Septuagenarian,still working even after putting in 50+ years on "The Street", now seriously considering folding the tent and living the rest of my years as an ex-pat, either in eastern Canada or western Europe. Know both areas well, but do not know whether living abroad permanently will suit me for the long run. The idea is to try living in several different places for several months to make some determination on this matter. I've travelled to Europe 89 times at last count, but living in hotels is not quite the same as managing one's own digs. House-sitting seems like an economic way to find some answers I seek in this regard.

I expect any assignment to be rent-free, but otherwise do not seek payment for my services which I assume are likely to include care of pets and plants. You can be certain that your property will be treated as if it were my own. There will be no parties on your property, no smoking or drugs, but my dinner will usually include a glass of red wine. As for trustworthiness, I can only suggest that mine is attested to by the fact that over the years a number of prominent European families entrusted me with the training of their sons for careers in banking/investment counseling. It is likely that I will ask a retired Canadian friend to join me on assignments when he has time to do so. It can get lonely being by oneself at times, and I have found that having a good friend around with whom you can swap fishing stories seems a good antidote for that condition

I have great flexibility on his issue, but would like to limit stays to one month. From before Christmas until the end of the first week of January (2010) I house sat for a lady whose place is located in the outskirts of Arezzo (Tuscany) Italy. Took good care of the place and the dog and two cats and I were very fond of each other!