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Sitter available

Retired B&B Owners available for house and cat sitting

France

Testimonials

They have 4 testimonials (view below)

Pet experience

Cat(s), Chicken(s), Bird(s), Fish, Rabbit(s), Tortoise/Turtle(s), Guinea pig(s) – We have both had dogs and cats all our lives but now as our knees are getting older we don't think we can manage looking after dogs that require walking long distances or for hours, sorry. Our beloved Labrador passed away in 2017 we decided not to have ou

Police check

They don't have a police check

Availability

From: 1 September 2024
Until: 31 March 2025

Occupation

B&B Owner

References

They don't have referees/references

About this sitter

We are a mature Non smoking couple who ran a B&B in Central France for 13 years, Appletons Farmhouse B&B, we bought the house in 2003 and after extensive renovations we started trading in 2005, we sold our business in November 2018 and now want to try something different. We are both active and enjoy the outdoors, Edward is the cook and computer guy and although he has one leg, this has never stopped him doing all that he wanted to do. Malcolm is the Gardener, cleaner and DIY expert who renovated and maintained our B&B. We have now bought a small 1 bed-roomed house in Central France, that has now, 2021, been completely renovated, 2020 and 2021 have allowed us to finish doing all the jobs inside and out that needed to be done, we have also done more work in our garden, creating new raised veg beds and a low maintenance garden so when we go away and come back it is easy to get back in shape even though it's over an acre plot.
We have as of October 2021 had our 3 Pfizer Covid vaccinations.
We will be available from September 2022 for cat and small animal pet sitting right through to March 2023 in the south of France and Spain.

Why they want to house sit

We lost our beloved Labrador, Leo,  in June 2017, we knew we wanted to move / sell and do something different so we have not been back to the SPA to find another friend. We feel that pets should be cared for in their own home, we found Leo at the SPA in Deol, France when he was 18 months old and he was with us for 12 and a half years, we always housed him with friends when we went away to the UK as would never have put him in kennels or a cage again, we both feel it would have killed him to think he had been abandoned again. We lost our cat, Gobi in 2015, he was 18 years old, we brought him with us from London in 2003, by the time Gobi left us we knew we wanted to sell and didn't know where we would land up.
We have found this and another site and are enjoying looking after pets who need some love and cuddles when owners are away on their holidays.We both are home birds but enjoy seeing new places and having new experiences.

Their experience

We have had cats and dogs throughout our lives, we love their company and the love they give as it's unconditional, they respond to affection and kindness and people who are calm and thoughtful which we think we are.

What can they bring to the assignment

We are both gardeners and enjoy the outdoors, have cleaned and made beds and cooked for lots of guests over the 13 years, we feel we are proficient in looking after our home and feel that we would enjoy looking after someone else home. Do have a look on Trip adviser at our guests reviews.

We moved into out new home in February 2019, and have done extensive renovations, we have an acre of land which we have tamed, our vegetable plot is producing lots of veg, we have 4 beds made of railway sleepers. We like to have something to do when we are away, gardening is a passion, Malcolm is also experienced in DIY and maintenance so can do little things around the house if anything needs doing in an emergency.
Do contact us if you think we may be suitable to look after your property.
We want to spend time in Spain and Portugal in winter so are available then, we love the summer in France, tending our garden and veg plot and feel it would be too hot in Spain and Portugal before September.
We will be available from September 2022 for cat and small animal pet sitting right through to March 2023 in the south of France and Spain.

Available to house sit

France, Spain, United Kingdom

Availability dates

From: 1 September 2024
Until: 31 March 2025

Do they charge?

They don't charge for house sitting services

Membership

MindMyHouse member since 2017

Personal details

Age: 66-75 years old
Family status: Couple

Total sits

Total completed house sits: 5

Testimonials

Great house sitters!

Malcolm and Edward housesat for me for two weeks over Xmas and were great, I wouldn't hesitate to use them again. The house was spotless when I got back and my dogs and cat had been well looked after. They'd made the bed up for me and had even done some washing I'd left! Lovely guys, really friendly, very communicative, kept me updated with my animals' well-being and sent photos too. Recommended!

Alison , Portugal, 04 January, 2022

  • Tidy
  • Organised
  • Good at pet care
  • Reliable
  • Kept in contact
  • Friendly

House sitters who know the score

Malcolm and Ed came to house sit for us. We knew they'd run a B&B here in France, but we didn't realise they were never off duty! They cooked, cleaned up the barn (a huge job) and complained we didn't give them enough to do when we were away. If you want a couple of guys who'll look after your house brilliantly, look no further. But don't interfere when we need them!

Chris, France, 12 January, 2020

  • Tidy
  • Organised
  • Good at pet care
  • Reliable
  • Kept in contact
  • Friendly
  • Good in the garden
  • Handy around the house

Such caring sitters!

We cannot fault Malcolm & Edward for the care they gave to our dog Conny. They did everything asked of them to ensure she was looked after just as we would and Conny was very settled and happy on our return, we couldn't have asked for more. Edward sent us updates which we really appreciated. They looked after the house too and even left us a salad meal ready for our return. We had complete confidence in them. Thank you very much Malcolm and Edward and a big thank you from Conny. Jan & Barry

Jan, France, 18 October, 2019

  • Tidy
  • Organised
  • Good at pet care
  • Reliable
  • Kept in contact
  • Friendly
  • Good in the garden
  • Handy around the house

Our house/animals were in safe hands

Malcolm & Edward were the perfect house sitters. We immediately felt comfortable leaving our home and more importantly our beloved blind dog in their hands. Our dog and chickens were well cared for and the house was left in perfect condition. We touched base a few times while on holiday (just for our peace of mind) and they responded quickly and assuredly. We not hesitate to use them again or recommend them.

Kathy, France, 07 March, 2019

  • Tidy
  • Organised
  • Good at pet care
  • Reliable
  • Kept in contact
  • Friendly
  • Good in the garden
  • Handy around the house

References

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Last updated: 21 November 2023