Tag: house sitting

Fee Writes

Random

Experiencing Country Life!

I honestly didn’t think I’d be experiencing country life again.

It would have to be at least 18 years since I’ve lived in the country. Like, really in the country!

So why am I here?

I left the last house-sit not quite two weeks ago. Yes, I apologise to those who are following me (all two of you), who are actually interested in where I am.

My new “digs” are now about 1/2 hour drive from the city heading North. When I say 1/2 an hour – that’s when the traffic is normal. Peak time can be around 45 – 55 minutes. But that’s o.k. gives me time to plot and scheme about stuff!

I’m here until late December when I’ll be back in the city looking after Lily again.

Now, the household is made up of my beautiful friends Caitlin and Rob and their adorable cat, Ruby. The vibes here are super loving and I couldn’t be with better people.

With you in mind, I took my camera when I went for my walk …. yes, I’m walking and checking out the neighbourhood just for you ……

Meet the neighbours:

These two gorgeous Clydesdales belong to the neighbour

Just some of the girls who live here with us

There's always a Pukeko close by — There’s always a Pukeko close by

Even the proverbial barn

The neighbour is creating a beautiful fence of roses in front of the avocado trees.

And best of all ... Ruby — And best of all … Ruby

Ahhh, country life.

Fee Writes

Back At Papamoa

Same suburb, different street.

Straight off the plane from Sydney and onto the next house-sit. This time I’m back in Papamoa, but now I have the added delight of only an 8-minute walk to the beach.

Have been for a few walks around the blocks, as I do because I’m nosey, and the development is still in full swing here – sections sold, buildings being built and I’m only at the beginning of this area. I have a notion that Papamoa is one of the fastest-growing areas in N.Z. (could be wrong).

Ahhhhh, it’s good to be back on this side of the bridge. It’s good to walk the beach and see the Mount and it just confirms my desire of making Mount Maunganui where I finally will settle … well for now – you know me, can change my mind – might end up living in Timbuktu – who knows what the West Wind will bring.

Now let me introduce you to a really corker cat. This is Quinn.

She’s absolutely adorable. One of those cats who rub against your legs and wants to be around (when it’s convenient for her), and generally a pretty smoochie kitty. However, she does have one slightly off-putting habit. When she’s over your patting or cuddling she’ll tell you by giving you a nip. And you can’t really tell what her mood is because her tail is constantly in motion. Even when she’s lying in the sun, her tail is twitching.

She’s taken to sleeping with me from about 5 a.m. onwards. I know the image depicting this is dark and grainy, but, hey, what do you expect when it’s the wee hours of the morning and the sun isn’t up yet!!!

I’m in such a loving home filled with a warm feeling. It’s a home that’s easy to keep tidy, perfect position to expressway and beach. Quinn’s mum and dad are beautiful people and her dad has a wonderful hobby – growing bonsai trees.

Apparently, he hasn’t been doing it for long, but wow, take a look at these – (and the photo doesn’t do them justice).

I’m here till early November, then have a big gap till the next one in late December – Know anyone going away???? I come with references.

Fee Writes

Quick Post | Random

Leaving Lily

Time to move on. Time to say goodbye to Lily for now.

It’s been a wonderful stay with Lily, although I can’t say I’ll miss the white fur. Lesson learned here – don’t wear black! I’ll be heading off at the end of this week and, guess what?, I’m going to Sydney for the weekend! Yeeha!!!! I get to hang out with my youngest, beautiful daughter.

Doing the “Mother of the Bride” bit as she is getting married next March.

Soooo excited. Mind you – what a week getting myself sorted.

You see, I’ve been house-sitting for about four months straight (and not finished yet), and we’ve changed seasons, so lots of cleaning out of the suitcase and swapping over the winter/summer clothes. Mind you, it’s still not tropical, but we can all live in hope!

So next time I write, I’ll be in Papamoa, looking after Quinn the cat and hanging out for about two and half weeks. Don’t worry, you’ll be filled in on the Sydney trip – memo to self: take photos!

Fee Writes

Animals | Random

Don’t Wear Black

I am now safely ensconced in the new house-sit with Miss Lily.

And the title of this post really says it all. Beautiful white, long-haired cat – the stuff nightmares are made of for those of us who wear black.

So the black clothes (other than the work trousers) are packed away, not giving me much to pick on a day to day basis. But, she’s worth it. What a corker cat. She’s wonderfully nosey, not overly cuddly (good because of the white fur), a little talkative and easy to understand.

She has a couple of quirks – one being that her water bowl is in the bath. Her mum did tell me that Lily herself wanted it in there simply by jumping in the tub and trying to get water. Once mum put a bowl of water in there, Lily was happy.

