Our new house-sit in Yabberup, Western Australia

@JudyEv (342447)
Rockingham, Australia
September 1, 2022 3:31am CST
We are now living in a farmhouse near Yabberup in Western Australia. The owners left about an hour ago after briefing us to what needed to be done and when. I’ll have more photos later but for now, here is a photo of the farmhouse. Like our last house-sit, this house is old with really high ceilings. The kitchen/dining/lounge is one big space but the tile heater keeps it nice and warm and we have wifi available in this room which means we can be cosy while we’re on the internet. There are some lovely old features to the house. There is another open fireplace and some leadlight windows. The house is perched on a rise with views down over the valley. The verandah on the left catches the morning sun and I can see ourselves spending a bit of time there reading our books. There are dozens and dozens of books in the house so we won’t be short of reading material.
23 people like this
23 responses
@DaddyEvil (138020)
• United States
1 Sep 22
This house sounds a lot cozier than the other one. I hope you guys enjoy housesitting for these people.
5 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Sep 22
They were pretty disorganised when we got here but they are on their way now and will hopefully have a great holiday. This house is much cosier, thanks.
4 people like this
@DaddyEvil (138020)
• United States
1 Sep 22
@JudyEv Aren't most people disorganized before going on vacation? (I made lists and stuck to them but nobody else I know does that.)
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Sep 22
@DaddyEvil This lady had a few lists including one of things she needed to show us. She admitted that they tend to put things off till the last moment. That would stress me out big-time.
3 people like this
@LadyDuck (472258)
• Switzerland
1 Sep 22
This is a pretty farmhouse, I hope you will be warmer in this house than in the previous one.
4 people like this
@allknowing (138314)
• India
2 Sep 22
@JudyEv Unique looking house - I do not see the garden.
4 people like this
@LadyDuck (472258)
• Switzerland
1 Sep 22
@JudyEv You will be comfortable house-sitting here and spring is coming in your country.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Sep 22
It is a much warmer house thanks. The wood tile fire is very efficient and the wifi connection is good.
4 people like this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
1 Sep 22
Nice that you have internet connection there. I think that would make your Mylotting easier. The house looks big and wide same goes to the lot area looks pretty wide. I wonder if they own that mini forest in the background.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Sep 22
They own about 40 acres or more so it is a big area. The wifi connection is very good.
3 people like this
@rsa101 (38166)
• Philippines
3 Sep 22
@JudyEv What do they do with that wide area they own? Any crops or livestock they tend on their land? Australia has one of the biggest land masses that is hardly utilized because the population is not as big as compared to other countries.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Sep 22
@rsa101 They have 23 sheep and two cows, mainly to keep the grass under control. Many of those with small acreages just like having open space around them but some plant crops, vegies, orchards, etc.
2 people like this
@DianneN (247184)
• United States
1 Sep 22
Pretty farm house. I love the reading on the veranda.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Sep 22
There are lots of lovely places to sit and read - or just to sit.
3 people like this
@innertalks (22151)
• Australia
2 Sep 22
I have never heard of house sitting before. It's a new one to me. I wouldn't like to home-swap, but I might like to home sit, if the house is a nice farmhouse like that one. I have heard of Airbnb, but I am not keen on doing that either.
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Sep 22
If people are only away for a short time and have a pet or two and/or pot plants or indoor plants, sometimes it suits them to have someone stay in the house. We don't pay anything and we don't get paid. There are a number of different ways of doing it.
3 people like this
@innertalks (22151)
• Australia
2 Sep 22
@JudyEv Oh, I guess a degree of trust is needed by both sides there too. You would have to know something of the person, and vice versa, I would think.
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Sep 22
@innertalks We've only doing the two so far - for friends - and the third is a friend of one of those. We won't be doing too many and probably only through contacts and word of mouth.
3 people like this
1 Sep 22
I like it - have you ever been tempted to change the locks lol
4 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Sep 22
Not yet - but it could still happen!
4 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (47806)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
1 Sep 22
Is that a solar water heater on the roof?
3 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (47806)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
2 Sep 22
@JudyEv Neat!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Sep 22
Yes, there is solar hot water and booster for cold and/or overcast days.
