Darlington, North East England

About this house sitting position in Darlington

Alfie, our cat, has free access to the woods and farmland surrounding our home, but loves to have someone at home to come back to, and of course to feed him. So, he has asked us, Jo & Ian, to find him someone to look after him and his friends when we are away. Humpty the tortoise also likes someone to feed and talk to him, whereas Tom and Dick, the fish, just want feeding.
Nags Head Farm is a large, old house, which is no longer a farm. Over 300 years ago it was a drovers inn on the old north road heading to Darlington. We are situated 2 miles outside of Darlington, in a cluster of 9 homes, so rural, but not remote. The neighbours are very friendly, but we don't want to impose on them, hence the need for a cat sitter. The house has a large garden and vegetable plot which is regularly opened under the National Gardens Scheme and a 3 acre wood. The garden is sunny with plenty of places to sit, or there is a large conservatory. Weather dependent we would like someone to water the plants, but are not looking for any other gardening to be done. There is an aga for cooking, which if you are not used to it simply means don't rely on cooking times, but check it regularly.... The house creaks, the water pipes rattle and the wind howls down the chimneys in a storm, but the solid walls keep the place safe and sound as they have since 1600's. There is an en-suite bedroom available, or another with its own bathroom, and free use of the rest of the house. Darlington has a mainline rail station, ~ 2 miles away. The house is on a daytime bus route (Nags Head bus stop) but the bus is expensive and timing variable. You can walk into town, but the first 3/4 mile is on uneven grass verges along an A road, so care is needed, although there is an alternate, longer footpath. Therefore a car is preferable.
When compiling local information for our sitters we were amazed by the variety of places to visit locally - we forget what a wonderful area we live in. Within a day trip you could get to Newcastle, Durham or York for city visits, or to countless local market towns in the Yorkshire Dales, North York Moors, the Pennines or even the Lake District. There are a huge range of walking options in all those local areas, plus coastal walks along the north east coast - from Whitby to Northumberland. Hadrian's wall and the Scottish Borders are also well within reach.
Alfie is free to come and go as he wishes, so you are not tied to any timetable, as he is used to us being out and about. In good weather he is out more, and in bad weather he finds a comfy spot to sleep indoors. He is fit and healthy. Alfie is very good natured, and can be stroked / picked up, but seldom sit on laps, except when you watch TV. If he wants attention he will seek you out, and will definitely tell you if he wants fresh food. He is, unfortunately, a good hunter, so you need to be prepared to clear up dead mice, birds or even rabbits - and very occasionally 'encourage' the cat to take a live one back out. There can be a 'gift' a day, or nothing for a week... Humpty has a secure pen, and needs feeding once or twice a day, weather dependent - he is solar powered and loves to be talked to. The fish just need a little food once or twice a day. The plants are probably the most work! We have a lot of pots, which need watering regularly, and between the pots, the greenhouse and polytunnel something will need watering daily. We would give you guidance based on the forecast, but it can be up to an hour per evening in the heat of summer (!), based on doing some each day. Any fruit or vegetables which ripen during your stay can be eaten. We have no problem with you being out and about during your stay. The animals are completely used to being fed whenever we happen to be in.
Please note we only have basic wifi which is fine for emails, browsing and watching Netflix etc, but not for gaming and there are slow download/upload speeds. Read more...

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