Hey everyone,
We haven’t had a Community Spotlight for a little while now, so it was about time for a new one. We’ve had the pleasure to talk with @Kate867 this week, and I’m sure you’ll all love getting to know her better - I certainly did!
How long have you been hosting for and why did you first start?
We kind of fell into Hosting unwittingly. My husband is a shepherd and the farm he had worked on for 32 years indicated that they were going to drastically reduce the size of the flock. This combined with a desire to be closer to his elderly parents encouraged us to make the move from Kent to Northumberland in 2010. The farm we moved to provided us with a cottage as part of the terms of employment so we did not need to sell our old home which we have owned since 1989. Initially we rented out to long term tenants whilst trying to decide if we wanted to ‘retire’ back to Kent in due course, or if we would remain further north. When the last long term tenants moved out in 2017 we were still very undecided so we decided to carry out extensive renovation works. It was a real mission as the cottage was built in the 1600’s and is listed. Once completed we kicked around the idea of letting it out via Cottages and Sykes to name but a few etc. It was an old friend, also a host, who suggested Airbnb. Remote hosting can be challenging, but with the help of an excellent friend who is also a neighbour and a Cleaner who really is worth her weight in gold we managed to achieve Superhost in our first quarter and have managed to retain it since.
Tell us a little about your listing
It’s a money pit! As with many older listed properties it requires constant maintenance and given that it has no traditional foundations it shifts about on its clay bed quite a bit. Sometimes internal doors will close properly and sometimes they need a bit of extra ‘assistance’. However, I have no doubt it will be standing long after we are gone. The cottage sits adjacent to an old Roman Road, part of which runs under the front garden and digging about in the back garden often results in parts of old ‘middens’ being exposed with old apothecary bottles, coins and other treasures etc. to be found. We don’t mention this to guests in order to avoid the ‘archaeological’ and ‘metal detector’ enthusiasts which would inevitably end up in the garden looking like a ‘war zone’. So far, unfortunately for us, we have found nothing of value.
How long have you been part of the Community Center and why did you join?
I joined in 2019, intrigued by all the links on my ‘dashboard’ I set about checking them all out. Still very much a newbie, I needed all the help I could get and found the Community Centre was a great source of knowledge. You don’t always get the answers you want and opinions can vary substantially. Once you pick through all the comments you can normally find a good balance in order to resolve a tricky problem.
What is your favourite thing about the CC and if you could make it better what one thing would you improve?
I absolutely love the truly international feel here, suggestions and the varied points of view. The majority of people are incredibly helpful, diplomatic and polite. Inevitably you get some people, usually, but not always, aggrieved guests, who are not entirely familiar with Airbnbs terms and conditions that get upset when they are not getting the answers they want to hear. Whereas I truly do support complete freedom of speech and healthy discussion there are times when things spiral rapidly downwards and it can make extremely uncomfortable reading. If there was anything I could change, it would be getting these types of threads shut down or deleted sooner rather than later to ease the discomfort of all involved.
When you are not hosting, what do you like doing?
Now there is a question! I absolutely love rearing our spaniel pups, two litters a year that keep me well entertained. Each litter is 17 weeks from start to finish. Watching their different little personalities develop as you socialise them and get them ready for their new homes is extremely rewarding. I like trying to cook different things… ‘trying’ being the operative word here, but my husband is both tolerant and indulgent. When I fail he will try to eat the strange and burnt offerings with a smile. ‘Lambing’ season presents its own challenges, we always start with fresh optimism and end four weeks later, having overseen anything from 2500 to 3000 sheep bringing new life into the world, and we are both exhausted and pleased it is over .. for another year.
What is the one thing you cannot live without?
My Spaniels… and at a pinch, my Parrot.. The Parrot can ‘push all my buttons’ driving me to the point of losing my mind with his endless stream of obnoxious but polite verbal diarrhoea, at the same time he can also be exceptionally good company. The spaniels dilute the ‘parrot induced insanity’ and keep me laughing with their comical behaviour and unconditional adoration. Sadly, the parrot sounds like me and is also an amazing mimic. It is not uncommon to see a new Spaniel mum frantically looking for what she thinks is a distressed puppy under his cage or retiring back to her bed having been told ‘Go back and lie down’
Where would your dream holiday be?
I am fortunate to have travelled extensively when younger as my father worked in the Oil Industry and was frequently located abroad. A holiday abroad really is a dream now due to all our other commitments (dogs, sheep, obnoxious parrot etc.) but IF I could get away it would absolutely have to be New Zealand. I have never been there but have many friends who have.. and their tales of the scenery, culture and the friendliness of the people turn me positively green with envy. It is most definitely on my ‘bucket’ list.
Are you more of a film or book person? What have you last read/watched?
I usually lose the ‘battle for possession of the remote control’ and short of rugby tackling my husband to the floor as he dives for it, it is unlikely I will ever win. On the very rare occasions I do manage to get control of it, I will search for a good thriller. Reading however is different. I will read absolutely anything and everything. I nearly cried when my last Kindle packed up and I had to wait a whole 24 hours for a new one to be delivered. Squinting at a tiny iPhone screen on the kindle app really did smack of desperation. Last film I watched was ‘Most Dangerous Game’ on Amazon Prime and I am currently reading (for the second time) the last few chapters of ‘The Talisman’, a Stephen King novel.
What's your food weakness?
Where do I start? It is savoury stuff rather than sweet. My particular road to ‘Hell’ is certainly not paved with chocolate but I would absolutely sell my soul to the Devil himself for a single measly tin of John West's smoked mussels, and suffer the inevitable indigestion that follows. Chinese food is certainly right up there as my top favourite, in particular the properly chargrilled beef and chicken satays with that fiery peanut sauce sourced from the authentic street stalls in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Do you have a fun fact?
Perhaps…but not sure if this is a fun fact. I can be incredibly convincing if necessary, all in my most likely selfish need of self entertainment but not at all malicious and I can keep an absolutely poker straight face if needed. My husband still believes that Kent County Council and Essex County Council argued and went to court with regards to the exact positioning (within 10mm) of the ‘Welcome to Kent’ sign on the QEII Dartford Crossing Bridge. I also convinced him that our male parrot had laid an egg … on April Fools Day. He didn’t believe me at first but eventually did, much to his subsequent embarrassment.
Anything to add
Something I heard many years ago and have never forgotten. “Life is not a rehearsal, make the most of what you have now and live the fullest and best life you can. Treat others with the same kindness and respect that you would like to be treated with yourself”. Finally, please don’t forget those in the Ukraine! Airbnb Hosts and many others were incredibly supportive in March, but this is all far from over. Please keep helping when you can.
Thanks again Kate for telling us a bit more about yourself and your hosting journey!
Don't hesitate to say hi and ask any further questions you might have ... and have a wonderful day 😃
Emilie
