Nicola & Ken
About Nicola & Ken
We are fit and active, 60+ year old non smokers who have been married for 29 years.
Originally from Yorkshire, England, we moved to New Zealand in September 2003. We have 4 grown up children - 1 of our sons resides in Wellington, like us but our other son, 2 daughters, 3 year old granddaughter and new grandson (just born this May!) live in Lon...
We are fit and active, 60+ year old non smokers who have been married for 29 years.
Originally from Yorkshire, England, we moved to New Zealand in September 2003. We have 4 grown up children - 1 of our sons resides in Wellington, like us but our other son, 2 daughters, 3 year old granddaughter and new grandson (just born this May!) live in London - hence our need to keep tripping around the world!
Ken used to work as a Building Inspector and I was a Donor Recruiter for the NZ Blood Service but we gave up our jobs to become self employed, so we could take time out to visit our family. There is a Maori proverb - He aha te mea nui o te ao? What is the most important thing in the world? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. It is the people, it is the people, it is the people. We love all our family and don't want to become strangers!
Why we want to house sit
Our initial reason for wanting to house sit, is because space is at a premium at our daughter's house and we don't want to impose! Hotels are expensive and also, as we're used to being busy, we'd be bored out of our tree! We would be extremely happy to take great care of your home and pets, in return for a roof over our heads. And when not in London, we'd love to explore! I'm learning Spanish, so would love to house/pet sit in Spain but we'd love to visit other places too!
Our experience
We pride ourselves on being good neighbours and thoughtful friends, so although this is our debut on the Trustedhousesitters site, we have looked after a number of homes and resident pets, whilst their owners have been away.
We are honest, trustworthy and reliable, have great communication skills, a love of gardening, plus lots of practical skills and commonsense.
We used to own a 5 star self catering holiday cottage in Haworth, West Yorkshire, so attention to detail was always paramount. Today, that attention to detail is shown in the properties that we do up and the place where we live.
We promise to give your pets all the love and attention they deserve and look after your home, as if it was our own.
Reviews (4)
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Wendy - Thames, New Zealand
05 October - 11 October 2018
Wow .... Nicola and Ken were the best house sitters I've had. They took excellent care of Mr Hugo and my home. I came home to freshly mown lawns, a bottle of wine, my dinner and milk in the fridge, beautiful fresh flowers in a vase, a lovely thank you card and all the sheets and towels washed and...
Wow .... Nicola and Ken were the best house sitters I've had. They took excellent care of Mr Hugo and my home. I came home to freshly mown lawns, a bottle of wine, my dinner and milk in the fridge, beautiful fresh flowers in a vase, a lovely thank you card and all the sheets and towels washed and either folded or on the line. Nicola sent regular updates and funny photos of Mr Hugo being spoilt rotten while I was away. They communicated well and were an absolute delight to have in my home. I couldn't recommend them more highly.
- 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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Peter - Alençon, France
02 August - 12 August 2018
We couldn't have hoped for better sitters than Nicola and Ken. Both Tino and Minnie were in perfect form when we arrived home after 10 days away. Nicola even managed to groom them both which is much easier said than done to say the least! The garden had been perfectly looked after, and both Nico...
We couldn't have hoped for better sitters than Nicola and Ken. Both Tino and Minnie were in perfect form when we arrived home after 10 days away. Nicola even managed to groom them both which is much easier said than done to say the least! The garden had been perfectly looked after, and both Nicola and Ken went above and beyond what we expected from them, but in an extremely thoughtful and respectful way. We returned home after a long drive to a meal cooked by Nicola that was very much appreciated. We would be more than happy to have Nicola and Ken back again to house sit for us.
- 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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June - Seaton, United Kingdom
09 July - 23 July 2018
If I could give ten stars to Nicola and Ken I would happily do so , they are certainly super sitters! They were happy to come the day before I had to leave so we were able to have a proper introduction and I could leave to leave my pets and home in total confidence.
