We run a self sufficient small holding with various animals so we need house sitters who like and have some experience with animals. We have pigs, sheep, donkeys, chickens, geese and rabbits. We also have 2 dogs and 3 cats who are all very friendly. In short, we are looking for practical, autonomous, caring housesitters.
The property is down a private drive and is therefore quiet and secluded but it is a short drive from a large historic town (Auch) and close to several small and interesting villages with all necessary amenities. The house is spacious and recently renovated in traditional style maintaining many of the historic features of a water mill but with all modern conveniences (WIFI/UK TV, dishwasher etc). The neighbours (400m away) are helpful if needed but discreet. We are in the heart of Gascony the land of Armagnac, Cotes de Gascogne wine, fois gras and the 3 Musketeers. The area is famous for local markets and historic small villages and towns. There is skiing in the Pyrenees (1.5hrs), Toulouse (1hr), Tarbes and Lourdes (1.5hrs) and the Med or Atlantic (2.5hrs).
Tasks include feeding and watering the pigs twice daily, making sure the sheep and donkeys have water, feeding and watering the rabbits and letting the chickens out of their house and putting them back at night (they go in by themselves). The jobs take no longer than 30 minutes in the morning and 5 in the evening. The dogs appreciate walks and the cats lots of attention. We heat the property with a wood burning boiler so this needs to be loaded a couple of times a day to maintain the heating and hot water.
Housesitters need to be aware that the property is a water mill so there are mill leats that bring the water to and from the house and a small lake. Water mills by nature are built in river valleys therefore in case of prolonged heavy rain, the sluice gates need opening and closing and water levels need monitoring.