Bringing home owners and house sitters together
Sitter available
The Travelling Millburys
France
Testimonials
They have 12 testimonials (view below)
Pet experience
Dog(s), Cat(s), Chicken(s), Bird(s), Fish, Rodent(s), Pig(s)
Police check
They have a police check
Availability
From: 28 Sep 2025
Until: 6 Oct 2030
(see their busy times below)
Occupation
Retired from healthcare
References
They have referees/references (view below)
About this sitter
Hello, we're Michele n cj - The Travelling Millburys!
We are retired healthcare workers and are enjoying our new lives by travelling and house/pet-sitting. We're new to this site, but have been on others and are experienced, having started in the summer of 2022. We have several testimonials and reviews that we'll try to bring over to this site.
EDIT to say: Our Facebook page now has a dedicated photo album of screenshots of our reviews, open to anyone who wants to peruse, titled "References and Reviews." And anyone can follow us, as well! (a few more have been added!)
We are nearing the end of our first year of our long-stay visas for France and are hoping our application for renewal is granted. The process to get these to begin with is rather in-depth, including fingerprints and, we are clean!
EDIT: Our visa renewals have been granted!
We've had gigs in Canada (where we started as we are Canucks), England, Spain, Italy, and of course, France. A few of these are repeats as those we've sat for are satisfied and we so enjoyed them, as well.
We like long-ish sits because it helps us better learn about the area, culture, meeting people, and so on. And, we believe it's a more economically AND ecologically sound way to travel.
Why they want to house sit
What better way to explore the world and help people out at the same time?! And, as there is usually a pet or two involved, get to have companions!
Their experience
We are experienced pet owners, having had cats and dogs over the years. There have been bouts of poultry and swine ownership, too. In terms of pet-sitting, we've looked after geriatric cats, young cats, older dogs, young dogs, fish, pet birds and pea fowl, even.
We've administered oral meds, taken a cat to the vet for an infected wound that the Dr thought was from a cat bite (cone of shame, oral antibiotics and wound care), and most recently, dressing a dog's paw post-op of a toe amputation.
In terms of housing, we've been home owners and renters, had houses with wells and septic systems, wood stoves and fireplaces, are pro-recycling, pro-composting, and can affect small repairs around the place, too.
What can they bring to the assignment
Seems to have been mostly said above.
We both have our French driving permits, but don't have a vehicle. We depend on trains and ferries, and for remote sits, the owners have always been happy to pick us up or bring us back to the station, for which we are always grateful.
Et, monsieur est bilingue!
Last updated:
31 Mar 2025
Available to house sit
Countries: Africa, Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Caribbean, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Nepal, Netherlands, New Zealand, North East Asia, Norway, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South East Asia, South Korea, South Pacific, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Kingdom, Vietnam
Availability dates
From: 28 Sep 2025
Until: 6 Oct 2030
They have indicated that they are busy at the following times:
4 Nov 2024 to 23 Sep 2025, 4 Dec 2025 to 3 Jan 2026
Do they charge?
They don't charge for house sitting services
Personal details
Age: 56-65 years old
Family status:
Couple
Languages spoken: English and French
Membership
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Where have they house sat before?
References
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Sitemap
MindMyHouse.com – https://www.mindmyhouse.com/owners/sitter_listing/60485
Testimonials
It was a joy to welcome back CJ and Michele
It was a joy to welcome back for a second time CJ and Michele. The animals and house were well looked after and we really appreciated the fact that my daughter overlapped their stay and it wasn't a problem for them. If you need a sitter, don't hesitate. Thank you for the welcome home dinner and I'm looking forward to trying out the creamed corn recipe.🤩
Caroline, United Kingdom, 07 March, 2025(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
Another successful housesit!
Another successful housesit! Michelle and CJ make themselves at home with no fuss and bother! Our dog remembered them and was very happy that they had returned, so much so that I think he found our return totally underwhelming! Thank you for the welcome home supper and our introduction to Canadian "comfort food" delicacy of toasted sandwiches with gravy. It was not quite how our post holiday diet was planned !! We hope that the rest of your 'gypsy' wanderings go well.
Christopher, France, 06 February, 2025(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
Pre-Christmas dog/house site.
