Became a member in: 2006
Renewal Date: 15/Jan/2021
We are Jon and Lesley and have two grown-up daughters and five grand children. We are hoping for an exchange for ourselves and one of our daughters with her children aged 6 and 3 (in 2020).
Before retiring Jon was an engineer and Lesley was a district nurse. We love living in Cambridge and despite being here for 20 years we often find something new on our frequent walks or cycles into town.
We both enjoy dancing Lindy hop, international travel and skiing. Jon plays badmington, enjoys long-distance walking and attending lectures on all sorts of subjects in Cambridge. Lesley practices yoga, sings in a local choir and is an active book group member.
We run a small charity building household latrines in Ghana. Since 2017 we have housed injured hedgehogs in our garden.
We were members of HomeLink in 2007 and 2008 and had 5 very successful exchanges to Canada, New Zealand, Germany and Spain.
I'm afraid that at the moment we are specifically looking for a visit to Vancouver this summer and can't accept other offers - maybe later?
Additional languages spoken
French, Spanish
Affinities
Plants & Gardens,
Skiing,
Hiking,
Yoga / Meditation
MoreLessAffiliations
Retirees,
Medical & Healthcare Professionals,
Technology Professionals,
NGO workers
MoreLessProfession
Engineer / Nurse (Retired)
Our pets
Well not really pets. We have 3 rescue hedgehogs in the garden that we look after.
Simultaneous Home Exchange
Pet Care Needed
Smoking Not Allowed
Children Welcome
Use of Personal Car is possible
Open to all dates | Vancouver, BC, Canada | British Columbia, Canada |
Description of the home we are offering for exchange
We describe here our Cambridge home but a swap involving our daughter in Nelson, New Zealand may also be an option - let us know if interested.
Comfortable family home in a quiet close with 1 twin and 3 double bedrooms. It has spacious living / dining / conservatory area for all the family as well as a library/TV/exercise room. The kitchen includes a pull-out table for casual dining but you can also eat in the dining room, conservatory, summerhouse or patio. Take your choice.
There are three bath/shower rooms with toilets plus one toilet downstairs so nobody needs to wait long!
The good size garden is great for kids and includes a trampoline, with games equipment (badminton, table tennis, balls, inflatable pool etc) available from in the garage.
If the cherries or tomatoes (or anything else) are in season, help yourselves.
The centre of Cambridge is one mile away with easy access walking, cycling or by bus. Cambridge is a great place to explore.
We have an Audi A3 which we are willing to exchange if we can arrange insurance (which is not always easy with foreign visitors).
Type
House - 2 or more floors/ Main Residence
Amenities
Entertainment
Extras
Setting
Description of our neighbourhood and surrounding area
The Lawns is a quiet and safe area on the Western edge of the famous university city of Cambridge. We are just across the road from the university West site which is ideal for an evening stroll or for children to ride bikes off road and feed the ducks by the lake. With a temporary membership you can use the modern sports centre / gym on site.
We are also very close to the university observatory where you can stroll through the grounds, perhaps on your way to the supermarket which is less than a mile away on a cycle/walking route.
We are about one mile to the very centre of the city so it takes just 20 minutes to walk or 10 minutes by bike along a pleasant route which is largely off-road. You pass the university sports ground and main library, and cross the pictureque river Cam with views of various colleges including King's and St John's.
If you prefer to take the bus there is a bus stop a couple of hundred meters from the house which goes close to the city centre, passes the beautiful botanic gardens and also goes to the train station (London King's Cross station is a 50 minute train journey).
We have lots of adults' and children's bikes for you to use to explore the area. One option is to cycle or walk along the river-side meadows to Grantchester and enjoy a snack or meal in The Orchard. (Check out Grantchester on wikipedia.)
I'll not describe Cambridge - I suspect you have heard of it! (If not go to wikipedia again for history, climate etc.)
Outdoor Activities
Leisure
Cultural Activities
Transport Nearby
Neighbourhood Services
Our home exchange - places to go and things to do while staying in our home
Cambridge!
With 32 colleges and 50 departments you can't move far in Cambridge without seeing the university which dates from 1209. Many colleges can be visited (except during exam time) and apart from the popular ones this is free.
Of the 587 Nobel laureates worldwide 120 are associated with Cambridge university.
There are (about) 18 museums in Cambridge, many associated with the university, so just about any interest is represented.
With several venues for live shows and two multi-screen cinemas there is no lack of entertainment.
There are countless pubs, cafes and restaurants - too many to list but you will not go hungry or thirsty. Maybe try the The Eagle dating from 1666, which is where Watson and Crick anounced they had "discovered the secret of life" - DNA.
If you have young children with you there are numerous (free) public swing parks including one with a large paddling pool. For more excitement try one of the 'soft play' areas in or near Cambridge.
Check out some of the picturesque villages nearby, starting with Grantchester just 3 miles upstream from Cambridge.
Within about half an hour's drive you can reach:
- Angelsey abbey (National Trust)
- Wimpole estate including kids' farm (National Trust)
- Ickworth manor (Nation Trust)
- The Imperial War Museum at Duxford with planes from Spitfires to B52 and Concord
- Shepreth wildlife park - great for kids
Within an hour's drive you can reach
- Bletchley park, home of the code breakers and the first digital computer
- Milton Keynes for a touch of indoor skiing of indoors skydiving
- London on the train.
Oh dear, this list is getting too long. Just come and find out what a great place this is to visit.
Our favourite restaurants
Cafés & bars
Special places to shop
Leisure and cultural activities
Walks or jogging paths
Health or fitness clubs
Interesting day trips
Our home exchange - here are our Preferences and House Rules
We have three rescue hedgehogs in the garden which need food putting out each evening. Neighbours can help out if you will be away overnight.
Indoor plant care is not critical but if it is hot and dry a quick hosepipe session in the garden would be appreciated.
Conditions
Use of Personal Car
Home Exchange Type
Became a member in: 2006
Renewal Date: 15/Jan/2021
We are Jon and Lesley and have two grown-up daughters and five grand children. We are hoping for an exchange for ourselves and one of our daughters with her children aged 6 and 3 (in 2020).
Before retiring Jon was an engineer and Lesley was a district nurse. We love living in Cambridge and despite being here for 20 years we often find something new on our frequent walks or cycles into town.
We both enjoy dancing Lindy hop, international travel and skiing. Jon plays badmington, enjoys long-distance walking and attending lectures on all sorts of subjects in Cambridge. Lesley practices yoga, sings in a local choir and is an active book group member.
We run a small charity building household latrines in Ghana. Since 2017 we have housed injured hedgehogs in our garden.
We were members of HomeLink in 2007 and 2008 and had 5 very successful exchanges to Canada, New Zealand, Germany and Spain.
I'm afraid that at the moment we are specifically looking for a visit to Vancouver this summer and can't accept other offers - maybe later?
Additional languages spoken
French, Spanish
Affinities
Plants & Gardens,
Skiing,
Hiking,
Yoga / Meditation
MoreLessAffiliations
Retirees,
Medical & Healthcare Professionals,
Technology Professionals,
NGO workers
MoreLessProfession
Engineer / Nurse (Retired)
Our pets
Well not really pets. We have 3 rescue hedgehogs in the garden that we look after.
Over 70 years of home exchange experience
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