Hi everyone.
William & I are planning a French cycle touring trip this coming year:
May 27th - end of June 2024 (tbc)
We are hoping to find someone who is interested in house/pet sitting for us whilst we are away.
This is a month-long break so is ideal for someone looking for a longer 'sit'.
We have 1 soft & very well behaved, cuddly border terrier called Bertie (9) and a friendly cat, George (10) who is as easy going as any cat in the world. Both pets are really affectionate and we are looking for a sitter(s) who will love them back!
We live in a lovely place, in a small quiet village, just on the edge of the Snowdonia National Park and close to the North Wales coast with it's super beaches. The historic walled-town of Conwy with it's castle and harbour, is just a 10 minute drive up the Conwy Valley.
The house is a moderately sized modern semi detached 3 bed in a little cul de sac. It has a small south facing front garden and the rear paved garden overlooks the river Dulyn. Our neighbours are very friendly and supportive.
Locally we have some really supportive friends who will be available if there's a problem.
The area is excellent for all outdoor interests - with hiking paths galore, but the area has plenty on offer for anyone keen on history too or just visiting nice places! There are beautiful landscapes and attractions to visit aplenty such as the NT Bodnant Garden, Zip World and Adventure Parc Snowdonia. Betws Y Coed is 9 miles drive away and the mountains start at our doorstep!
The village has some limited amenities - a post office cum shop, a tiny butchers, a couple of pubs, and a bus stop with services running up and down the valley. We are situated on the 'B' road that runs north to Conwy and the coastal A55 road (an easy 6 miles away, 10mins in the car) and south to Betws Y Coed. The main amenities are on the coast where there are plenty of supermarkets, cinemas, theatres etc and are all within 10 - 15 minutes drive.
This is a rural location so would be pretty handy for anyone interested to have the use of a car whilst here for reasons of exploration and getting around generally - and you'll certainly get more out of your visit if you do. But the bus service is pretty good (with bus stops just around the corner), and there is a train station 2 miles away that runs the length of the Conwy Valley to the coast.
The house has a drive with space for one car.
Supermarkets will deliver to this address - Asda, Tesco etc.
We also have a good Internet provision - many of our previous sitters have worked from home.
Walking Bertie daily is an essential requirement for this sit as he is used to going reasonably long walks (3 miles a day) - or at least to be out and about for an hour or so a day. He is easily capable of a 4 hour or day-long hike and you are spoilt for choice here as many paths - through woods, up gorges, and across small rivers - go straight from our front door (though most walks do go uphill!) But you could drive out a short distance - or take a bus - and then many more options become available.
Bertie is used to us both being around most of the time... he is really easy and quiet, but just needs someone to be relaxed with him in the house, giving him his grub twice a day, and keeping him company (on the sofa!).
Bertie is very used to being on a bus or train and is also very happy and relaxed being in a pub or cafe.
We are happy for Bertie to be left alone occasionally in the house for a few hours if you go out, but he is used to going out pretty much everywhere with us and is very calm and well socialised.
As this is a touristy area right on the edge of Snowdonia National Park, there is much in offer locally, including Zip World with its Hilton Garden Inn, less than a mile away.
Keeping the house clean and tidy is a given - but it's an easy house to keep clean to be fair.
Some occasional light gardening will be needed (watering plants, running the mower over a couple of times etc) - though the garden is pretty small, so again this isn't an onerous task.
We have some bird feeders that will need topping up too.
For more info please get in touch.
I found it very easy to communicate with Clare and Bill whilst arranging and during the house sit.
They were very welcoming on my arrival and it was a pleasure to look after Bertie, Maggie and George for them.
I unfortunately had to restrict the amount of walking I did as I had an accident shortly after arriving in Tal-y-Bont but their home was a very comfortable one in which to relax.
I however used the buses and trains in the area to sightsee in both Llandudno and the Snowdon mountain ... MORE
