Alfie would like to share his home with you

About this assignment

Alfie the cat has free access to the woods and farmland surrounding our home but loves to have someone at home to come back to, and of course to feed him. So, he has asked us, Jo & Ian, to find him someone to look after them when we are away. Humpty the tortoise also likes someone to feed and talk to him, whereas Tom & Dick the fish just want feeding once a day.

What responsibilities are required of the house sitter

Alfie would like to be fed and be stroked once he gets to know you!
The tortoise would like to be fed and have someone chat to him if it is sunny, but he is likely to be in hibernation in November.
The fish just want to be fed.
Weather dependent we would like someone to water the plants as we have lots of pots, but are not looking for any other gardening to be done.

What are the good features of the property and location

Nags Head Farm is a large, old house, which is no longer a farm, and also has not been the Nags Head inn for over 300 years. We are situated 2 miles outside of Darlington, in a cluster of 9 homes, so rural, but not remote. The neighbours are very friendly, but we don't want to impose on them, hence the need for a cat sitter. The house has a large garden and vegetable plot which is regularly opened under the National Gardens Scheme and a 3 acre wood. The garden is sunny with plenty of places to sit, or there is a large conservatory. Weather dependent we would like someone to water the plants but are not looking for any other gardening to be done. There is an aga for cooking, which if you are not used to it simply means don't rely on cooking times but check it regularly.... The house creaks, the water pipes rattle and the wind howls down the chimneys in a storm, but the solid walls keep the place warm, safe and sound. There is an en-suite bedroom available, or another with its own bathroom, and free use of the rest of the house. Darlington has a mainline rail station, ~ 2 miles away. The house is on a daytime bus route (Nags Head bus stop) but the bus is expensive and timing variable. You can walk into town, but the first 3/4 mile is on uneven grass verges along an A road, so care is needed, although there is an alternate, longer footpath. Therefore, a car is preferable.
Darlington is a great location for access to all the countryside and cities in the north-east; of which there is a wide variety.

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

This is an old house, with an aga for cooking and hot water (but also electric showers) and a septic tank - both easy to manage once you know how!
There are various levels and steps, so it is not really suitable for people with limited mobility.
There is central heating and the option of lighting the wood burners if you are familiar with them.
we only have basic wifi speeds - fine for emails and browsing and TV streaming, but not for gaming etc., and upload speeds are very low.

Can I bring my own pets?

No, sorry.

Enlarge map