Bringing home owners and house sitters together
Sitter available
Hello, we are Barend and Ellen from the Netherlands and we are looking forward to help you out..
Netherlands
Testimonials
They have 6 testimonials (view below)
Pet experience
Dog(s), Cat(s), Chicken(s), Rabbit(s), Farm animal(s), Other animal(s) – In 32 years we had 3 lovely dogs of our own. They behaved very well and we loved them as our 'third child'.
Police check
They don't have a police check
Availability
From: 4 Jan 2024
Until: 1 Jan 2027
Occupation
Healthcare-secretary/Clinical Neurophysiology technician, both retired
References
They have referees/references (view below)
About this sitter
We are a sporty, easy going couple, enjoying our pension after 40 years of working in a hospital. We are free to go now and, outside the time we spend with our (grand-)children, family and friends, we like to travel to other countries. At home we go out by bike or make trips with the motorcycle.
Beside native dutch we speak english, german and basic french.
Why they want to house sit
Housesitting is a nice way to explore how people live in other countries. We love animals and we had 3 dogs during 32 years; Heidewachtel Gijs, Golden Retriever Teun and Labrador Daan. When Daan past away we started traveling more and that is why we don't have a dog of our own now. Looking after animals of other people will give us the opportunity to spent time with them, give them our love and take care as we did to our own.
Their experience
Since 2018 we did several housesits in France, before we became member of Mindmyhouse in June 2019. That's why there are just a view testimonials on our listing.
In 2021 and 2022 we did a housesit in Italy for 7 weeks and in France for 4 weeks in 2020 and 2021. Both, in Italy and France, we were asked by the same people again. Last october 2022 we did a housesit for other people, also in France. At all sits we took care for the cats, big garden and swimmingpool.
In 2019 we had our first sit through Mindmyhouse in France, which was realy an expirience. We took care on a farm with lot of animals: chickens, ducks, sheep, rabbits, 2 cats and 1 dog.
In 2018 we were the managers of a chateau in France with 8 apartments in wintertime (Nov - Dec 2018).
We did all te work that was needed inside and around the chateau and in the big botanic garden. We welcomed the, mostly French, guests and made sure that everything was fine during their stay.
Skills are for example; engine mowing, wood sawing with a chainsaw, leafblowing, chopping firewood and heating with biomass heater (pellet-stove) and swimmingpool maintenance.
What can they bring to the assignment
We are interested in other people and the way they are living. We like the Burgundian way of live. We are reliable, very caring, clean and with a great feeling of responsebility.
Pet(s), house and garden will be taken care of as if they were our own.
Last updated:
27 Feb 2024
Available to house sit
Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland
Availability dates
From: 4 Jan 2024
Until: 1 Jan 2027
Do they charge?
They don't charge for house sitting services
Personal details
Age: 66-75 years old
Family status:
Couple
References
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Sitemap
MindMyHouse.com – https://www.mindmyhouse.com/owners/sitter_listing/43445
Testimonials
Testimonial
Ellen and Barend house-sat for me from April 15 to May 15. They updated me regularly on how things were going and the tasks I had requested them to perform. They went way beyond my expectation in looking after the hens, Grizou, the cat, the garden and the house. When I returned, the house was spotless, the garden watering system set up, the plants planted and fertilised, the laundry all done, everything left in perfect order. And this despite a washing machine no longer functioning! I have no hesitation in recommending them to anyone looking for reliable, careful and caring house-sitters. They are. the best
Jeremy, France, 27 May 2024
Ellen and Barend were just great!
Ellen and Barend arrived with big, friendly smiles, keen to understand everything about our house and help out however they could. They clearly took very good care of our cats, sending us regular updates and photos. We returned home to a sparklingly clean and tidy house, and really couldn't have asked for anything more. We'd be very happy to have them house sit again.
Ruth, Italy, 31 May 2023
They are wonderful house sitters
Ellen and Barend looked after our house in Italy with a large garden including a cat for 7 weeks in the summer of 2021. We had a very good feeling from the start. Despite the great heat, they took excellent care of everything. They did a great job of looking after the garden, although it was time-consuming because of the drought. There was a lot to do, tomato patches, more vegetable patches that had to be watered every day and even the many lavenders needed water every now and then. Ellen and Barend took great care of our many perennials. They informed us about all the important things or called us when technical problems arose, so we could easily find a solution, e.g. there were difficulties with the water supply (the water pressure had dropped significantly). Together with a neighbor, they got things under control very well. As we could see in the pictures sent to us, our cat was happy and satisfied. We would be very glad if they could come back next year, then we can enjoy our vacation relaxed and delighted.
Kristin, Italy, 15 Nov 2021
Housesitters from Heaven
Some house sitters are good, some are better and some are wonderful. Ellen and Barend are in the final category, exceptionally wonderful. Our previously chosen house sitters pulled out at the last moment because of illness and Ellen and Barend said they'd come instead. We were away for five weeks and we returned to find the house much improved. Barend had repaired our 120 metre drive (it had been damaged in a storm before they arrived) and the house was impeccably clean. Not only that, they had chopped wood, mown the lawns and generally managed our large property with skill and determination. And our cat Pepin made instant friends - since they left he has kept on asking when they're coming back. We can wholeheartedly recommend Ellen and Barend. You will be lucky if they come to look after your house.
Chris, France, 15 Nov 2021
Ellen & Barend are the perfect housesitters. As soon as we met we immediately felt we had made the right decision. You couldn't wish for a more conscientious couple and you can rest assured that whilst you're away everything will be taken care of beautifully and there will be no cause to worry. They were both very capable & did a superb job caring for our chickens & our female cat Honey, sending photos & texts regularly throughout the 4 weeks we were away and when we arrived home the house was very clean & tidy & the plants and flowers all watered and healthy. We were very impressed and would have no hesitation in having them return in the future.
Julie & Mark, France, 3 Sep 2020
House sit in the Charente Maritime
Ellen and Barend house sat for us for 2 weeks when we went to Tenerife. They kept in touch with us the whole time. Unfortunately they had to deal with some ducks dieing which was tough for them, but they dealt with it well. All the animals were well fed and happy on our return and the house was clean and tidy. They were friendly and easy going. We spent a nice evening with them before we left sharing a meal. We wish them well on their travels.
erica, France, 14 Nov 2019