life.
During our house sitting travels we have learned that being responsible and respectful of the environment you are staying in is essential particularly in hot dry summers, in the Mediterranean. Adapting to your new surroundings means being aware of the owners requests and doing our best to ensure that their property and pets are taken well care of.
We are hard working, honest,reliable and would not let anyone down and would treat any property as our own. We are airBandB hosts and have enjoyed welcoming visitors to our home and meeting many interesting people.
Last updated:
18 February 2024
Available to house sit
Australia, Canada, France, Italy, United Kingdom
Availability dates
From: 22 January 2024
Until: 30 April 2025
Do they charge?
They sometimes charge for house sitting services
Membership
MindMyHouse member since 2013
Personal details
Age: 56-65 years old
Family status:
Couple
Total sits
Total completed house sits: 14
References
You need to be logged in to see this house sitters' references.
About this house sitter
MindMyHouse member since March 2024
Sitemap
MindMyHouse.com – https://www.mindmyhouse.com/owners/sitter_listing/13098
Testimonials
Fantastic housesitters
Alan and Lorraine looked after our home, chickens and ducks for 3 weeks over Christmas. They are obviously experienced sitters. Originally booked for 2021 then we had to cancel due to covid restrictions but they contacted us again to rearrange. They communicated well both before, during and after their stay. They were exceptionally clean and left our home cleaner than before (and I am quite houseproud!). We would love to have them back and can thoroughly recommend them.
Elizabeth, United Kingdom, 17 January, 2024
What professionals!
We feel so lucky to have had Alan and Lorraine come to cat and house sit while we were away. I felt they understood exactly what we wanted, and how we like things done. I didn't have a moments doubts or worries the whole month we were away. We arrived home to our house spotlessly clean (don't know how ye managed to even get the bed lined washed!) a lovely soup which was most welcome, and a happy cat. Thank you Lorraine and Alan
Claire, Ireland, 02 October, 2023
Cat sitting in Reykjavík
Alan and Lorraine came to look after our cats in July/August 2023. From the start we were impressed with Alan and Lorraine's previous testimonials and cat sitting experience, which led us to set up a zoom date with them. We warmed to them straight away and felt like we could trust them completely with our apartment and cats. Contact was great before and during the assignment, with updates on arrival plans and photos of our cats during the house sit leaving us feeling always at ease. On arriving home our apartment was spotless, our plants and garden was well looked after and our cats were obviously well taken care of. The cats were so relaxed and were in no rush to see us, which for us shows that they had been getting all the attention they needed! We also got to meet Alan and Lorraine during the house sit which was a great experience. Elfur met them for a handover before leaving, introducing them to the cats and showing them around the house and around the town, which went smoothly. Alan and Lorraine also stayed with us for two nights after we arrived back, and we were able to get to know them better and hear about their travels and great approach to life. They are both a pleasure to spend time with and extremely reliable. We'd recommend anyone to take them on as a house sitter and we hope to meet them again sometime in the future!
Elfur Sunna, Iceland, 11 August, 2023
Housesitters A++
Alan and Lorraine were excellent housesitters. Very reliable, communicative, just really nice people. They seemed to enjoy Galicia and all that it offers. They took care of the garden, mowed the grass, weeded the veg patch. The house was clean when we came home. Wow! Our cats loved them too! All very good indeed, we would love to have them back and keep in touch with them.
Kim, Spain, 26 May, 2023
Wonderful house sitters
It was a real pleasure to meet Lorraine and Alan, who have just completed a house sit for us in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. They arrived the day before the housesit began, something we requested, which allowed us to show them around the house and introduce them to our pets. Lorraine and Alan were lovely with our cats and they, in turn, were very comfortable with them. Lorraine asked how often we would like to be contacted during our time away and gave us an update half way through. We returned to a sparkling house and 3 very happy cats and fish. We would highly recommend these 5* sitters to anyone lucky enough to have them. Thank you again Lorraine and Alan.
Helen, United Kingdom, 16 April, 2023
Cat sitting in Puglia
Alan and Lorraine looked after our house and 5 cats impeccably. After a 2 week holiday they kindly collected us from the train station after our original arrangements fell through and cooked us a lovely welcome home meal. Our house was immaculate and cleaner than when we left and the cats were settled and content. We couldn't have been happier with the their kindness and consideration for our house and pets. We now consider them friends.
jools, Italy, 24 March, 2023
So lucky to have connected with this lovely couple!
It was an absolute pleasure meeting Alan and Lorraine and having them watch our two kitties (one indoor/one outdoor) while we were away. I knew immediately from their thoughtful reply to our listing that it was going to be a great match! They were up for coming a day prior to our departure so we could greet them and show them around + introduce them to the kitties. They were so kind to send us pictures and updates of our little fuzzy friends too. With them being Airbnb hosts, we knew our house would be left nice and tidy for our house guest that arrived for the holidays after the assignment We couldn’t have asked for a nice couple or experience! Thank you, Alan & Lorraine. We are so glad you enjoyed your time in the area!