The second – maybe not a “quirk” but quite delightful. I hang my bag on the kitchen door and Lily has discovered it. She rubs up against it, licks it and generally just hangs out by it. When she first started doing it I must admit I was a bit puzzled. Now I think I’ve got the answer. I have a small bottle of peppermint essence in there (wonderful for headaches) and I believe Lily can smell it. I’ve yet to have a headache, rub a dot on the temples and then get near her to test my theory.

She does demand her food especially at around 6.30 a.m. Then on the second morning it was waaaaay earlier when she started meowing and jumped on the bed. I staggered out, thinking it was for food, but, instead, Lily led me to the bathroom and there I saw that she’d tipped her water bowl over. I filled it up, went back to bed, Lily drank and went back to bed …. or where-ever she went and the house settled back down to more zzzzzzzzs

It’s either been raining or I’ve been out so haven’t really had the chance to explore the neighbourhood, but I do have some interesting neighbours so look out for that post when the sun shines and I can take camera with me.

I’ll leave you with a couple more photos of Lily when she went to ‘meet Olly’, (never fear, won’t be any more unless I can’t resist captioning one).

Fee Writes

Random

Past The Half Way Mark

It’s now week 6 of the 10-week stint I have in this home. Have to admit the location is pretty spot on. It really is true – “location, location, location”.

Two blocks from Grindz (the fav cafe), three blocks from the start of the CBD, around the corner from the Saturday farmers market and to top everything off – three op shops (thrift stores) within a one-block radius…what could be better? Ha, I’m in my element.

Of course, it’s been winter so even though the above paragraph sounds ideal … it’s been either raining or just too cold to go out walking the streets too often.

And, speaking of winter, although this is a really, really lovely home, it doesn’t get much sun in the area where I work on my computer. The view is awesome from the table window and quite distracting at times, but just on the wrong side of the house to catch some warming, winter sun. Mind you, good excuse to get up, make a coffee and take a break in the courtyard and the sunshine.

Now, this is not complaining, not at all, just a mere observation regarding the lack of sun. In fact, it did get me thinking. “here we go again” I can hear you say “thinking…nothing good comes from her thinking too much”. Well, I have been thinking and here’s what my suggestion is. Anyone who is considering building a home should go house-sitting for awhile.

Why? Because each place I’ve been to have wonderful things and not so wonderful things about them. Take, for example, a double sink, one big, one a bit smaller (the sort used for those compost thingies), but the tap is positioned incorrectly. It fits over the small sink perfectly, but only just gets into the large one.

So if rinsing out pots or larger dishes, it is a little more difficult with the tap over the large sink … the tap should have been moved over a just a tad to give more leeway in the bigger sink.
Then there’s the matter of a shower cubicle being big enough. I mean, I know I’m only little, but if I struggle with not having enough space to step back a bit so I’m not being drowned from the water which comes from a fixed shower head, then I pity anyone who is bigger than me.

Enough of the downers, obviously there are good things and they come under the category – “now this is a brilliant idea”. For example, a full house water filter, an automatic light in the pantry … that actually lights everything, not just one shelf – and the best one I’ve come across so far is an extra hot water tap that delivers boiling water. Oh, how easy was making the cup of tea with that!!!!! – no jug needed.

All the homes I’ve looked after have been really lovely, homey and with such a good feel to them all. Do I have a favourite? Not really. A bit like the cats I look after … don’t have a favourite there either as each one has been different.

Winter is nearly over, the sun seems a bit warmer and today the sky is blue. Life is delicious. I’m now going to go get a cuppa, sit in the sun and do some more thinking.

ps – would love you to scroll down and put in an odd comment or, even subscribe to this silly old blog.

Thanks for dropping by, my name is Fee O’Shea. I’m a mother and grandma, an author and an Improver. I’ve got a resource website to help peeps go plant-based, I’ve scribbled six books centred around veganism, and have helped others write and publish their own stories.
But this blog is for my thoughts, my rants, raves, reviews and things that have grabbed my attention. From politics to social media to beauty, health and the environment. Fee’s Ramblings Over Coffee is written to bring you a smile or get you thinking. Enjoy.

Tag: house sitting

Experiencing Country Life!

I honestly didn’t think I’d be experiencing country life again.

Back At Papamoa

Same suburb, different street.

Leaving Lily

Time to move on. Time to say goodbye to Lily for now.

Don’t Wear Black

I am now safely ensconced in the new house-sit with Miss Lily.

Past The Half Way Mark

It’s now week 6 of the 10-week stint I have in this home. Have to admit the location is pretty spot on. It really is true – “location, location, location”.

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