41. Folkstone - House and Pet Sitting - Episode 3

 A simple train ride from Oxford to Folkstone -  what could go wrong?

Nothing! At first...

We had to change trains in London and as it had been a long morning walking the dogs and cleaning up to exit house sit 2, neither of us was quite onto it. When we got on the train in London to go to Folkstone, we breathed a sigh of relief as the train pulled out of the station. 

Max and I were sitting diagonally across from each other with another person sitting next to each of us. As the trip progressed, something in my mind didn't feel quite right. We were going past the right stations, but looking at the train timetable on the app, I felt a lump in my throat. I said to Max "I think we're on the wrong train" as calmly as I could. The woman directly across from me tuned in and asked as to where we were going, to which I replied "Folkstone". She confirmed we were on the wrong train BUT, luckily, she also said we were able to connect with the correct train at the next station. Panic averted.  And what an angel she was! Dodged a bullet there!

We got picked up at the station by the home owners partner in the smallest car we'd seen so far. We piled in with our luggage in top of us and and he took us back to the apartment. 

We looked at the front and thought, "Cool!". Then went down some narrow steps to the tiny lower flat.  "Oh!" These apartments are fine if you're a tiny old lady living by yourself, but for us two lumps and our our luggage?  Oy veh!

We met the two poodles and got our bearings.  The owner has sold the place and had started packing boxes, which rendered bedroom 2 inaccessible. Well, we thought house sit '1' in London had stuff everywhere. This one blitzed that. 

After the owner left, we started rearranging things as there were boxes of 'stuff' EVERYWHERE. We had to turn sideways to get through the passage. The kitchen cupboards and fridge were packed to overflowing with over hundreds of soft drink cans and bottles, out-of-date chocolate bars, biscuits and sweets. Out-of-date food, sauces and herbs filled the cupboards to the brim. 

"Feel free to put your food in there too" she said. "Where?" we wondered.  We piled the cans and "treats" into crates and stuffed them under a table to make room in the fridge. 

"Is this a common trait in England?" we asked ourselves.

Back to the house sit. Barney is 16 years young with failing eyesight and hearing, but what energy! He loves his walks and as soon as we picked up the leads to walk them, he barked in a way that sounded like he was being tortured, but was actually pure joy! Alfie has a mind of his own and disobeyed commands constantly, but his cuteness saved him. He's needy and constantly wants attention. Having said that, it's been so easy being with smaller dogs so the stay has been more laid back than the previous gig.

Barney and Alfie

Now we are all comfortable, we can get out and about and check out the area which includes Folkstone, Dover, Canterbury and Hythe. Posts on these areas to come soon.

 After 10 days, we said goodbye to the two boys. Another house sit completed and at this stage, we have another 3 booked over the next month.