England, Kent & Sussex
Tunbridge, Kent
This time of the year (July, August) we travel to the UK for two reasons, car business and house sit over the high season when campsites double their rates and lots of people want to take holidays themselves. Our first sit is two furries, Shumba and Shadow, in a 15th-century cottage in Southborough, Tunbridge. Tunbridge is only a 30-minute train ride from London so houses are pretty expensive. Tonbridge has an 11th-century castle owned at one point in history by Henry V111. He reportedly chopped the head off the previous owner for treason. And not forgetting the deer family that roam around the cottage every evening.
Brighton, East Sussex
Londoners’ weekend holiday destination, only an hour by train, and home of the popular brits snack of fish and chips and jellied eels. Only an hour from our home sit in Tunbridge. Brighton is also the unofficial LGBTQ+ capital of the United Kingdom, with a history dating back to at least the 19th century. The city hosts many LGBTQ+ venues and shops, and a large and welcoming community. It is estimated that between 11-15% of the Brighton population identifies as lesbian, gay, or bi.
Sevenoaks, Kent
Sevenoaks our second house sit in the UK and is just 21 miles south of London. Here we become custodians for four rescue cats. The area became famous with the establishment of Knole House in the 14th century by the Archbishop of Canterbury. It then went through the hands of our dear friend Henry VIII before it was taken over by the Sackville family in 1603. It was gifted to the National Trust in 1946 but the Sackvilles still reside in a part of the house today. The house is surrounded by a deer park and golf course and is open to the public.
Hastings, East Sussex
The town is most famous for the Battle of Hastings (1066) which took place 5 miles away in the aptly-named town of BATTLE. The opposing forces were King Harold II of England and William the Conquer of Normandy (Northern France). By the end of the all-day battle, Harold had lost his country and his life.
We were in Hastings to look after a cocker spaniel named Ted. So Ted got lots of walks not only in Hastings itself but also along the white cliffs coastline. Oh… and we got fresh crab and made a sandwich!
Folkstone, Kent
Left our last house sit in the UK and headed for the Eurotunnel. Overnight in Folkestone and what a pleasant surprise. We found this city enchantingly picturesque with its colourful streets, harbour markets, and old railway terminal. After dinner that night we walked along the foreshore in west Folkestone to find two beautiful old hotels, the Metropole and the Grand. The metropole was built first around 1890 and a local builder, Daniel Baker, was disappointed he didn’t get the contract and decided to build another hotel right beside it called the Grand. Both hotels are presently in disrepair with the Grand sale last year of just 448,000 UK pounds.
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