I do exactly the same @BonnyinBrighton and even if I am away from U.K.
This photo shows the first thing we did on our arrival at our very first THS sit .
I do exactly the same @BonnyinBrighton and even if I am away from U.K.
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especially when you’ve got a couple of cuddly cats draped over you!
I did one online Zumba class during COVID but as you say, just wasn’t the same as I like to go not only for the exercise but to socialize with other like-minded enthusiasts. For me, discovering Zumba was life-changing (too long a story for here). Best of luck in finding a class you like!
I really do see where you’re coming from. It’s not the same community experience when it’s online. That can be an important part of the enjoyment of these classes.
My quest for a form exercise I like doing continues! 
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All of the discussion on here about exercise/classes/etc has been really useful for me. I’ve now added to my house guide a couple of local walking groups (open to anyone who fancies a stroll in some company; not serious hiking), my local yoga studio and two nearby local gyms (one literally 10 mins walk) with pay-as-you-go classes. I might even go to one myself… 
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That’s so lovely that you’ve included that information. That’ll really help your sitters to feel more a part of the local community when they’re staying in your home.
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Lots of great advice here! I also turn a bunch of lights on BEFORE the sun goes down, so I can find my way around. I try to understand where all the important lights switches are located.
Also, I make sure that I know the location of flashlights and candles/matches just in case there is a power outage.
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Well this would certainly make one feel at home! Recent sit advertised on THS site 
“Bring your own furniture! Only the Master Bedroom has a Queen bed. Otherwise the house is unfurnished”
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Well, they’ll be inundated with applications, won’t they, @ziggy?? 
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This is all really nice advice! For me it depends on the house. If it’s messy or not clean and it’s a longer sit I’ll sort that out. It annoys me but ultimately makes the stay so much better.
Other than that though I usually feel at home fairly quickly which I think is why sitting is so appealing as a way to travel/live. I do like to think about things at sits that I’d like to incorporate into my own place - design ideas or a particularly comfortable sofa/mattress/chair. In a way that really makes me feel at home.
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@ziggy This reminded me of a post from last year
There’s a sit for everyone ??? 
Sorry OP …short diversion from main topic 
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@Silversitters hilarious Obviously looking for a place to live as her bio stated moved from Denmark to the UK - obviously with her furniture!
Me to sorry OP 
I also love picking up ideas and inspiration for home decor too! The lady I recently sat for was really into plants and flowers and it gave the whole place such a lovely atmosphere. I’m very impressed with myself that I kept her beautiful white orchid alive too!
I did a sit last year where the HO had a bold framed picture in the living room which said ‘Serial Plant Killer’!!!
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Was that an actual listing on THS? 
No need to apologise. It’s a fun little diversion! We always get back on track in the end don’t we!
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I saw that sit in North Carolina, where I live. Crazy thing was that it had three applications already when it was fairly new! I am guessing that at least two of the three didn’t read the listing!
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The first thing we do on every sit (and every airbnb/hotel etc) is to spray the toilets with disinfectant! If the house is not up to our cleaning standards, or just looks like it hasn’t been especially cleaned for our arrival, we will also do a speedy deep clean of all relevant areas- kitchen surfaces, bathrooms etc. Once I had to vacuum the whole house (the minute the hosts left after an overlap night!) And that filled the whole Dyson canister in one round!! Yuck! Even the cleanest of homes we’ll still disinfect the toilets. Its an energy thing and makes all the difference to our enjoyment of the space! Sometimes I clean windows if they are bothering me. The hubby always asks why I go to that extra trouble- And I say I’m doing it for our enjoyment now. Not (especially)for the hosts - they may not even notice!
I also always remove the extra mountain of pillows and cushions from the bed and pack them away somewhere, and replace with our own pillows! (Which go all around the world with us!) If I remember I take a picture of the original artistic arrangement to restore it later!
We have a few other arrival rituals which we are very quick so we can settle in asap!
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After having a cup of tea ……If it’s a sit with dogs we take them for out for a walk, either around the garden / property or a short walk around the local area.
It’s usually the best way to make friends and settle the dogs that these strangers are going to be ok 
.A chance to get our bearings , find the local shops/ cafe/ park and perhaps meet some locals too.
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Love this. It makes sense and I don’t think it’s OTT at all.
Plus, I know what you mean about cushions. Even in most Airbnbs these days, I find I often have to remove at least half a dozen cushions before I can get anywhere near the bed!!!
As lovely as it looks, I just don’t need them. I also travel with my own pillow as I have some neck issues. Plus, I wouldn’t be without my eye-mask for a better night’s kip. 
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First things first. The brew/cuppa is the first priority! 
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