2 people like this
@rebelann (113052)
• El Paso, Texas
3 Sep 22
Wow, I love the open porch that surrounds the 2 sides in the photo. Beautiful house. I can't wait to see the rest of the shots you'll be taking.
3 people like this
@rebelann (113052)
• El Paso, Texas
3 Sep 22
I wonder what kind of kitchen the house had before the renovations, everybody has to cook to eat, right?
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Sep 22
@rebelann I guess it was part of the bigger room which is now a lounge.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Sep 22
The porch has been closed in in three areas to accommodate a kitchen, laundry and en suite.
3 people like this
@RasmaSandra (81127)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
1 Sep 22
What a very beautiful house. I know you'll enjoy it there,
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Sep 22
I'm sure we will too. It is a no-fuss place.
3 people like this
@1creekgirl (41843)
• United States
1 Sep 22
This is just the coolest thing! People usually pay a lot to rent a vacation home, but you get to enjoy these beautiful homes and they pay you!
3 people like this
@1creekgirl (41843)
• United States
2 Sep 22
@JudyEv Well, even if they're not paying you, it seems like a free vacation!
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Sep 22
@1creekgirl That's for sure. We're perfectly happy with the situation.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Sep 22
We aren't getting paid but we're certainly very happy to be here. Farmstay vacations can be very expensive.
2 people like this
@Shiva49 (26802)
• Singapore
1 Sep 22
Looks like a nice change of the environment - we need them from time to time. I know you are always on the move though.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Sep 22
It is a very lovely spot, much different to our house in town.
3 people like this
@AliCanary (3247)
2 Sep 22
Sounds like a pleasant place to stay! Australia has very interesting place names.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Sep 22
We do have some pretty weird names but then I guess most countries do.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Sep 22
@AliCanary England has some beauties too.
2 people like this
@AliCanary (3247)
5 Sep 22
@JudyEv there's a town I drive by in West Virginia called Nitro, and another one called Big Otter!
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (182922)
• United States
1 Sep 22
Looks like a lovely home. The warmth will be appreciated too! Sounds like a very enjoyable house-sit.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Sep 22
We are looking forward to more walks and to taking more photos.
3 people like this
@LindaOHio (182922)
• United States
1 Sep 22
@JudyEv Looking forward to the photos.
3 people like this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
1 Sep 22
Those wrap around porches are so nice. Enjoy!
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Sep 22
I think the verandah would have gone right round once but a small section has been built in under the eaves and is now a kitchen.
3 people like this
@CarolDM (203422)
• Nashville, Tennessee
2 Sep 22
@JudyEv It looks very nice.
3 people like this
• China
1 Sep 22
What a beautiful farmhouse ! Having wifi and lots of books in the house are an added bonus !
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Sep 22
We may never want to leave!
3 people like this
@RebeccasFarm (90571)
• Arvada, Colorado
1 Sep 22
Oh my gosh this is beautiful Judy! This is so very interesting seeing all the houses you sit and whats in them I do love that name too Yabberup
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Sep 22
I'm glad you enjoy the photos. We look down on green paddocks and a dam. I should get photos of the sheep today.
2 people like this
@Tampa_girl7 (50744)
• United States
1 Sep 22
I like the wrap around porch.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Sep 22
A lot of Australian houses have wide verandahs. At least the older ones do as it keeps the house cooler. Nowadays, houses in the towns and cities rarely have them.
2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (108824)
• Marion, Ohio
1 Sep 22
Hope you enjoy. Sounds a lot more comfortable than the last one.
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Sep 22
At least we'll be warmer here and the weather is improving too.
3 people like this
@Ronrybs (19621)
• London, England
1 Sep 22
That is one beautiful house! I would certainly be using the verandah, a lot!
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
2 Sep 22
I will need to do a lot of reading to make use of all the lovely places to sit.
3 people like this
@MrDenata (12339)
• Indonesia
1 Sep 22
Dozens of books? May i come to your farmhouse, Judy? I promise i'll keep silent in there
3 people like this
@JudyEv (342447)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Sep 22
We will have no hope of reading all the books we'd like to. Yes, you can join us if you'd like to.
3 people like this