A three-hour drive east brought us to the outskirts of Royal Tunbridge Wells. The owners welcomed us and introduced us to the animals we were to look after over the next 3 weeks. It seems we have our work cut out as the pets include 8 ducks, 6 Alpacas, 3 chickens, 2 dogs and 2 cats. The only thing missing is a partridge in a pear tree!
The house is of an 'Oast' design that incorporates cylindrical sections used many years ago to dry hops for beer brewing. A fire was lit in the lower central area and heat travelled up and released from the flue at the apex of the 'cone'. The flue has a wind vane that rotates to chase wind direction
Royal Tunbridge Wells has many dwellings that incorporate Oasts.
The view from the back. The Oast ground floor sections comprise of (L to R) Dining room, Bedroom 4, and Music room. The upper floors are Bedrooms 1 to 3.
One of the first-floor bedrooms situated in an Oast 'cone'
The pets have been wonderful. Stanley is 4 years old and followed me everywhere on the farmlet. He loved his walks and swims in a pond nearby. Hetty is a large 14 year old doodle. She's got a wonderful calm nature however given she is totally deaf, makes it awkward when calling bedtime! The cats are rescues but quite friendly and responsive. The alpacas basically look after themselves as there's enough grass in the paddocks to keep them happy. All I had to do was to keep water up to them. The chooks and ducks gave us daily eggs and were easy to manage. Their daily routine incorporates early starts as the ducks start quacking quite early, ensuring no sleep-ins!
Stanley
Hetty
Dibble (who we've named Officer Dibble
for those of you who remember Top Cat)
Tilly
The Alpacas
Dennis has a special mention as he was 22 years old. He was at 'that age' and unfortunately passed away on our watch. He was a lovely, gentle creature who'd let you come up and give him a pat.
The cats have full run of the kitchen so no food can be left out and, as the dogs sleep in the kitchen, they too will take advantage. On the morning after the first night, Max found the remains of a 1kg bag of peas with evidence found in both dog beds. Stanley tends to change sleeping arrangements once we turn off the lights. We have found him on the comfy chair many a time when he least expects it.
(And rightly so, in our opinion)
And Dibble thinks he can't be seen surveilling the dining table
We are quite familiar with the area as we have been to these parts previously visiting Daniel and Ellen or taking on other sits meaning we haven't got out much to see new places. We've tended to just go to villages we have frequented in the past. The south-east of England is a favourite area of mine.
A unique form of car security
Daniel and Ellen came over for a yummy Max-prepared lunch. T'was good to see them.
Blackberry picking was also on the menu for the day.
We will miss the area as apart from it being beautiful, the neighbours were wonderful, the animals were a joy to be around and the house was spacious and comfortable. Onwards we go!
Hey Max and Paul, great to read you are still enjoying your house sits. Gosh how long have you been doing them now?
ReplyDeleteInteresting to see Inside the oast cone! Much love xxx
Two years of travel. Eighteen months of pet sitting
Deletelove it Paul and Max, so special to hear all about the animals, their personalities, and unfortunately their toilet issues after Peas.... ha ha Max, I feel for you, had a similar instance with looking after a little dog recently xoxoxo
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DeleteSo good to see all this! What a unique abode...Enjoying your tales Paul and Max. Love, Ian and Som xoxo
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DeleteNever a dull moment Ian!
DeleteThis sit looked idyllic. What gorgeous animals. Glen xx
ReplyDeleteThey really were x
DeleteWhat a fabulous house. There's a bit of money there, me thinks. Aww poor Dennis. How did you manage when he passed? Did a vet come along like a funeral director? You've got a good looking boy Max and Paul and he's lovely too. Where are you off next? xxx
ReplyDeleteIt was a very sad evening for us. We sat with him until it got quite late and then covered him and hoped he'd pass quickly. It was awful we had to leave him but there was nothing we could do. No vet, sadly. Thanks for your kind words. We are now in a little town near Sevenoaks with Agent Mabel, a British shorthair.
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