By sheer fluke, Michelle and CJ needed a short house sit in the lead up to Christmas and we had been let down so it suited us both perfectly. Michelle and CJ are friendly, fun people and we felt like we had old friends to stay. They listened and asked questions if there was anything they didn't understand. Stig and Basil took to them both and were rather spoilt if truth be known. We were very busy with 2 trips- 1 to the sales with a quick turnaround and then visit the UK. CJ and Michelle have been very supportive and patient with unforseen hot water water problem. They have taken really nice care of the house and we are extremely grateful. Can't recommend them more and hope they will come visit again! Thank you both :)
Debra, France, 23 Dec 2024
An amazing pet sit
An amazing pet sit! Michelle & Cj are a fantastic couple. They arrived a few days early and joined us for Christmas day. This was the first time we had left our dogs in the care of anyone for such a long period of time. We were a little apprehensive, but there was honestly no need to be; they took on board fully our routines, likes and particular needs of each dog. They certainly got to know their characters! We had excellent communication throughout with messages and photos. All dogs, at all times, looked happy = happy doggy parents. Our house was well cared for and was very clean on our return plus we had a lively meal prepared for us. If they ever ask to pet sit for you, then accept them!
Jenette, France, 22 November, 2024(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
A fabulous couple
What a fabulous couple. Michele and CJ looked after our greyhound, saluki and home for over three weeks. We arrived home to find it clean and tidy with two contented dogs. They are everything you could want when searching for someone to take care of your home and pets. Can't thank them enough and hope to find them available to cover us for another holiday.
Lesley, France, 05 November, 2024(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
We highly recommend them
What a fantastic couple Michele & CJ are brilliant. We warmed to them from the first conversation we had and this was immediately confirmed when we had a video call. Everything went smoothly. The house was spotlessly clean and fresh when we returned. The garden was well watered and everything had survived, which is no small feat in a Spanish summer. Tom was clearly very happy with them. He was missing them after they left. We would not hesitate to have them back to sit in the future. If they apply to sit for you we highly recommend them.
Stuart & Denise, Spain, 02 July, 2024(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
A pleasure
This is the second time they have stayed with Billy and it was a pleasure to return to a happy and content dog and we are already discussing another visit.
Anna, United Kingdom, 19 March, 2024(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
Fantastic couple
Another fantastic couple who took amazing care of our pets and our house. Thank you for the gorgeous meal on our return especially after such a difficult journey back home. We would welcome you anytime back to our home. Super special people. Thanks again. Xx
Caroline, United Kingdom, 07 March, 2024(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
We unreservedly recommend them
We were delighted to welcome Michèle and CJ to our home. As expected, Harry took a few days to become accustomed to them. Once established he showed his true colours and really enjoyed their company as his new best friends! CJ took him on long walks and extensive brushing sessions, so that he looked in very good form when we got home. We were sorry that the heating was unreliable but glad there were plenty of logs available. We unreservedly recommend them to others and hopefully, Michèle and CJ will be available next year for our next trip away.
Christopher, France, 07 February, 2024(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
We would love to have Michele and CJ back
If you have an opportunity to book Michele and CJ to look after your home/pets, do it! They are a delightful couple who clearly enjoyed looking after our dog, Sunny, and our home while we were away for a month. On our return, we found our home spotless, a delicious nourishing meal awaiting us, and a dog who had clearly bonded with our sitters. Communication before and during their stay was prompt and informative. We would love to have Michele and CJ back and highly recommend them to others.
Donna, Canada, 25 September, 2023(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
Thank you so much
We cannot have envisaged such a wonderful couple staying and restoring our faith in the housesitting community after such a bad first experience. Our cats were happy and we had plenty of communication. They arrived as strangers and left as friends. House was spotless and they even went out of their way to cook a delightful meal upon our return. Truly above and beyond what we expected. Thank you so much
Jennie, France, 05 May, 2023(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
We recommend them without reservation
Michele and CJ are wonderful sitters, for your house, for your dog, for your peace of mind. Billy our dog clearly loved his time with them and has learned from his time with them and is all the better for their visit. Our house was returned to us immaculately clean. They went out of their way to look after everything. We recommend them without reservation.
Anna, United Kingdom, 15 February, 2023(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)