John & Alison
John & Alison
Looking for peace of mind on the homefront, taking care of your pets and property... look no further.
About John & Alison
Alison and I first met approximately 8 years ago as neighbours, became friends, and have now been partners for nigh on 4 years. We have military and security backgrounds between us... My military service began with the British Army, serving in West Germany with NATO, along with Holland, Belgium and Norway, where I was fortunate to learn to ski t...
Alison and I first met approximately 8 years ago as neighbours, became friends, and have now been partners for nigh on 4 years. We have military and security backgrounds between us... My military service began with the British Army, serving in West Germany with NATO, along with Holland, Belgium and Norway, where I was fortunate to learn to ski to work! My civilian life started with BT as a technician, and ended 23 years later, where I had a culture change to Gatwick Airport as a security officer. My employment history is varied and diverse, which has enabled me to learn considerable life skills, that I'm constantly building on, including after my retirement a few years ago, becoming a volunteer first aider. This progressed to a medic and ambulance driver for the local ambulance service. Alison is still active in the care industry, which has included living in with clients and their pets in the past. Also has a security background, and has experienced some eclectic roles, including being part of the London 2012 Olympics security team, and has worked at certain events around the country such as Goodwood Revival, and Festival of Speed. We've both had the opportunity to live, work and travel in various countries, which has fueled our appetite and desire to explore this wonderful planet of ours in more detail. We both enjoy various interests including reading, theatre visits and movies, though when feeling a little more energetic, have partaken in such activities as Scuba Diving, Paintballing, Go-Karting and ice skating. We also enjoy our football, though more as spectators than participants!
Why we want to house sit
Alison and I feel the time is right for us to take on a new challenge, see and experience more of this incredible planet of ours at our own pace, and visit the countries and places that are still on our 'wish list'. Canines, felines and other small 'critters', that have been family pets and otherwise, have always featured in our lives, so to look after them is natural to us both. We have utmost respect for other peoples property and possessions, and treat them with the same care and consideration as we would to our own. To house sit, is an excellent opportunity to have a very different life experience, in a new and very rewarding way, that is beneficial to all concerned.
Our experience
Our previous military, security and care experience has taught us, among other things, life skills that you only gain over time. We have the ability to look at most situations and resolve them quickly and easily, to the best of our ability in the circumstances. House and pet sitting will at times require immediate and swift resolution to a situation, which we feel confident to deal with most of the time. We also know that sometimes other resources will be needed to assist us, which can only increase our overall knowledge and skill base for future assignments... oh, and humour helps too!
Reviews (3)
-
Zoe - Marlborough, United Kingdom
30 May - 12 June 2017
This was the first time we had used house sitters and were slightly nervous about it. John and Alison's professional attitude and approach put as at our ease. They looked after elderly cat and took care of the garden and greenhouse. They were friendly, flexible and respected our property. They se...
This was the first time we had used house sitters and were slightly nervous about it. John and Alison's professional attitude and approach put as at our ease. They looked after elderly cat and took care of the garden and greenhouse. They were friendly, flexible and respected our property. They sent us regular email updates with pictures during or time away.
The house was spotless when we got back and as they had to leave earlier that day they phoned in the evening to check everything was OK. I would be happy to use Alison and John again.- Organised
-
- Reliable
-
- Self-sufficient
-
- Tidy
-
- Pet care
-
-
Carol - Ilfracombe, United Kingdom
25 April - 01 May 2017
John and Alison are lovely people. We were quite happy to leave our pets and house to their care after meeting them. They took our Dog Kia on many outings with them and had cleaned the house for us on return. We would be very happy to have them again and reccomend them to others.
John and Alison are lovely people. We were quite happy to leave our pets and house to their care after meeting them. They took our Dog Kia on many outings with them and had cleaned the house for us on return. We would be very happy to have them again and reccomend them to others.
- Organised
-
- Reliable
-
- Self-sufficient
-
- Tidy
-
- Pet care
-
-
Fiona - Uckfield, United Kingdom
23 March - 02 April 2017
John and Alison have been our first ever house sitters for our first ever dog, a spaniel of just 5 months. We went skiing for 10 days and were nervous about leaving our puppy and having strangers living in the house. From the outset we felt completely comfortable with both John and Alison. From a...
