Tanya
Canada
Oct 7, 2022 - Jun 30, 2023
Became a member in: 2004
Renewal Date: 31/Dec/2025
Retired public servant.
Additional languages spoken
French
Affinities
Plants & Gardens,
Bridge,
Hiking,
Foodies,
The Arts,
Music Lovers
MoreLessAffiliations
Retirees
Tanya
Canada
Simultaneous Home Exchange
Long-term Home Exchange
Sabbatical Home Exchange
Smoking Not Allowed
Children Welcome
Use of Personal Car is possible
Open to all dates | Central London, London, UK | Scotland, UK |
Description of the home we are offering for exchange
Two storey house in Esquimalt, close to Victoria, BC. Sleeps four on two separate floors: Main floor has bedroom with en-suite bath, powder room, and large office, plus living room, dining room and kitchen. Lower floor (semi-basement) has a full one-bedroom apartment. Central heating and gas fireplace. Garage and off-street parking. Garden and deck with gas BBQ. Internet access and television.
Type
House - 2 or more floors/ Main Residence
Amenities
Entertainment
Extras
Setting
Description of our neighbourhood and surrounding area
Esquimalt is a charming historic municipality with Canada's Pacific Fleet and other military facilities. Extensive seashore with parks and interesting walks. Forty-minute walk to downtown Victoria on the Westbay Walkway or a 10-minute bus ride with frequent service and a water bus in season. There is a municipal library and recreation centre (with pool and skating and curling rinks) within a 10-minute walk, as well as shopping: grocery stores, pharmacies, pubs, restaurants, liquor stores, coffee shops...
Victoria is the capital of the province of BC and as a result of surprisingly sophisticated for its size. It is said to have more restaurants per capita than anywhere in Canada. It is also a musical city, with a symphony orchestra, numerous choirs and music of all types. Even a jazz club. There's a lively theatre scene.
Victoria also has access to astoundingly beautiful wilderness on Vancouver Island but there are numerous wonderful walks and hikes close by. It's a major birding site in winter. Off Island, there is passenger and car ferry access to the Gulf Islands in the Strait of Georgia, Vancouver BC and Port Angeles (Washington State) and passenger service to Seattle. There is also harbour plane and HeliJet service available.
Outdoor Activities
Leisure
Cultural Activities
Transport Nearby
Neighbourhood Services
Our home exchange - places to go and things to do while staying in our home
Victoria is the capital of the province of BC and as a result is surprisingly sophisticated for its size. It is said to have more restaurants per capita than anywhere in Canada. It is also a musical city, with a symphony orchestra, numerous choirs and music of all types. Even a jazz club. There's a lively theatre scene and an annual film festival.
Speaking of winter, Victoria has a "modified Mediterranean" climate, with hot dry summers and mild winters. Although it can be cloudy and rainy in the winter months, the flowers start blooming in January and the grass is green all winter. Annual rainfall is 58 mm (23 inches), compared with London at 69/27 and Vancouver at 146/47! The peak rainfall is in November.
Downtown Victoria has public and private galleries and museums and a beautiful Inner Harbour with Fisherman's Wharf, the Bateman Centre (wildlife artist Robert Bateman), historic homes open to visitors, historic cemeteries, and fabulous gardens. Butchart Gardens is a big draw, but Abkhazi Garden is my favourite.
The natural setting is, frankly, gorgeous. And it's a wonderful place for birds, especially in the winter. Victoria has access to astoundingly beautiful wilderness on Vancouver Island but there are wonderful walks and hikes close by too. Off Island, there is passenger and car ferry access to the Gulf Islands in the Strait of Georgia, Vancouver BC and Port Angeles (Washington State) and passenger service to Seattle. There is also harbour plane and helijet service available.
Our favourite restaurants
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
The house is not suitable for young children, since the bedrooms are on different floors. Older children welcome. No smoking or vaping inside or out, please. Garden work if you like but not necessary. The usual respect and courtesy of living in another's home are expected and returned.
Conditions
Use of Personal Car
Home Exchange Type
Became a member in: 2004
Renewal Date: 31/Dec/2025
Retired public servant.
Additional languages spoken
French
Affinities
Plants & Gardens,
Bridge,
Hiking,
Foodies,
The Arts,
Music Lovers
MoreLessAffiliations
Retirees
Tanya
Canada
Over 70 years of home exchange experience
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