Melanie
United States
Jun 1, 2020 - Aug 31, 2021
Became a member in: 2019
Renewal Date: 31/Oct/2022
Barry and I sold our textile business a few years ago and decided to take a year off to travel - seven years later and we are still enjoying our year off! I think it may be permanent.
We usually travel as a couple and prefer longer exchanges where possible. Sometimes one or both of our daughters or my sister may join us.
We are all non smokers, animal lovers (lots of pet sitting experience) and have been swapping on various sites for a long time (god reviews you’ll be pleased to hear).
Additional languages spoken
Japanese
Affinities
Plants & Gardens,
Pets,
Hiking,
Foodies,
The Arts
MoreLessAffiliations
Retirees,
Seniors,
Artists / Entertainment Industry
Melanie
United States
Non-simultaneous Home Exchange
Simultaneous Home Exchange
Sabbatical Home Exchange
Hospitality Exchange Offered
Homesit Offered
Smoking Not Allowed
No Children Please
Use of Personal Car is not possible
Open to all dates | New York, NY, USA |
Open to all dates | Iceland |
Description of the home we are offering for exchange
Cosy and eclectic home with a garden, perfect for a couple. Escape the hurlyburly of London in our serene private walled garden or walk around the corner for a selection of pavement cafes, bars, restaurants and much more.
Our home is a ground floor apartment, one of two in a terraced house. The sitting room has double glazed windows to keep out any road noise and big squishy sofas.
The bedroom houses a 5’ bed, with a ceiling fan to cool you should we have a hot summer (it does happen!). I empty a closet so you will have ample space for your wardrobe. It’s away from the road so no noise at all to disturb your sleep.
The bathroom has a rain shower over the tub and constant hot water.
The kitchen is my favourite place. I had it remodeled two years ago with a new glass ceiling to let in light and it’s a joy for me to cook in. Lots of gadgets to help you create a delicious dinner after a day sightseeing. There’s a dining table there too.
Leading from the kitchen is our little patch of (fake) grass where we love to relax with a glass of wine and a good book (there’s usually a good selection to chose from).
Type
Apartment/ Main Residence
Amenities
Entertainment
Extras
Setting
Description of our neighbourhood and surrounding area
Oxford Street, the City and Buckingham Palace are just a tube ride away. The nearest station is a 3min walk and you can be at, say, Baker Street about 10mins later.
Heathrow is about 30mins by taxi (£30). or you can go by Heathrow Express (usually no bargain) or from our local station with one change you can get there in about an hour using an Oyster Card for under £5 each.
Queens Park is a very hip area, lots of “yummy mummies”, young professionals and creative types alongside the typical London ethnic population. It’s like a mini Hampstead in that it has a villagey feel and, instead of the famous Heath, we have a beautiful park with tennis, putting green, woodland walk and open air gym.
All of London is easily accessible, but if you want to relax a bit we have plenty to entertain you within a 5min walk - pavement cafes, Starbucks, bars, sushi, a gallery, a great (but expensive) boutique, library and Gail’s bakery and a Sunday farmers market. There is a branch of M&S Food and Planet Organic (Iike Wholefoods) Is opening in a couple of weeks.
There is a bus right outside that can take you to a huge Sainsbury supermarket where you can also walk along the Grand Union Canal. A few minutes further and the bus will drop you right inside the immense Westfield White City Mall which has shops ranging from Prada to Primark, a big Japanese area, multiscreen movie theatre and so much more I haven’t even discovered it all.
Outdoor Activities
Leisure
Cultural Activities
Transport Nearby
Neighbourhood Services
Our home exchange - places to go and things to do while staying in our home
There is a big public sports centre with indoor pool just 10mins walk away and even closer there are a number of facilities such as gyms, reformer studios, hot yoga, Pilates and more.
Our home exchange - here are our Preferences and House Rules
We hope to find our home as we leave it. We ask you to strip the beds but we will take care of the washing.
We have a shoes policy to protect our walnut floors and do ask you to abide by this.
We can accommodate a third guest on the sofa or an air bed by prior arrangement only.
Before you arrive I will provide a file of house notes which you need to read so that you understand the heating controls etc.
Strictly no smoking inside or out.
Conditions
Use of Personal Car
Home Exchange Type
Became a member in: 2019
Renewal Date: 31/Oct/2022
Barry and I sold our textile business a few years ago and decided to take a year off to travel - seven years later and we are still enjoying our year off! I think it may be permanent.
We usually travel as a couple and prefer longer exchanges where possible. Sometimes one or both of our daughters or my sister may join us.
We are all non smokers, animal lovers (lots of pet sitting experience) and have been swapping on various sites for a long time (god reviews you’ll be pleased to hear).
Additional languages spoken
Japanese
Affinities
Plants & Gardens,
Pets,
Hiking,
Foodies,
The Arts
MoreLessAffiliations
Retirees,
Seniors,
Artists / Entertainment Industry
Melanie
United States
Over 70 years of home exchange experience
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