John and Alison have been our first ever house sitters for our first ever dog, a spaniel of just 5 months. We went skiing for 10 days and were nervous about leaving our puppy and having strangers living in the house. From the outset we felt completely comfortable with both John and Alison. From a security to property perspective you couldn't get any better than two security professionals and we were instantly at ease with them both. They are personable, open, kind, communicative, tidy and respectful of others property. They asked for instructions on any maintenance things we wanted them to do which on this occasion was minimal however, the house was vacuumed, cleaned and tidied to a higher level than I had left it, their bed stripped and bedding and towels washed and the bathrooms cleaned. As we had recently had an extension built, John helpfully gathered a list of snagging problems they had identified which I will use. On our return I had an injured leg but knew I had to change my bed; Alison helped me to do that as I couldn't do it on my own. The main focus for us was our dog who was loved and cherished like their own. They took our dog Boris out and about with them everyday wherever they went and for interesting walks which for a spaniel is vital, and didn't leave him on his own at all. He was happy and healthy on our return and had clearly taken to them immediately. Whilst we were away I received regular emails from John in an informative but not intrusive way and Alison sent me photos on a regular basis of Boris's exploits. I think Boris had a very good time with them, and it was good for his confidence. I have since spoken to Alison and would be delighted to keep in touch with them. I highly recommend John and Alison as house sitters.
- Organised
-
- Reliable
-
- Self-sufficient
-
- Tidy
-
- Pet care
-
About John & Alison
Alison and I first met approximately 8 years ago as neighbours, became friends, and have now been partners for nigh on 4 years. We have military and security backgrounds between us... My military service began with the British Army, serving in West Germany with NATO, along with Holland, Belgium and Norway, where I was fortunate to learn to ski to work! My civilian life started with BT as a technician, and ended 23 years later, where I had a culture change to Gatwick Airport as a security officer. My employment history is varied and diverse, which has enabled me to learn considerable life skills, that I'm constantly building on, including after my retirement a few years ago, becoming a volunteer first aider. This progressed to a medic and ambulance driver for the local ambulance service. Alison is still active in the care industry, which has included living in with clients and their p......
Alison and I first met approximately 8 years ago as neighbours, became friends, and have now been partners for nigh on 4 years. We have military and security backgrounds between us... My military service began with the British Army, serving in West Germany with NATO, along with Holland, Belgium and Norway, where I was fortunate to learn to ski to work! My civilian life started with BT as a technician, and ended 23 years later, where I had a culture change to Gatwick Airport as a security officer. My employment history is varied and diverse, which has enabled me to learn considerable life skills, that I'm constantly building on, including after my retirement a few years ago, becoming a volunteer first aider. This progressed to a medic and ambulance driver for the local ambulance service. Alison is still active in the care industry, which has included living in with clients and their pets in the past. Also has a security background, and has experienced some eclectic roles, including being part of the London 2012 Olympics security team, and has worked at certain events around the country such as Goodwood Revival, and Festival of Speed. We've both had the opportunity to live, work and travel in various countries, which has fueled our appetite and desire to explore this wonderful planet of ours in more detail. We both enjoy various interests including reading, theatre visits and movies, though when feeling a little more energetic, have partaken in such activities as Scuba Diving, Paintballing, Go-Karting and ice skating. We also enjoy our football, though more as spectators than participants!
Why we want to house sit
Alison and I feel the time is right for us to take on a new challenge, see and experience more of this incredible planet of ours at our own pace, and visit the countries and places that are still on our 'wish list'. Canines, felines and other small 'critters', that have been family pets and otherwise, have always featured in our lives, so to look after them is natural to us both. We have utmost respect for other peoples property and possessions, and treat them with the same care and consideration as we would to our own. To house sit, is an excellent opportunity to have a very different life experience, in a new and very rewarding way, that is beneficial to all concerned.
Our experience
Our previous military, security and care experience has taught us, among other things, life skills that you only gain over time. We have the ability to look at most situations and resolve them quickly and easily, to the best of our ability in the circumstances. House and pet sitting will at times require immediate and swift resolution to a situation, which we feel confident to deal with most of the time. We also know that sometimes other resources will be needed to assist us, which can only increase our overall knowledge and skill base for future assignments... oh, and humour helps too!
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
-
Dogs
-
Cats
-
Small pet
Availability
Preferred Countries
Profile Details
Age
Occupation
Travelling as a
Previous house sitting experience
Member benefits
Member since
House & pet sitting timeline
John and Alison have done 3 house sits since 2017
-
MarlboroughUnited KingdomMay - Jun 2017 -
IlfracombeUnited KingdomApr - May 2017
-
UckfieldUnited KingdomMar - Apr 2017
