Catherine's Americains, Part Duex

Have you ever felt like you were being watched, but couldn't quite put your finger on who or what? Most days during our stay in Tesse Froulay, we would grab the guide books and head out in the little Peugoet (50mpg!). There were only three ways to go when we reached the main road, so we traveled the same routes over and over. After a few weeks, especially when we were headed south into the Loire, we noticed folks looking up as we passed, then reaching in their pockets for a cell phone. Since we're not the paranoid types, we made up a tale for when we got home, or wrote a blog.

"Help us track Catherine's Americains!

Where will they go today?

When you see them, call us with the location, so we can plot their travels on our map!

Those Americains are certainly making the most of their visit and that little Peugeot (50mpg!)."

If you have ever watched French television you could easily imagine this going on.

Catherine's Americains

In November of 2007, we traveled to Normandy, France to house
sit for Catherine while she went to Australia to visit her children and
grandchildren. We shared the house with Pibe, the Chartreus Cat. Catherine also let us drive her little Peugeot. (50 mpg!!)

The house didn't have a street address. It was simply, La Branchoire, in Tesse Froulay. Catherine's section of the building is the area with the darker tile roof. The neighbors next door, while waving to you friendly, spoke no English, and did not respond to our attempts to communicate in French. Across the yard was a large barn with another house attached. The house was owned by an English couple, who came twice during our stay. The barn was owned by Marcel, a tiny, elderly gentleman, who produced apple cider, pommeau, and Calvados, an apple brandy. Marcel did not speak English, but was always willing to "communicate" with us. He lived in a house which was behind the barn on another lane through our little commune.

We enjoyed our stay in Tesse Froulay. It afforded us the opportunity to experience living in another country, not just as a visiting tourist. And with the little Peugeot (50mpg!) we traveled over most of Normandy, eastern Brittany and the northern Loire.

Looking For Misty and Stormy of Chincoteague

One of the more interesting places we visited while in Virginia was Chincoteague. Some of you may have read the Misty and Stormy of Chincateague books. I'd read the books, but never thought about it until our friends Mitch and Lillie came to visit. Guess where Lillie wanted to go? So we got out the map, plotted our route and away we went. Now if you ever want to go on an adventure to find some obscure place, item or even a stuffed horse, Mitch and Lillie are the folks to go with. They are tenacious, in a good way.

Chincoteague is on the little spit of land that is part of Virginia, but on the other side of the Chesapeake Bay. It is famous for it's ponies, whose ancestors escaped from a Spanish shipwreck many, many years ago. Every year, the ponies are rounded up, and made to swim across a small inlet, then the excess are sold. The rest are returned to the wild until the next year. Lillie had thought she might be interesting in buying one, until she found our how many thousands of dollars they sell for.

Arriving in the town, Misty and Stormy were everywhere. Books, movies, stuffed toys, jewelry, but we weren't looking for the imitations, we wanted the real thing! We were finally directed to a small house that had a sign, Museum. Mitch got out of the car to see if it was the real thing before we paid our entrance fees. He came back with a grin on his face!

The house was where the owners of Misty and Stormy had lived. The current owners had turned it into a museum and gift shop, complete with the stuffed Misty and Stormy. In the lot out back, was Misty's great, great grand son, still alive and unstuffed.

Hampton Roads Virginia

One of the main concerns when we are looking for a house sit is location. We always want to be near places that are interesting to visit. We were in the Hampton Roads area for nearly six months and still didn't see everything! Colonial Williamsburg, Jamestown, Yorktown, the NASA museum, the Chrysler Art Museum and a bit further away, the Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond. Plus, all the many beautiful plantation homes, assorted forts and battlegrounds, and miscellaneous museums we just happened upon. Which ever way we went, there was something new to see and explore. If you have never been to this part of the US, you should go!

Hamptom Roads; Our First Housesit

As the time to leave for Northern Ireland comes closer, we find ourselves remembering past house sits, which I will share over the next few posts.

The first position we found through Housecarers.com, was for Janice and Erik, in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia. We stayed in their beautiful house with their three cats, Mayday, Tasha, and Guinness, while J & E wandered the globe for nearly six months.

Pulling up in front of their house, Bill and I heaved a sigh of relief; it looked just like the pictures.




Janice and Erik must have been standing in the hallway, for when we rang the doorbell, it immediately opened. For a brief moment, we stared at one another, then we all seemed to speak at once. A Big Case of Nerves. This was the first time they had used a house sitter, as well as our first time house sitting for complete strangers. We had arrived two days before they were scheduled to leave. By then we had all calmed a bit. One thing which helped was discovering Bill and I knew Erik's aunt and uncle in Shingletown, CA! It really is a small world!



We dropped them off at the airport, ready for their big adventure. Then back to the house, to start ours! Time to get aquainted with the cats!
Mayday was the social kitty. She was getting on in years, loved to eat, both her own food as well any that Tasha and Guinness might leave, something we had to watch out for. Mayday was also, absolutely positive that everyone wanted he in their lap anytime one was seated. She was a Sweetheart! I haven't been able to find our pictures of Mayday, so will keep looking.
Tasha aka Zoomer, for her speed of light runs through the entire house, was the BOSS. If she wanted the sunny spot, she got the sunny spot. Back of the sofa? Hers! Top of the cat tree? Hers! Top of the computer monitor? Hers! Guess when you are gorgeous, with big blue eyes, the world is Yours!


Guinness was the lone male. He was shy, a picky eater, and at times didn't seem to know what to do with the two gals in his life. He made up for any problems by being loving, and almost apologetic when he had an accident. He was always happy to see us first thing in the morning, even if he wasn't interested in his food. Guinness also had the most beautiful markings we had ever seen. He was the color of a pint of Guinness with the most beautiful green eyes.

Desert Blooms

Spring flowers in the Sonoran Desert.

Gila Monster!

We knew he was in the neighborhood. We had to wait until he was ready for us to meet him. Finally, today was the day! Our new neighbor, Mr. Gila Monster.