G'day! We are a 57+ non-smoking couple and have completed 20+sits since 2017. Our greatest joy is helping others to take a break!
We love animals and any type of little 'zoo', be it large or small creatures, senior, diasabled, on medication or energetic: they will be in safe and capable hands. Erwin works from home so this means lots of quality time for the pets in return for quality internet because we work online. Marianne works at the local library and is a marketing contractor occasionally.
Our Kiwi house sit adventure started in Kakanui in 2018 and because we loved the area so much decided to stay and become NZ permanent residents and home owners. We also helped out North Island home owners and did various overseas sits (USA, Canada, Argentina, Thailand, Australia). Properties included family homes, (hobby) farms, lifestyle properties, luxury and historic residences and Airbnb's.
We are Dutch Aussies who got the Kiwi bug ;-)! Please see the attachment with our outstanding reviews. One owner has asked us back 5 times (we did not have our own property to take care of then)!
Experienced too in managing b&b type accommodation and large acreage. We leave the properties in the same or better condition so you can relax instead of clean up on your return :-). It must be in our blood as Erwin's parents did sits in the 70-ies. Our first 'sit' was a house swap with a couple in the USA in 2006 caring for an energetic small doggie.
Long-term sits were our specialty from 1 month to 1 year, however as we have our own home and (vegie) garden, we prefer shorter sits now (max 1,5 weeks) but happy to discuss other lengths.
Pets cared for so far: all sizes, single and multiple young and older dogs and cats; chooks, birds, ducks, fish, horses, sheep, lambs, cows and a calf.
We love the outdoors and wildlife (photography). We make our sit location our home and enjoy being with pets while relaxing, reading or writing.
We have lived in urban and regional areas and are well-traveled and fit (non-smoking vegetarians - happy to feed pets meat if required). Your pets will receive lots of attention, exercise and cuddles as needed.
Cannot live without: art, laughter, healthy food, books, salty licorice, discussions about life, personal growth, hiking, bike riding, living near water and colours!
Other interests: arts and crafts, kayaking, permaculture, photography, gardening, baking, hospitality, healing, life coaching, training, marketing and (copy) writing.
We have worked in management roles in community and business development, not-for-profit, publishing, education and hospitality/convention industries and public libraries.
For our Kiwi jobs we obtained a police check. We are responsible drivers and most home owners have trusted us using their car if available, but we own a car now.
As global citizens we have lived and worked in The Netherlands, ACT and NSW in Australia and Otago, NZ. In total we house sat across 4 continents.
May we give you a no worries break next? We will be stoked :-)!
Couple
Marianne and Ewen put us at ease the moment they arrived at our house by being attentive to the needs of our mini Schnauzer.
The communication leading up to them sitting for us was clear and they arrived on time allowing us to depart on time.
The house was left exactly as they found it ,clean and tidy and our mini schnauzer was her usual self when we arrived home.
We will certainly invite them back when we head away again. Thank you both !