Nicola kept in touch everyda...If I could give ten stars to Nicola and Ken I would happily do so , they are certainly super sitters! They were happy to come the day before I had to leave so we were able to have a proper introduction and I could leave to leave my pets and home in total confidence.
Nicola kept in touch everyday , which was unexpected but really lovely and very reassuring. They had obviously taken Stan on some amazing walks and adventures and provided cuddles in abundance for Sophie!
I arrived back to a wonderful welcome from extremely happy pets and a spotlessly clean home, complete with beautiful flowers and a fantastic home cooked meal !
My garden looked amazing and Ken must have spent hours making my car look better than when I bought it!
All I can say is Nicola and Ken are absolutely perfect house sitters, i cannot thank them enough .
If they apply to sit for you...grab them ! I would certainly have them back anytime .- 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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About Nicola & Ken
We are fit and active, 60+ year old non smokers who have been married for 29 years.
Originally from Yorkshire, England, we moved to New Zealand in September 2003. We have 4 grown up children - 1 of our sons resides in Wellington, like us but our other son, 2 daughters, 3 year old granddaughter and new grandson (just born this May!) live in London - hence our need to keep tripping around the world!
Ken used to work as a Building Inspector and I was a Donor Recruiter for the NZ Blood Service but we gave up our jobs to become self employed, so we could take time out to visit our family. There is a Maori proverb - He aha te mea nui o te ao? What is the most important thing in the world? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. It is the people, it is the people, it is the people. We love all our family and don't want to become strangers!
We are fit and active, 60+ year old non smokers who have been married for 29 years.
Originally from Yorkshire, England, we moved to New Zealand in September 2003. We have 4 grown up children - 1 of our sons resides in Wellington, like us but our other son, 2 daughters, 3 year old granddaughter and new grandson (just born this May!) live in London - hence our need to keep tripping around the world!
Ken used to work as a Building Inspector and I was a Donor Recruiter for the NZ Blood Service but we gave up our jobs to become self employed, so we could take time out to visit our family. There is a Maori proverb - He aha te mea nui o te ao? What is the most important thing in the world? He tangata, he tangata, he tangata. It is the people, it is the people, it is the people. We love all our family and don't want to become strangers!
Why we want to house sit
Our initial reason for wanting to house sit, is because space is at a premium at our daughter's house and we don't want to impose! Hotels are expensive and also, as we're used to being busy, we'd be bored out of our tree! We would be extremely happy to take great care of your home and pets, in return for a roof over our heads. And when not in London, we'd love to explore! I'm learning Spanish, so would love to house/pet sit in Spain but we'd love to visit other places too!
Our experience
We pride ourselves on being good neighbours and thoughtful friends, so although this is our debut on the Trustedhousesitters site, we have looked after a number of homes and resident pets, whilst their owners have been away.
We are honest, trustworthy and reliable, have great communication skills, a love of gardening, plus lots of practical skills and commonsense.
We used to own a 5 star self catering holiday cottage in Haworth, West Yorkshire, so attention to detail was always paramount. Today, that attention to detail is shown in the properties that we do up and the place where we live.
We promise to give your pets all the love and attention they deserve and look after your home, as if it was our own.
Verifications
Verification level
Enhanced level
Email Address, Phone Number, External references (3), Identity & Document Check, Criminal Background Check (issue date: 26 Mar 2018)
All Standard and Enhanced 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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Fish
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Poultry
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Farm animals
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Bird
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Small pet
Availability
Preferred Countries
Profile Details
Age
Occupation
Travelling as a
Previous house sitting experience
Member benefits
Member since
House & pet sitting timeline
Nicola and Ken have done 4 house sits since 2017
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ThamesNew ZealandOct 2018 -
AlençonFranceAug 2018 -
SeatonUnited KingdomJul 2018 -
AntequeraSpainJun - Jul 2018
