Three Years On... We're Finally Doing It!

Can you believe it, this journey of ours started three years ago! I’m not sure if I’m shocked it’s been that long, or only that long. Certainly some days it feels like we’ve been house-sitting for ever and yet other days it just feels like a tiny blip in the ocean of life. Strange isn’t it, how life and memories can play tricks on you?

To add to that, last weekend we went up to search for something we’d left in one of the boxes we stored when downsizing from the house. But, of course, when you find yourself faced with a stack of boxes (any one of which could hold the tiny item you’re looking for) there is the temptation to peek and peruse. In someways it even felt a little like staring at the presents under the tree on Christmas morning, since I had no idea what most of those boxes hold.

I certainly had a range of memories triggered, though, by the things I did find during the search.

For example, I might not remember the actual action of downsizing, but I do recall the emotion. Of being so drained after weeks of sorting that I boxed and stored many things because I simply couldn’t decide which of the piles (Rubbish, Sell, Store or the Must-Keep-And-Take-With-Us) to put the items in. Consequently when I was peeking and perusing over the weekend, I came across some interesting collections - like a suitcase full of the decorative cardboard boxes that I may never have a use for, and a selection of greetings cards, books and notepads that I bought when they were on Special. Things too nice to pass on or throw out, but that I may never use. Especially, of course, since Steve or I have absolutely no idea when we might settle, where we might settle or in what size domicile we might settle in - if we choose to settle…

All we do know for sure is that we’re enjoying travelling, enabling home-owners to feel relaxed when they choose to go away, and look forward to more adapting and exploring. For this reason, there are a few changes afoot.

Firstly, we've bought a car and are selling the bikes. Yes, we actually did it! Not because we didn’t like the bikes (we did) it’s just that we want to venture further afield and a car is a better option for that - and the bikes are too big to go on the back of a car. So if all things go according to plan, this August we will be heading east. There’s always the chance that we might get temporarily distracted by rural house-sits on the way, but in theory we are actually heading over to Tassie. We’re not sure (at this point) when we’ll arrive - although that, of course, could be swayed by bookings to sit. We’re not even sure when we’ll return. We just thought we’d wing it and see how things go. But then you’re probably used to us doing that by now…

The other main thing is that (for those who haven’t discovered it yet) I’ve started a weekly podcast where I talk about my life as a house-sitter (reflections, insights, updates, challenges, delights, and so on). It seemed like a fun thing to try. It’s similar to this blog (but not), and it covers similar things to this blog (but not quite), which is why… this is going to be our last blog post here for a while, or maybe longer. No point in doubling up…

I’ve had a great time creating and putting up blog posts here and I’ve really appreciated your support and interaction, but once again it feels like time for a change. So why not come and listen to my weekly podcasts on the House-sitting Life site (or one of the usual broadcasting sites and apps), and keep in touch with what we’re doing that way… Here’s the link. 

(Although, if you’re visiting this blog because you’re more interested in house-sitting than our adventures, you might prefer to visit my site: www.housesittinginAustralia.com. You’ll find no end of articles and courses there.)