Yikes!

Wow!   My heart was pounding (actually it still is a little).  I tried to bring up the blogger so I could create a new post and I couldn't get in.  I was in a panic.  I thought I might actually be sick.  With all the sinus medications I have taken today, that was a real possibility.  Sorry, the was TMI, you really didn't need to know that part.  I took a deep breath and considered my options:  start a whole new blog, not a good choice; sit down and cry, a possibility and may still happen; or research on Google.  Research won out.  I know that nothing every really disappears on the web; it had to be there somewhere.  Google to the rescue.  It took 5 minutes to figure out the error of my ways.  Whew!

Time is flying.  We only have 34 days until we sail from Tampa to Southampton, UK on the NCL Jade.  This will be the longest cruise to date for us:  14 days of delicious food, incredible shows, exotic shore excursions, and total relaxation.  We have several stops along the way, the first being Key West.  I've never been to Key West, so that should be fun.  We're going on a bike tour of the island and Mary, the lovely lady who keeps my hair looking great and stylish, recommended we stop at Sloppy Joe's. Our next port is Miami.  We're not going to get off the ship.  We've been to Miami several times so we're saving our money for other locales.  Hopefully, all of the other passengers will decide that Miami is the place to be that day and we will have the pool to ourselves.  One can only hope.  We will also stop in the Azores.  We decided that we will get off the ship and wander around by our selves for a while.  Our next stop is Cork, Ireland.  We're going to take a tour that allows us to kiss the Blarney Stone!  We will also stop in Falmouth, Wales where we will spend another fun day exploring, then onto Southampton where the adventure begins!

We will picking up our rental car that day and making our way to Cambridge for our first housesit. We are still deciding how we want to solve our transportation dilemma.  Should be lease a vehicle or should be buy one?  We can insure the vehicle with our USAA insurance, so that's not an issue.  We're still weighing all the possibilities.  Either way, we must have transportation.

Last post, you got to meet Maisie, one of the cavaliers that we have the pleasure of meeting in late June.  Maisie sent me some new photos from the birthday party for Uncle Geordie this past Saturday.  They and their humans had an awesome time celebrating and eating chocolate cake.

Now I need to bake some cookies for dessert at Trivia tonight at Wings 'n Things.  We came in second last week.  Wish us luck.

Meet Maisie!

Chuck and I had an email today from one of the pets we will be caring for this July.  Her name is Maisie and she's 2 years old.  Maisie will help us get to know the rest of her family. The distinguished gentleman behind her in the photo is Uncle Geordie who will be 10 this week.  I think Maisie looks like the cuddling type.  I can't wait to find out.

We also had a Skype conversation with one of our housesitting/pet sitting couples.  We had a great time getting to know each other through Skype.  While we were discussing some of the details of the stay, it was suggested that Chuck and I arrive around tea time.  We had to ask:  what time would tea time be?  We all had a good laugh over that one. (We found out tea time is around 4 p.m.)

Now that time is getting closer to our departure, we are really getting excited.  Of course, I want to look and feel my best for the adventure, so I stepped up my exercise routine.  I thought my shoes were too tight during one session, so I changed shoes.  But. . .I actually broke a bone in my foot.  Who knew aerobics could be so dangerous?  I am now wearing a lovely airsoft boot for three weeks.  I'm keeping my fingers crosses that it heals quickly and I won't need to bring my new fashion accessory with me on our adventure.

Our Itinerary

Since we have finalized our itinerary, we wanted to share it on our blog.  We hope that you will follow us as we travel through the United Kingdom one house at a time.  We promise we will post photos beginning with the cruise.

We are also checking with Verizon to determine whether our phones will operate 
in the UK without costing a small fortune.  To use our phones or buy a prepaid cell, that is the question (a little Shakespeare humor).

The time for us to embark on this journey is drawing near and we really have to start packing.  It's a good thing we're cruising, we couldn't afford the luggage fees if we had decided to fly.

Do you Skype?

I know that Skype has been around a long time, but Chuck and I are just now becoming Skypers.  I will say that I have found it a bit difficult getting started but we have had 3 Skype conversations with some of the people that chose us as housesitters that were successful.  It makes sense.  Even though we are vetted through Trusted Housesitters, it is nice to put faces with names. It also gives both parties a chance to get to know each other.  We have a Skype call scheduled Sunday with a couple that we will housesit for in June.  Hopefully, during that call we will get to meet Jerry Springer, their dog.  If you have not had the opportunity to Skype, it is a very useful tool when planning and scheduling potential assignments. Every time we Skype, we establish a meaningful relationship
and open the door for friends on FB.

