April 2012
We planned to be in Perth for the Easter period and our caravan required a service. We applied for a house sitting assignment for this period. We sat for a young couple who were heading overseas on holiday. We never met them but the parents of the girl met us at the property and provided us with access and we met them at the end of the period to return the key. We cared for a cat during this assignment. We had been told it was "a cat with attitude" and not to expect too much contact. The cat accessed through a cat door for its food, slept on the couch in the outside entertainment area and generally maintained its
attitude that we were visitors in its domain. We were happy to know that it was still home and cared for waiting on the return of its owners. We stayed at this property for two weeks and had a great opportunity to explore Perth and the surrounding areas regularly catching the train from the local station. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay and as we handed the keys over to the parents they asked if we were available to house sit for them. Unfortunately our forward plans did not allow the time for this assignment.
September 2012
We were scheduled to arrive in the Gold Coast area during the school holidays - bad planning on our part as camping costs increase in the school holidays and we live to a budget. We applied to house sit in Broadbeach Waters and initially we were not successful. However, a few days before the sit the home owner rang and said she had been let down by the chosen sitter and could we help out. We were happy to do so, so we met the home owner and her pet teacup poodle at the commencement of the sit. We happily maintained the home and grounds, including the pool and spa pool. Security was a major for this property and we ensured
that no access was provided from the jetty and that the tied up boat was safe. During the house sit the home owner contacted us and asked if we could stay on a further few days which we were happy to oblige. The little poodle was getting quite old and had severe arthritis so required lifting on to and off the lounge chairs and the bed and daily medication. She was a lovely pet and settled with us very quickly. We were very close to the beach so had a great opportunity to explore the Gold Coast beach areas travelling either by the local bus or in our car.
October 2012
As we were nearing the end of our trip around Australia we sold our caravan while in Queensland. House sitting became a very good option for us.
We applied for a house sit position in Sydney but again we were not successful. However, two days prior to the sit beginning we received an email asking if we could assist and we agreed. We arrived in Sydney and stayed overnight in a hotel and went to meet the home owners and had dinner with them and received a hand over. At this sit we cared for two Shiatsu/poodles. They were so well trained that we were amazed. Cleo would try and jump on our bed at night and soon knew that there was much more room on Gill's side of the bed than on Peter's where he would get told to get down! Unfortunately for Petra she couldn't jump up on to the bed so would have to stay in her bed. Both beds were placed in the master bedroom at night as requested by the owners. We stayed in Stanhope Gardens for a week and took the opportunity to take the train into the CBD in Sydney. We have been to Sydney many times but enjoyed being able to take our time and explore both the city and the Blue Mountains area which was close by.
October 2012
Our next assignment was in Wheelers Hill in Melbourne where we house sat for friends who were returning to New Zealand for four weeks. We were able to sit for them for three weeks (due to our own departure date from Melbourne) and, although they had boarded out their dog Marley for the period, we provided security for their home. Many home owners do not like their home to look empty as by having sitters the lawns and gardens are maintained, mail collected and people coming and going from the property. We are more than likely going to sit again for them late 2013.
Finding Assignments
As we were nearing the end of our trip around Australia we sold our caravan while in Queensland. House sitting became a very good option for us. 
We applied for a house sit position in Sydney but again we were not successful. However, two days prior to the sit beginning we received an email asking if we could assist and we agreed. We arrived in Sydney and stayed overnight in a hotel and went to meet the home owners and had dinner with them and received a hand over. At this sit we cared for two Shiatsu/poodles. They were so well trained that we were amazed. Cleo would try and jump on our bed at night and soon knew that there was much more room on Gill's side of the bed than on Peter's where he would get told to get down! Unfortunately for Petra she couldn't jump up on to the bed so would have to stay in her bed. Both beds were placed in the master bedroom at night as requested by the owners. We stayed in Stanhope Gardens for a week and took the opportunity to take the train into the CBD in Sydney. We have been to Sydney many times but enjoyed being able to take our time and explore both the city and the Blue Mountains area which was close by.
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