Today, Wednesday 24th September, we’re celebrating the Forum’s 5th birthday.
For 5 fantastic years, you have been connecting with each other, offering tips, recommendations and advice about pets, travel, housesitting and so much more.
Thank you to everyone for your amazing contribution over the years.
Let’s take a look at a handful of forum highlights;
It feels like such a long time ago, but at the end of 2020, some of our original members looked back on the year where the world seemed to stand still and reflected on reasons to be thankful.
In 2024, @Rhe started a discussion about some of the amazing experiences and homes that you’ve sat in, including fully stocked wine fridges and an indoor swimming pool..
@Lilywize started this discussion where members shared some of the fantastic experiences they’d had.
Looking ahead, I’m excited to see how the community can continue to grow and support each other even further; from member meetups to sharing your favourite destinations and amazing pet encounters.
Join in the celebrations and share some of your favourite Trusted Housesitter memories
@Mark_BWOW! 5 years … way back when, we were one of the handful invitedto trial the forum in its infancy. So great to see how it’s evolved into this amazing community. Congrats to all
@Mark_B, thanks to you & team. We have learned a great deal from shared experiences on THS Forum, both from veteran perspective and newbie questions. Many threads have made us think, reflect and enhance our adventures. We feel blessed to connect with this community and unquestionably have gained confidence to expand our comfort zone - next week we fly to commence a housesit in our fourteenth country . Thank you.
In terms of memories, I recall a truly fabulous comment by @ElsieDownie on an exploratory thread about housesitting in South America. “I have found it’s very dangerous (and expensive) talking to fellow travellers. Japan, China and a slow boat to Australia are on the list. All because we had a conversation with someone who had done it and it appealed to our curiosity. And I’m still trying to figure out Antarctic! Last continent to visit.”
29th January 2026 we embark from Southampton for an eleven week cruise round South America taking in The Falklands and Antarctic amongst other places. Highlights are grandstand seats for Mardi Gras in Rio, Chile Fjords, Argentina Tango classes, three days cruising through parts of Antarctic (weather permitting, might land) and a tour of penguin roosts (think that’s the correct word) in The Falklands. Antarctic is our final continent, we will have visited them all. Excited is not the word.
I blame THS. I can definitely confirm talking to other members should carry a Government Health Warning for your bank balance!
Can we mention other members who have had an impact on the forum, making threads memorable with their insight and compassionate comments. Ambrose was one. I loved reading her take on some of the early discussions. Never heard from her for ages.
@ElsieDownie I’m thinking you mean @Amparo and, if so, I fully support your comment as she truly did have a wonderful impact and her view of life was/is inspirational. If you’re reading this Amparo, I hope you are well and still enjoying life to the fullest. We miss your wise words and insight.
Hey @temba I agree it is probably @Amparo. I last spoke with her around August 2024 and haven’t seen her since. Maybe I scared her off, I have that affect on people sometimes Amparo, we miss youuuuu!
Join in the celebrations and share some of your favourite Trusted Housesitter memories 
. Thank you.
Amparo, we miss youuuuu!
SO MANY POSTS to catch up on - it’ll keep me entertained for days!