The Process

We were so lucky to have found the website Trusted Housesitters.  Trusted Housesitters is a UK based organization that matches vetted individuals/couples with homeowners who need someone to take care of their pets and home while they are away.  It’s a win-win situation for both parties.  The homeowner is able to find through the registry members who will pet/housesit for free, knowing that their pets get stay at home because the members are vetted through ID verifications and criminal background checks.  The pet/housesitters get free lodging in exchange in caring for pets, become familiar with the local area, can choose housesits that range from a weekend to a year worldwide and feel confident when choosing an assignment because the homeowners are vetted as well.  What could be better!

I’m going to post the message that we constructed for our profile.  You might even find out something about us you didn’t already know.  It must be okay because we have 12 confirmed housesits.  Here’s the message:

Hi!  We are Chuck and Terry, who enjoy traveling and new adventures.  Chuck is a retired US Army helicopter pilot and we are both retired elementary school teachers.  We are planning an extended stay in Europe, primarily in Great Britain after a transatlantic cruise that disembarks in Southampton May 14, 2017. We're a young at heart retired couple, energetic non-smokers and always excited about new experiences. We are homeowners in the US (Georgia) and understand the need to feel confident that your pets and home are in good hands. Our youngest son (28) has graciously volunteered to pet/housesit (at present, we have one very spoiled cat named Smokey) for us while we are immersing ourselves in the culture of the UK.  We hope that we can be of assistance to you while you enjoy a holiday. We have lived in Germany for 7 years (tours of duty with the US Army) and have traveled in Europe. We are animal lovers and have had many beloved pets, particularly the first pet we owned as a newly married couple, Jack, our German shepherd. It’s hard to believe that was 35 years ago.  He certainly has a special place in our hearts. We are quite capable of managing all types of situations.  We know how to roll with the punches and face new challenges. We will have access to our own transportation during our stay in the UK.  We would feel privileged to have the opportunity to keep your pets company and make new memories with them while you are on holiday. 

This is the basis of the message we used to apply for assignments.  We tailored it by personalizing the message to the homeowners.  For example, if the homeowners have a dog named Oliver, we made sure to mention the dog’s name in the message.  So far, it’s worked.  I’m going to post a link to Trusted Housesitters for those who are interested.  There is a fee associated with the membership, but we have already recovered that cost with our first housesit and the savings on lodging. I am adding a link to the Trusted Housesitters website:  www.trustedhousesitters.com

Well, it’s time to start dinner.  Barbeque chicken sandwiches, baked beans, and French fries:  what could be better?

How It All Began

Here we are.  We are about to embark on a trip of a lifetime.  Chuck and I are becoming housesitters/petsitters from May through November this year.  And all this will happen in the United Kingdom.  It's amazing how this has all come together.  Let me begin at the beginning. . .

Because we love cruising and cruise ships, we found a 14-day transatlantic cruise that sails from Tampa to Southampton, UK at the end of April.  We thought that we might visit Stonehenge, see the sights in London, then cross the English Channel to visit Normandy.  That was the plan.  Then, while on a cruise last September, we had the opportunity to book another transatlantic cruise, this one is 21 days, from Venice, Italy to Miami December 1.   I was checking the cost of airfare from the UK to Atlanta and from Atlanta to Venice every couple of days to find the cheapest fares. Chuck found a website for pet/housesitting.  Pet/housesitting involves staying in someone's house (at no cost to us!) and taking care of their pets (that sometimes includes chickens, ducks, and horses among other farm animals) while the homeowners go on vacation (or holiday, as they say in the UK). 

We felt like an extended stay in a true United Kingdom family's home would allow us to totally immerse into the British culture.  Long walks with the dogs, sightseeing in a variety of locations (11 confirmed housesits throughout the UK), and interacting with neighbors in the hood, visits to the local pubs and shopping venues would allow us to do just that:  total immersion! 

The plan was hatched.  We are still in good health and traveling overseas is something we have talked about for quite sometime.  We decided to spend the time between the first transatlantic cruise that docks in Southampton May 14 and the second transatlantic cruise that departs Venice, Italy December 1 HOUSESITTING IN THE UK! Well, to be completely honest, we thought we would apply for housesitting positions throughout Europe, but we ended up booking all our housesits in the UK and WE ARE EXCITED!  That's almost 7 months away from home.  Away from friends, from Monday night Trivia at Wings and Things, and for me, away from my craft room and Stampin' Up! Oh, yeah, how do you pack for a trip that is 7 months long?