Bringing home owners and house sitters together
Sitter available
Seeking a longer term House Sit
France
Testimonials
They have 3 testimonials (view below)
Pet experience
Dog(s), Cat(s), Chicken(s) – I currently have a cat.
Police check
They don't have a police check
Availability
From: 9 May 2025
Until: 4 Jun 2029
Occupation
Retired
References
They don't have referees/references
About this sitter
I'm a 74yr old single retired English gentleman, still pretty active and healthy. I lost my wife to cancer in early 2006 and it had a profound effect on me but I found HelpX and through that medium I slowly overcame the grief. I have been a MindmyHouse sitter in the past between 2016/17 where I sat 3 x 6 month spells, 1 in Trentels and 1 in Lubersac, there were no pets involved and my duties were just to maintain the gardens etc. My current placement was also through MindmyHouse.
Why they want to house sit
I have been in France now for over 15 years and I am currently in Montauban, Tarn et Garonne acting as guardian of a large house and grounds of over 11 acres where I have been since October 2018. I have my own apartment in the basement of the main house.
The English owners have told me that they do intend selling the property although not immediately but in the next few years, age being a factor and also visa complications due to Brexit.
I have been through the Brexit debacle and the Covid pandemic here and feel that it is time to move on.
I would like to find a long term assignment much like the one I am currently experiencing.
Their experience
I have been a member of 'HelpX' since 2009 when I first came to France, in the Midi-Pyrennes, as a helper in exchange for food and accommodation. I have remained in France ever since performing various tasks and meeting very nice people along the way.
I have been in the construction industry, and a time served plumber, all my working life so my experience is wide and varied. I have also picked up various skills along the way through my HelpX experiences.
What can they bring to the assignment
I am an intelligent, trustworthy and diligent person. I can handle most things with confidence and cope with anything that life throws at me.
I am a sociable guy and have a good 'Yorkshire' sense of humour.
Last updated:
9 May 2025
Available to house sit
Countries: France, United Kingdom
Availability dates
From: 9 May 2025
Until: 4 Jun 2029
Do they charge?
They don't charge for house sitting services
Personal details
Age: 66-75 years old
Languages spoken: English / French
Membership
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References
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Sitemap
MindMyHouse.com – https://www.mindmyhouse.com/owners/sitter_listing/61203
Testimonials
We were delighted to welcome James back
We were delighted to welcome James back for a further week which he managed to slot into his other Homestay bookings; it was kind of him to make a detour to do so for us. Once again he helped us enormously with several small but important tasks and he also took on a project which involved removing an old, very worn-out wooden fence and replacing it with a new, much more evenly-spaced wooden fence, which now looks fantastic. He accomplished this project in just 3 days even though it was a very long fence, with difficult hard-baked ground, and he also had to partially rebuild the dry stone wall, which goes alongside the fence. And of course we also had the pleasure of his company. He has become a good friend which is one of the extra rewards. We hope that we will have the opportunity to welcome him back many more times at the very least, an annual visit! Way to go, James!
Nikki & Mel, France, 01 October, 2016(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
Capable, trust worthy, honest and dependable
James Taylor assisted me at Maison Garderes for just short of one month. During that time I found him to be very capable,trust worthy,honest and dependable. He is a great Artisan - no task is beyond him. The impact his intervention and magic has brought to Garderes will be felt for a very long time.I can recommend James as a Helper to any Host lucky enough to receive him as a Volunteer. Good Luck to James. Hope to stay in touch and see you again. Thank you.
Austin, France, 01 September, 2016(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
A real gentleman
We wish to thoroughly recommend James Taylor. He is a thoroughly nice guy, a real gentleman and very good company. He is a very competent plumber/carpenter/painter and a great all- rounder, who gets on with the job and takes pride in all that he does - he likes to finish whatever he starts - using his initiative when necessary. We were enormously pleased with all the work he did for us during his two-week stay. He was also very kind and affectionate with our 4 cats; James, you have to come back soon, because Freia, our beautiful brown Burmese is missing you a lot! James is a person you can trust, takes his work seriously and is great fun to have around. He is also appreciative and responsive, and a good conversationalist, who interacted well with all our friends (as well as ourselves). You would be lucky to get James as your helper. We hope to see you again soon James.
Nikki & Mel, France, 01 August, 2016(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)