Back in the UK!
When we had to cut short our travels in Colombia and return to the UK due to Coronavirus, we found ourselves in a difficult situation. As we housesit full-time, we don’t have a home of our own. For the last eight years this has worked out pretty well. We house-sit in Brighton on England’s south coast in between travels, moving around constantly. Our housesits vary in length from a couple of days to six weeks. Every now and again, we have a gap in housesits. In this situation and if we aren’t travelling, we either stay with Ku’s mum in Eastbourne or visit T’s parents in Norfolk. Occasionally we book a night in a hotel or take a city break in Europe somewhere.
Adjusting to life in Eastbourne
When we returned home from Bogota on 23nd March, all of our upcoming housesits had been cancelled. The following day, lockdown became official. We headed to Ku’s mum’s home in Eastbourne and have been here ever since. Just a stone’s throw from the beach, we are lucky to be able to enjoy walks along the seafront and also have a garden to relax in. We are missing the pets that we would normally be caring for and have tried to befriend random cats who come into the garden. Alas – the cats of Eastbourne don’t seem to be very friendly so far!
Hiking on the South Downs
We have also done a few hikes on the South Downs, where we spent our walking hours planning our next adventures. Our next major project is to hike from Mexico to Canada on the Pacific Crest Trail. We walked amongst the newly born lambs in the fields and took in the views over Eastbourne. It’s a beautiful spot and one of the only places nearby where you don’t have to worry about social distancing as there’s so much space.
Planning Future Travels
The weather has been unbelievably warm and sunny since we returned. We’ve been taking breakfast in the garden and having a barbeque every week. It’s the first time in over eight years that we have stayed in the same place for longer than a few weeks. It’s been a chance to slow down, take stock, re-launch our blog and plan future travels. We have stayed in touch with friends and family on Zoom and Skype. We’ve listened to lots of music and watched ‘Epic Trails’ and other travel adventure documentaries to keep us inspired.
A shout-out is due to Ku’s mum and brother, Dave, both who been incredibly supportive during what has been a tricky time for a couple of homeless nomads! At the moment, we’re taking one day at a time. As with many people, we are unsure of what the future holds, but we will never stop planning, researching and dreaming about our next adventure.
Thanks for the follow! I always enjoy travel blogs.
Wow, I’ve never known anyone who sat houses for a living. Must be pretty cool, I’ve wanted to do it too! The beaches looks GORGEOUS.
X
Eastbourne looks quite nice and it is a real plus to have some places to walk during lockdown. My husband and I live in the country in Canada and having space to walk and trails to follow has been a real help to our mental states.
Thanks so much for your comments. We have been to Canada a couple of times and love it. Having lovely trails to hike on is so important. Take care and stay safe.
Great to meet you guys! Lockdown is certainly a challenge for many, but I don’t find it so as I have too much to do!
Many thanks for stopping by my travel and photography blog.
Thanks so much for your kind comments
Luckily you have such an awesome place to hunker down! Housesitting sounds so fun though, what a great way to travel and stretch your funds. 🙂
Thanks so much Theresa. Yes, housesitting is fun and a great way to see new places and get to hang out with lovely cats or dogs!
Nice places!
Wow, that’s so cool that you house sit to travel! Such an awesome way to explore new places and have a house to go to at night. Can’t wait to read more about your adventures!
Thanks so much.
Housesitting is what I want to start doing! Your pictures are beautiful – I am looking forward to reading more of your blogs and to hear about the Pacific Crest walk! Cheers!
Aw thank you so much. That’s very kind. Yes, we are researching the PCT – it’s good to plan at this time. Stay safe.
Oh and yes, Housesitting is a great way to see places and hang out with lovely dogs and cats.
Great blog! I usually travel solo, so I probably wouldn’t venture to a place like Bogota, but it looks like a place I’d want to go. Too bad this virus has curbed our travels…be safe!
Thanks so much Deb. It did feel pretty safe but understand that. Hopefully it won’t be too long before we are all travelling again. You stay safe too.
Any word on when hotels will reopen in England ? A hotel in the Lake District cancelled my reservation for early July.
Hey Sharon. Sorry to hear that. There has been no information on when hotels are opening here yet. At the moment there is a mandatory 2 week quarantine for anyone flying into the UK. Hopefully soon.
Hotels never closed here. I understand the quarantine.
You are a couple of brave souls to take on the Pacific Crest Trail. I look forward to hearing about that future experience. Best Wishes.
Thanks so much Ken. Either brave or crazy! Thanks for your kind words.
awesome
How fortunate you’ve been to have the beauty of Eastbourne at your fingertips while under lockdown! Love the vistas and trails you’ve shared from your quarantine walks.
Thank you so much. We are very lucky.
Lockdown near a beach would be a blessing. In our small city, not so much. With things opening, up, we were lucky to be in the mountains last week. What a breath of fresh air.
Yes – we are lucky. Hopefully things are getting better and everyone can get out again. The mountains sounds great.
I went a couple of weeks ago and loved it. So good to be by the sea again!
Really. Glad you loved it. Being by the sea is always good.
Should have been back in Central America by now ffs!
Oh no. Hopefully soon
I will find a way😑
Good luck!
Loved your post and especially the pictures of Eastbourne under lockdown. I am amazed and filled with wonder about how you house sit and see the world! Absolutely marvellous. How come I never thought of something so brilliant!
Thank you so much. Housesitting is a great way of seeing the world.It’s definitely worth trying, especially if you love animals like we do!
Thanks for following my blog and good luck in your travels.
Cool! Cute lamb 🙂
I read this with lots of interest since your situation mirrors our own exactly. This is a tough time to be nomadic. Really glad you found somewhere to stay, and in a lovely part of the country as well. Walking on the south downs in all that beautiful weather – makes my heart sing just to think of it. Keep dreaming and planning. Think they are due to stop the 2 week quarantine period on July 6th… hopefully you will be able to move a bit more freely soon.
Hi! Thank you for taking time to comment. Yes – it’s an unusual position to be in! Certainly, being able to escape into nature has helped. We hope all is well with you and everything works out for you too. We will never stop dreaming and planning! Take care.
Really. Glad you loved it. Being by the sea is always good.
Nice blog .
Thank you very much and for taking the time out to say so.