Joanna & Guy
About Joanna & Guy
I’m Jo, aged 52, a full-time writer and currently working on my second novel. I used to be an academic and spent a lot of time in East Asia. My partner, Guy, is 59 and a graphic designer and photographer. He's also a dab-hand in the kitchen (I wash up), and he plays the most blissfully wistful ragtime guitar.
We're from London originally, but ...
I’m Jo, aged 52, a full-time writer and currently working on my second novel. I used to be an academic and spent a lot of time in East Asia. My partner, Guy, is 59 and a graphic designer and photographer. He's also a dab-hand in the kitchen (I wash up), and he plays the most blissfully wistful ragtime guitar.
We're from London originally, but now live in Berlin, and are lucky to have the freedom to spend time away from home. We're quiet and tidy people, and happiest with simple things. We own a flat in London, which we rent out, so we know how important it is to feel sure your home is in safe hands and that your privacy is respected.
We're non-smokers and both physically fit (cycling, walking, plus a bit of gym when the Berlin winter strikes). We're mostly vegetarian - though we do eat some fish. We enjoy making contact - across languages and across species. Between us, we speak English, French, German and Chinese. We love animals, and they, we have found, generally like us.
Why we want to house sit
House-sitting is great because it gives people with pets the chance to travel, and people without pets the chance to travel AND spend time in the company of animals.
It was work that brought us to this city, but we can't keep pets in our Berlin flat, so we welcome the chance to offer short-term adoption, and show kindness, companionship and care.
Our experience
We’ve always been on hand to look after pets of friends and family at times they've needed to travel. We have lots of experience with cats (including elderly ones on medication) and have enjoyed the company of several dogs, including young, bright and curious border collies. This year, we were responsible for a smallholding of chickens and ducks and a flock of Ouessant sheep – who charmed us with their calm and methodical ways.
We've spent extended periods in the French countryside and loved taking care of rural houses and grounds. We’ve dealt with minor maintenance, tractored lawns, watered in heatwaves and harvested gluts of fruit and veg.
Jo grew up close to the earth - often camping and out in the wild - and she had as many pets as she could persuade her parents to live with (cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, fish). She’s spent many contented hours taking care of other people's gardens, and at the right time of the year, disappears into bushes, to emerge with berries which she turns into moreish jam.
Reviews (3)
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Lucy - Hackney, United Kingdom
26 October - 28 October 2018
Jo and Guy are a lovely couple and we immediately warmed to them via Skype. They were incredibly caring, considerate and reliable guests towards us, the cats and our home. You will be in expert hands. Thank you Jo and Guy and we hope to have you again.
Jo and Guy are a lovely couple and we immediately warmed to them via Skype. They were incredibly caring, considerate and reliable guests towards us, the cats and our home. You will be in expert hands. Thank you Jo and Guy and we hope to have you again.
- Organised
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- Reliable
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- Self-sufficient
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- Tidy
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- Pet care
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Eva - Champagne-Mouton, France
04 August - 30 August 2018
Already when we saw their profile on Trusted Housesitter we felt so positive about Jo and Guy. This feeling has held up and deepened while we got to know them better and set up them coming here. Good, direct communications is one of their skills.
When here for the days of introduction they were s...Already when we saw their profile on Trusted Housesitter we felt so positive about Jo and Guy. This feeling has held up and deepened while we got to know them better and set up them coming here. Good, direct communications is one of their skills.
When here for the days of introduction they were so attentive to all the details of how we care for our animals. We have a border colllie, two cats, the chickens, two ducks and five sheep.
Our dog Selma is very reserved and it takes time, patience and love to win her over. Selma came to adore the company of Jo and Guy to our delight.
During our three weeks of absence they immersed themselves in the life of the mill tending to the animals and the garden.
We got regulat updates and photos that communicated to us their love and care.
We came back to a home that was cleaner than we left it. Guy came and picked us up from Angoulême as we were too late for the local trainstation.
We are so grateful to Jo and Guy, thank you the two of you and very much welcome back here.
We warmly recommend Jo and Guy as your future housesitters.