JENNIFER, United States, 27 December, 2022
Alan and Lorraine have been very good with my spoiled cat Midori and managed not to get him fatter; he was well kept and happy when I was back. The house was very clean and extra jobs have been done around it, beeing and old house with needs of attentions... My copious plants were healthy and beautiful more than ever! Thank you very much for your help. Hope to see you again in Verona!
Elena, Italy, 05 October, 2022
The Great Escape
After 15 months at home with my cat Bosco it was important to get away and I wanted to take a substantial tip of around a month. To do this I needed live in carers for Bosco and I was most concerned that he would be well looked after. Alan and Lorraine happily agreed to take on the house for a month and did an excellent job looking after it and Bosco. He carried on as usual and was quite comfortable and relaxed. They made friends with him and sent weekly updates with photos which reassured me. When I came home the house was probably cleaner than it has ever been. This was my first experience of pet/house sitting and it has been very positive. Making the arrangements was straightforward. My start date was key as my itinerary was not flexible. There was no uncertainty and they arrived when they said they would. All round very pleased and grateful with how things turned out.
Alasdair, United Kingdom, 07 August, 2021
Best housesitters
Alan and Lorraine returned to Sicily in March 2019 to be caretakers at our Villa. This was a longer assignment as we were travelling until late November 2019. We had got to know them the previous year and were delighted they were able to return and take on the role of looking after our guests at the Villa and apartments. We were able to leave knowing our property was in good hands and our house, grounds, pool, pets and our paying guests would be well looked after. We did of course have the odd hiccup as things happen but they were always resolved quickly and efficiently which meant we could relax on our travels through Europe. They handled our bookings and change overs in an orderly fashion and kept our garden and grounds in great condition not only for our guests but it was lovely to return home to our Villa and not have extra garden work to undertake. During our trip our house was for sale and they worked with our agent to ensure our property was shown at its best to potential buyers. They also dealt with buyers while our agent was on holiday and we were very happy with the professional way they presented the villa and grounds. Our animals were well cared for and looked well on our return. We would highly recommend this trustworthy couple to any house owners who need someone they can rely on. Communication was swift and we also kept in touch with little updates and photos from both parties. All in all we were delighted with this arrangement.
Bettina, Italy, 14 January, 2020
The great scot and his great wife
alan and lorraine have been coming to our house for 3 years , they can come for the nexr 25 years if they want . It was a blessing to have them keep the house for us , efficient in every task needed to be done , and I like to think we have become a bit friends , hope to have you back soon. paul and martine
paul, Italy, 14 September, 2019
A charming couple with many attributes for house sitting.
Alan and Lorraine were sitters in my house in Puglia a couple of years ago. They are keen gardeners and the arrangement worked well for us all. We subsequently met up with them back in Scotland and remain friends,
Ruth, United Kingdom, 13 September, 2019
Ruth Stone - I have a house in Puglia set in the beautiful countryside near Ceglie Messapica. I found Alan and Lorra Be through Mind my House and made two new friends.p
Alan and Lorraine are experienced house sitters who spent some time in our home in Italy. They looked after the house as if it was their own and made some spectacular improvements to the garden. It was a coincidence that they knew the area around Martina Franca having alreday spent some time there so when I contacted them they were please to accept. We also live near each other in Scotland and have been able to meet up but even without that opportunity it was easy to keep in touch with them and they kept me up to date with information about the house and pool, They are both very practical and adaptable and I highly recommend them, I had no pets at the house but am sure they would make excellent pet sitters too!
Ruth, United Kingdom, 24 February, 2019
You would be lucky.......
Alan and Lorraine have looked after our indoor cats and property multiple times. They are the perfect combination of dependable, energetic and very kind to the animals. They have always kept us informed how our trio of moggies were faring (including photos to reassure us further), maintained the houses (farmhouse and barn in Tuscany) in spotless condition, looked after our garden and unruly terraces and done a lot of extra jobs around the place which we did not expect them to undertake. They have also house and pet sat for friends of ours in the area and, I am absolutely certain, their references would glow in a similar fashion. We are planning a trip shortly and, sadly, have discovered that Alan and Lorraine are already booked for this period. As I said, you would be lucky........
Justine, Italy, 24 February, 2019
Alan and Lorraine came to look after our property and pets in Sicily in April this year. From the moment we meet we felt very positive and extremely happy with our choice of house sitters. Our animals were very relaxed with the change over and on our return we could see they had been well looked after. Our property was lovingly cared for and our garden and pool area was kept in order, which was very convenient as we were expecting guests on our return from holiday. All in all we had a very good feeling while we were away, we were updated when needed to be and the odd what’s app photo to see how the animals were, giving us a good balance of communication. We were fortunate to have a few days together during this arrangement and have got to know each other and become good friends. With this new relationship we are happy to say they will be returning to look after our Villa and the animals next year when we are travelling in Europe.
Bettina, Italy, 24 September, 2018
The perfect housesitters
My mom adored Alan and Lorraine, a very nice, positive, helpful couple. They were handful around, gentle with my mom, they took wonderfully care of the garden and the pets. My mom had a lot of fun with them! Thank you Alan and Lorraine so much for coming! We wish you all the best! :) Manu and Maura
Manuela, Italy, 11 September, 2018