Became a member in: 2018
Renewal Date: 01/Nov/2019
We are a life partner couple of 50 and 52 years old who recently joined HomeLink after reading a fascinating magazine article about the travel experiences of local members: to travel is one of our biggest passions. Though we are new members to HomeLink, we had the same house since 2002.
I am an Advocate by education, working in the finance sector as executive and partner Rudi is an IT Systems Architect. Rudi has 2 semi-adult children: Leigh a medical student at university and Nicholas (16) in high school. The ‘kids’ may accompany us, generally we like to travel with some good friends.
We have 3 pets and you would be required to be nice to them; other care not required: when you visit our home, I will arrange for our live-in domestic goddess Julia to and stay on to care for the furry family members, as well as give the house’s shared living areas a quick clean in the mornings. The pets love her and it should make their adaption to your visit easier. Julia vacuums all traces of our furries away - the house is spotless. Do not worry about privacy with Julia there - she operates like a ghost, never in your way, never intruding, a beautiful sunny person.
On holiday we are laid-back persons, enjoying quiet time and beautiful sunsets, walks to explore the scenery, a glass of good wine, invigorating conversations and philosophy. We share scuba diving as hobby and both have motorcycles - though we are not “bikers” in the general sense. We enjoy photography and music. Rudi and Leigh are very musical, thus we have an electronic piano and several guitars in the house, as well as a good hi-fi system. We love good food. A restaurant with soul food and a live band is our idea of bliss.
We LOVE to read. Our house has loads of reading material: it has a study / library stocked with books: fiction and non-fiction.
We have unlimited fibre to the home (wifi) if an iPad or Kindle is preferred to read from. It can also be used for for Netflix and communication with family back home, online gaming, etc.
I am a keen gardener and has just started a raised bed vegetable garden. There are several shade covered outdoor spots to enjoy and relax in. We also have a swimming pool in the garden. The garden has automated irrigation - except for loving the relaxation of watering plants with a hose pipe, it won’t be required.
When time allows: Rudi enjoys playing with electronics and I dabble with a bit of needlework and painting. I also try my hand at interior decorating and regularly change furniture around.
I’ve marked ‘University Professors’ under affiliations: We are not academia ourselves, but our good neighbours are: husband and wife - both Professors in Law; you will probably meet them.
Additional languages spoken
Afrikaans
Affinities
Plants & Gardens,
Pets,
Skiing,
Hiking,
Wine Lovers,
Foodies,
The Arts,
Yoga / Meditation,
Music Lovers
MoreLessAffiliations
University Professors,
Law Professionals,
Technology Professionals,
Banking / Finance
MoreLessProfession
Executive in Banking Sector
Our pets
We have two small dogs Nougat and Fudge and our Maine Coon cat Ruby Tuesday (alias Choccy)
Non-simultaneous Home Exchange
Simultaneous Home Exchange
Smoking Not Allowed
Children Welcome
Use of Personal Car is not possible
| Open to all dates and destinations |
Description of the home we are offering for exchange
Amazing views over the Pretoria landmark Erasmus Castle and the “kloof” (valley) in the upmarket Eastern suburbs of the Capital City. Hence the name of the suburb where you will be staying: Erasmus + Kloof! At night it is a carpet of little lights.
The accommodation is a first floor flat with a smallish private garden and access to the main dwellings’ larger garden. There is a cosy lounge with comfortable seating for six people, and is open plan to the kitchen. The lounge has a double sleeper-couch, which sleeping space is not added into the totals (we would prefer our guests to all have proper beds :-)). But, it is there if you have unforeseen visitors.
The kitchen is white, pristine clean and pretty with a cosy breakfast counter and a table-for-two to share a tea or a chat. It has cutlery and crockery in sets of six.
The main bedroom has a separate entrance, a queen bed and an en-suite bathroom with a shower. It has a small private patio. The room has a tea & coffee station.
The second bedroom has a double bed and ample closet space. There is a family bathroom with a shower and bath.
The third bedrrom has a three-quarter bed.
The apartment has access to the main dwelling upper deck/balcony via outside staircase to use for great sundowners and enjoying the view.
Type
Apartment/ Second home
Amenities
Entertainment
Setting
Description of our neighbourhood and surrounding area
The house is located on a hill area in die prestigious suburb of Erasmuskloof* in the east of Pretoria. It is close to the best shopping, the city tourist attractions, embassies, universities and several small nature reserves.
The Castle Walk Shopping Centre (which houses our local pub) is very close by and a prestigious private hospital (Kloof Hospital MediClinic) is on its doorstep. All this leads to higher than typical residential-area street car traffic; however - this property is located on a pan handle stand (not right on the busy feeding avenue) and is only surrounded by residential homes and accredited guesthouses. At night the whole commotion calms down and the property is peaceful and tranquil - with amazing city views from the terrace.
The location makes it very easy to get anywhere in Pretoria, it is one of the main connection hubs.
It is close to all the outdoor amenities and cultural places/events (that is expected of a Capital City) that I listed on my main home’s HomeLink listing; the two properties are so close - maybe 7 minutes drive apart.
None of the activities is really walking distance from the flat - except the mountain biking and extreme trail running tracks Wolwespruit**; but to get an Uber is easy. It is possible to go to Wolwespruit and just chill or walk around in nature. There is a restaurant too.
*The name ‘Erasmuskloof’ comes from the landmark Erasmus Castle which is situated in the suburb, which is entrenced with the history of the prominent Erasmus family, and the woord ‘Kloof’ means a steep valley of sorts between hills.
**The name ‘Wolwespruit’ comes from the stream / rivulet running across the land where the mountainbiking trails are. ‘Wolwe’ means wolfs and ‘spruit’ means rivulet.
Outdoor Activities
Leisure
Cultural Activities
Transport Nearby
Neighbourhood Services
Our home exchange - places to go and things to do while staying in our home
Please have a look at my main residence HomeLink information; it has all the same too :-)
Our favourite restaurants
Cafés & bars
Walks or jogging paths
Our home exchange - here are our Preferences and House Rules
It is important for us to find the property in the same condition as what we left it to you in (except - bedding does not have to be washed).
Rudi’s two semi-adult children (and their mom) are staying in the main house to which the flat is linked, whenever they are not with us. Neighbourly decency required, but - they will not bother you or invade your privacy, unless you want to be bothered! Then... just tell them :-) The properties have separate entrances and seperate private gardens and a shared bigger garden and shared outdoor terrace overlooking the night view.
Conditions
Use of Personal Car
Home Exchange Type
Over 70 years of home exchange experience
Local home swap representatives around the world to assist you
Travel, save and feel at home around the world!