Warm regards
Eva and Serge- Organised
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- Reliable
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- Self-sufficient
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- Tidy
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- Pet care
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Venetia - London, United Kingdom
14 June - 18 June 2018
Joanna and Guy were perfect sitters and took incredible care of both our beloved Bengal cat, who was relaxed and happy, and the house which was immaculate and full of good things. They were extremely easy to contact beforehand, thoughtful, diligent and affable. They completely put our minds at ea...
Joanna and Guy were perfect sitters and took incredible care of both our beloved Bengal cat, who was relaxed and happy, and the house which was immaculate and full of good things. They were extremely easy to contact beforehand, thoughtful, diligent and affable. They completely put our minds at ease and clearly have an affinity with cats - and no doubt all animals - and anyone would be lucky to have them sit for them. We were very grateful to have found such lovely people.
- Organised
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- Reliable
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- Self-sufficient
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- Tidy
-
- Pet care
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About Joanna & Guy
I’m Jo, aged 52, a full-time writer and currently working on my second novel. I used to be an academic and spent a lot of time in East Asia. My partner, Guy, is 59 and a graphic designer and photographer. He's also a dab-hand in the kitchen (I wash up), and he plays the most blissfully wistful ragtime guitar.
We're from London originally, but now live in Berlin, and are lucky to have the freedom to spend time away from home. We're quiet and tidy people, and happiest with simple things. We own a flat in London, which we rent out, so we know how important it is to feel sure your home is in safe hands and that your privacy is respected.
We're non-smokers and both physically fit (cycling, walking, plus a bit of gym when the Berlin winter strikes). We're mostly vegetarian - though we do eat some fish. We enjoy making contact - across languages and across species. Between us, we speak En......
I’m Jo, aged 52, a full-time writer and currently working on my second novel. I used to be an academic and spent a lot of time in East Asia. My partner, Guy, is 59 and a graphic designer and photographer. He's also a dab-hand in the kitchen (I wash up), and he plays the most blissfully wistful ragtime guitar.
We're from London originally, but now live in Berlin, and are lucky to have the freedom to spend time away from home. We're quiet and tidy people, and happiest with simple things. We own a flat in London, which we rent out, so we know how important it is to feel sure your home is in safe hands and that your privacy is respected.
We're non-smokers and both physically fit (cycling, walking, plus a bit of gym when the Berlin winter strikes). We're mostly vegetarian - though we do eat some fish. We enjoy making contact - across languages and across species. Between us, we speak English, French, German and Chinese. We love animals, and they, we have found, generally like us.
Why we want to house sit
House-sitting is great because it gives people with pets the chance to travel, and people without pets the chance to travel AND spend time in the company of animals.
It was work that brought us to this city, but we can't keep pets in our Berlin flat, so we welcome the chance to offer short-term adoption, and show kindness, companionship and care.
Our experience
We’ve always been on hand to look after pets of friends and family at times they've needed to travel. We have lots of experience with cats (including elderly ones on medication) and have enjoyed the company of several dogs, including young, bright and curious border collies. This year, we were responsible for a smallholding of chickens and ducks and a flock of Ouessant sheep – who charmed us with their calm and methodical ways.
We've spent extended periods in the French countryside and loved taking care of rural houses and grounds. We’ve dealt with minor maintenance, tractored lawns, watered in heatwaves and harvested gluts of fruit and veg.
Jo grew up close to the earth - often camping and out in the wild - and she had as many pets as she could persuade her parents to live with (cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, fish). She’s spent many contented hours taking care of other people's gardens, and at the right time of the year, disappears into bushes, to emerge with berries which she turns into moreish jam.
Verifications
Verification level
Standard level
Email Address, Phone Number, External references (4), Identity & Document Check
All Standard Verification checks are carried out by a specialist 3rd Party
Animal Care Experience
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Dogs
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Cats
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Poultry
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Farm animals
Availability
Preferred Countries
Profile Details
Age
Occupation
Travelling as a
Previous house sitting experience
Member benefits
Member since
House & pet sitting timeline
Joanna and Guy have done 3 house sits since 2017
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HackneyUnited KingdomOct 2018 -
Champagne-MoutonFranceAug 2018 -
LondonUnited KingdomJun 2018
