Returning to Where Our Housesitting Adventure Began

At the end of June we returned to the farm in southern Ontario where our incredible housesitting adventure began in 2009. At the time we were simply doing a favour for good friends, but oh, goodness, we never expected it would morph into an exciting and uber satisfying retirement lifestyle!

Our view from the kitchen table - a peacock at the bird feeder

Bar Harbor, Maine

The day after we arrived in Toronto from London (Gatwick) we drove to Bar Harbor, Maine via Sherbrooke, Quebec to spend the first weekend in June with our daughter and son-in-law. We stayed in a lovely two-bedroom townhouse at the Bayview. 

Cambridge

Two days before our return to Canada on May 31 we toured Cambridge, England both on foot and via a punt on the River Cam. One of the most photographed facades in the city is King's College founded in 1441 by Henry VI (1421-71). 

The Broads

The Broads, England's largest protected wetlands, encompasses more than 125 miles of "safe, enchanting waterways" most of it less than 4 metres (13 feet) deep and during our housesit in Attleborough in May we explored a small portion via a boat cruise.

Ely

Ely is a short 39-minute train ride west of Attleborough and we visited this lovely East Cambridgeshire cathedral town twice during May. Named after the Isle of Eels Ely is located in the Fens, a naturally marshy area of eastern England. Most of the fens were drained centuries ago, leaving the region a valuable agricultural region. Below is the Ely eel. The real live fish is much smaller in scale, was a vital food source for Ely residents for centuries, and is now a delicacy.

Norwich

Our Attleborough housesit allowed us plenty of opportunity to explore the surrounding countryside and travelling via the Abellio Greater Anglia train line (thank you, Chris!) made the journey both enjoyable and easy. Norwich is a short hop from Attleborough and the entire train trip takes under 25 minutes one way. The Norwich train station (below) is conveniently located on the River Wensum.

Housesitting With Gorgeous George

For eighteen delightful days this past May, 2016 we housesat for a lovely couple in their beautiful home in a Norfolk village and immediately fell under the spell of their Birman cat, George. What a cutie!