Not just a House, a Home

Have you ever walked into a place and immediately felt at home? This was the house in Launceston. The house was originally a duplex for two mining families. It was then combines into one house.  In the 60's the current owners added another two storey wing to one end. More bedrooms plus work space for the lady of the house, who is an avid quilter. The house has many levels, low ceilings and a two huge fireplaces., but only one of them is working. The kitchen is cosy with a breakfast nook. There are roosters everywhere; on plates, dishes, pictures, holding the doors open. I love this place!

The hall that goes between the dinigroom and the storage room runs behind the kitchen. A former window still opens into the kitchen from the hall. Makes it very easy to request something special from the pantry and wine cellar! Also in this hall is an ancient Grandfather clock which has been in Dy's family for several generations. She turns it off, so we won't have the responsibility of not breaking it.

Our room is spacious, with a double bed, wardrobe(being England there are not closets) windows on two walls, and an ensuite bath with a wonderful instant hot water shower. The hall just outside our room has a large table full of books just waiting to be read.  How can we not enjoy this place?!

Cornwall in September

A year ago, we had a house sit in Launceston, Cornwall. It looks like you would pronounce it Lawn-ces-ton or something similar, but this is Cornwall, it's Laan-son. Is this where the southern accent came from? We found the sit through housecarers where most of our jobs come from. It was a fluke. Martin, the homeowner, had posted his ad, then removed it. It showed up again, so I replied. His response was that the position was filled, and he had hit the wrong button. Then, a few weeks later, he sent an email asking if we were still interested, as the original person had backed out. After a quick check for flights, to see if we could afford the tickets, we agreed to come.

Martin and Dy are the type of folks you feel immediately at home with. They both have big smiles, warm personalities and welcoming hugs. They met us at the bus station in Exeter where we arrived after taking the National Express from Heathrow Airport. Fortunately, Martin had sent us pictures so we could recognise them, even through out bleary, sleep deprived eyes!

Before we agree to a house sit, we see pictures of the place we will be, the pets and the homeowners. Martin sent us pictures of his 65th birthday party. We even knew what their friends and family looked like!