My name is Karen. I have been HouseSitting through TrustedHousesitters for a couple of years now. I moved from Victoria to NSW, and often HouseSit in Queensland too. I love to travel and explore new areas, and last year I ended up at Baffle Creek, north of Bundaberg for 4 months. I got to explore the area very well and enjoyed it very much.
I am studying full-time with Gemstone University, so I am happy to be able to take care of peoples’ homes, gardens and pets while they are away. I have travelled extensively, and often offer “how to pack and travel lightly” skills and travel tips.
I know what it is like to have to find someone to take care of fur babies when you want to travel, and now I am more than happy to love them while their owners are away.
I love being able to provide this service for others, and have had many wonderful experiences along the way, including HouseSitting for a friend in Bali. I have made many wonderful friends too
Hi Karen welcome and thank you for the great introduction into your life and travels with THS, as @TheMapleKiwi says it’s great to have another Aussie here in the forum.
Combining your studies with pet sitting and giving owners advice on how to pack and travel light, I think I need some of that … travel light, never something I’ve managed to perfect, or got anywhere near, I’m a “Just in Case” packer point is “Just in case” doesn’t often happen and I end up not wearing or using 2/3rds of what I take.
Making wonderful friends is such a great part of what we do, so many heartwarming stories about lifelong friendships, it’s happened to me and so many members I speak with all brought together by animals, without them our community simply wouldn’t exist.
Enjoy meeting other members and the conversations and welcome again.
I have had many people I have assisted with packing thank me. They were going to take two cases, or luggage that was too heavy. I got them to reduce their luggage right down, and when they were travelling lighter, they realised two cases, or heavy luggage would have been difficult.
The lady I helped at Christmas had bottles of wine and olive oil in her luggage. I told her it would get confiscated, and she confirmed this with her travel agent. I also got her to put shampoo into a small contain I provider her rather than take a full bottle.
She was very happy to have light luggage, and to not loose several bottles of wine and the olive oil!
Hello. I am from NZ too originally. Nice they have opened up flights to NZ as now I have some more sits to do for regulars who go over there. I am also looking forward to family coming over the the Gold Coast in June, when I will be HouseSitting there.
Yes, I did enjoy my HouseSit up at Baffle Creek, north of Bundaberg. I went up to the 1770 market regular, and walked the beaches there from Agnes Water, to Moorepark Beach, all the way down to Harvey Bay. I had not been to that area before so spending 4 months up there was amazing.
I grew up on the Hibiscus Coast north of Auckland, then lived in Remuera before moving to the South Island.
My mother used to live in the BOP - in Te Puke.
I haven’t lived there since 1991, and was unable to go back last year for a family funeral nor an 80th Birthday!
5000% understand about not being able to return last yr & the stress it may have created. We’re thankful for being able to get back & may you have the chance soon.
Yes now that flights are operating to NZ now, I may be able to get over later in the year. One of my regulars I sit for are going to NZ in June on the Gold Coast, and my cousin from Auckland is coming over then too so I will be able to catch up with family then. We are waiting to see how this goes first!
Love the sound of Tui’s so thank you! I miss them but then I have beautiful bird sounds in AU with Butcher Birds, Maggies and others! e:
We’re sitting in Welly next week for folks heading to Canberra…With the new case in Sydney, we’re all keeping close eye on the ABC corona live blog . Funny reading the contact tracing sites as the gent was obviously out seeking a new bbq & some goodies to grill.
Great there are not sits with flights to/from NZ! Yes I enjoy the Kookaburras too. I had lots at my place in VIC, and at the place I just moved from in NSW, but no so many where I am now. However, there are far more birds here so I get other beautiful bird song, and the King Parrots here eat right out of my hand!
Hello, just latching on to the chat as I lived in Hervey Bay for 25 years and am very familiar with the region. It is beautiful and has fabulous weather, neither too hot nor cold nor much humidity. It is around 3 to 4 hours from Brisbane depending on the roads. A great spot.
. We were in Newcastle for a while but fled back to NZ w the bubble 
.
. We cheer for the Chiefs or the Crusaders as he’s a UC grad.
& may you have the chance soon.