You're going where?

You’re going where? You’re going when? You’re doing what? You must be mad!

That is a standard reaction as we have told people about our plans for a ‘summer vacation’.

Before you join the chorus of concern, be assured that there is method to what seems only madness.  

If you were a reader of our previous travel blogs you will know that we love to travel. You will also know we don’t like travel in conventional ways. We understand why people love bus tours, but for us they are way too expensive. We like to be independent. We like to be different and we like to do things on a budget. So we are always on the lookout for unconventional ways to travel.

Sometime back, Wendy stumbled across an article in the Sydney Morning Herald about a couple who, after retirement, joined a house sitting group. They had stayed in over 90 house sits in 13 countries and had traveled for over 7 years without ever having to pay for accommodation. They stayed at some amazing places; places off the tourist map; places varied, interesting and at times challenging. They minded houses, pets, gardens and basically had a royal time.

So we joined a small house sitting group called Christian House Sitters and watched to see what was available. In June this year we saw a house sitter request that matched our summer vacation dates.

On route we stopped over for a couple of nights in the Lake District. The rain mercifully abated for half a day which gave us time to hike from Grasmere to Easedale Tarn. The 9 km walk with a climb of 350 metres rewarded us with a spectacular views of rural charm, powerful waterfalls and friendly Herdwick sheep. These are the tough local sheep that have teddy bear faces and the traits of mountain goats, recently made famous by the author of the popular memoir ‘The Shepherd’s Life’.

The house we are minding is a whitewashed cottage and boasts spectacular ocean views. The property is a small eco-friendly croft where our task will be to mind a few chooks and ducks; and a senior citizen cat. The address is a little unusual for a summer holiday, but is a place

we have always wanted to visit; and geographically similar to where Richard’s maternal grandfather grew up.

Yes, it is true that at this time of year there is only six hours of daylight. Yes, it will be a cold, windy, rainy and bleak (most of the time). Yes, it’s going to be a very unusual Christmas to be away from family. Yes, it’s a little counterintuitive. But hey, ‘fortune favors the brave’, ‘you only live once’ and ‘seize the day’.  

Enough clichés – stay tuned to the blog and join our adventure ‘over the sea to Skye’ – the Isle of Skye, off the west coast of Scotland.