A ‘new adventure looming’ was my caption today on an Instagram post. Since we have moved to Europe, we have welcomed many new adventures that crossed our path. Sometimes it can lead to a surprisingly different lifestyle as it has done for us now.
If you would have told me a year ago that we would be in this position, I would have never believed it. It has never crossed my mind we would commit to something like this.
How a housesit became a new adventure
We love doing the odd house sit, probably 2-3 per year. It is a lifestyle we can embrace because I work online and only need a stable internet. My virtual job has allowed me to work in 5 countries so far. To clarify, my job is based in the UK but I live in France.
During 2021 we have done three house sits – one in Spain and two in France. The housesit in Denia, Spain turned out to be much longer than we anticipated. The reason was that the homeowners could not return from the UK due to covid restrictions. In fact, they needed to find replacement sitters to let us go. It ended up being a 9-week house sit instead of 5 weeks.
After returning we decided we should concentrate on France as it would be more accessible as we live in France. The Spanish housesit cost us close to 600 euro due to covid tests for us and our daughter who came to visit for Christmas.
During the summer of 2021 we did two house sits and both were in a different part of France. New territory for us and it gave us the opportunity to explore new areas. On the first house sit we replaced the couple that worked as caretakers of a rather big estate. The house was for sale and the people who came to view it bought it.
From house sitters to becoming caretakers
To cut the chase, they asked us if we would like to become the new caretakers of this estate. After a weekend debating with the help of visiting friends, we decided to prepare a proposal. We based the proposal on what we reckoned it would take to maintain this 16 HA property.
We proposed what we thought was fair but if it did not happen, it would be fine. Guess what, the new owners approved the proposal without a single objection. In fact, they even congratulated my husband on the quality of his proposal. I suppose as a seasoned IT project manager, writing big budget proposals is not new to him.
So, to finalise the story, the house will exchange in the beginning of December. We are moving there the same day to become officially the caretakers of this gorgeous property La Bourdette. I will keep my current job and assist in the gardening while my husband will be riding a tractor lawn mower, maintain a huge pool and tackle what else comes his way.
We will be living in an annexe of the main house and have our own outdoor area and views. I can potter in the gardens, grow vegetables and have an outdoor area – an exciting prospect to say the least.
Would you call this a new adventure or what?
Please leave me a comment and get in touch if you dream of making a lifestyle change, but do not know HOW!
Wat leuk Marijke, wat een geweldig avontuur!
Heel cerj succes en plezier.
Ja, zo denk ik er ook over. Een probleem, hoe krijgen we nederlandse kaas?
Sounds wonderful….a fab adventure.
Yes, it feels like a new adventure with more opportunities.
How wonderful to live in such a home. It sounds as if it was just made for you.. perfect!!
I hope you have a most enjoyable experience living there.
Where exactly is it. ??
Well to be honest, I can see you living here. I know I will have enormous fun with the gardening there and the new hikes.
Hoi Marijke, wat een prachtig verhaal en hoe mooi jullie avontuur een vervolg krijgt. Ik wens jullie een mooie tijd in goede gezondheid. Lieve groet! 😘
Ja, we hebben erg veel zon in dit nieuwe avontuur! Groetjes.
Exiting! Keeping life on its toes . . . They are lucky to have you!
Time will tell, but I think we will be a good match!
That is my dream situation. Living somewhere fabulous and getting to enjoy it without the worry of the mortgage. How lovely for you both.
Onya Keith for the proposal. Maybe my IT skills will be useful one day too! We miss you guys.
Haha, this mortgage would be a killer! Like this a perfect scenario. Lovely to hear from you.
Sounds fantastic Marijke, they are lucky to have you and Keith, you will be great. I’m still hoping to catch up with you one day when we can travel again. Good luck, hope it goes really well for you both 😀💖🍷🌻
That would be great. Such a long time ago. The kids have grown up, have degrees, jobs and their own life.
Hi Marijke. Somehow I lost touch with you and your blog posts. I’m so glad that I saw this on FB. It sounds like you’ve been busy, and have found an exciting new adventure. I’m so happy for you! We bought an apartment, in a historic building, here in Chiatura, Georgia. Our travels have been limited lately, since as Americans, we cannot yet visit the EU countries. Love to stay in touch. Thanks for sharing such an interesting post. xx
I will be around more in my blog, on IG and FB. Good luck in your apartment.
That sounds perfect for you and Keith. Very exciting! Congrats.
Yes, it seems an interesting adventure.
I think you’ll have a wonderful time Marijke.
Go for it!!
I bet we will see you there at one stage!