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Globetrotting Kiwis

Jim and Thelma McSkimming, New Zealand retirees, are thrilled to find they are able to fulfill their travel dreams by becoming house sitters. With the support of their family, they are globetrotting, providing necessary services and experiencing many different cultures and lifestyles.

(PRWEB) August 31, 2005 -- Jim and Thelma McSkimming, New Zealand retirees, are thrilled to find they are able to fulfill their travel dreams by becoming house sitters. With the support of their family, they are globetrotting, providing necessary services and experiencing many different cultures and lifestyles.

“We have house sat in a lovely Rectory in County Cork, Ireland. We have looked after an African Grey Parrot in Macclesfield, near Manchester, and we became very attached to him,” the McSkimmings report. Jim and Thelma McSkimming have a love for animals and were pleased with a house sit they recently came from. “We stayed in a beautiful 200 year old stone cottage, which was previously a flour mill, in South Wales. We minded pigs, geese, miniature Dexter cattle and two adorable Border Collies.”

When asked why they enrolled with Ian White at HouseCarers.com, they were quick to point out how house sitting answered their prayers. “We knew we couldn’t afford accommodations for prolonged periods, and we thought it would be a good way to experience living in another country. We wanted to see and do things other than from a tourist perspective,” they said.

Jim and Thelma McSkimming enrolled as house sitters with Ian White at HouseCarers.com in November of 2004. They have found more than enough clients to meet their travel needs. “We are in the UK for only five months, and we will have five housesits, averaging a couple of weeks in each one.” They have found each of the home owners to be gracious and warm, and their experiences were “normal and enjoyable.”

When asked about the requirements of being a good house sitter, the McSkimmings report most anyone could do it. “Apart from the obvious character traits, such as respecting other people’s property and privacy, you need a love of animals and you would need to be able to adapt to different styles or standards of living.”

Those who seek out the services of a house sitter can include families which own a second home or vacation homes. Individuals who travel due to business are also turning to house sitters. Reports tell us that house sitters do not have trouble being matched with a home owner, as the need is great. The McSkimmings echoed this by reporting they have been forced to turn down house sitting jobs because they had a prior commitment, or it did not fit into their schedule.

You can reach HouseCarers by clicking here. HouseCarers maintains an updated registry of house sitters and home owners from around the world. HouseCarers is bridging the gap between home owners and sitters. Home owners find a wonderful, dependable house sitter, and sitters are able to travel the world. This is a win-win situation for everyone involved.