Lois

Hi - I'm Lois Sealey and, although I grew up on a farm in rural Ontario, I have lived in London since 1969.

I love going back 'home' to Canada but, when I see the beautiful patchwork of the English countryside from the air on coming back, I know that England is truly 'home' too.

When my children, Tanya and Mark (now in their early 30s) were young, I started a small business, Home Base Holidays, providing a home exchange service and, for the first 10 years, also publishing an annual guide to B & B in the USA and Canada. As the home exchange concept increased in popularity, I decided to devote all my time to developing this side of the business.

Pre-Internet, much time was spent in publishing and mailing print directories to all home exchange members three times a year. I set up my first website (pretty primitive but it worked!) in 1996 as I could see that this new medium was absolutely perfect for home exchange - members no longer had to wait to receive print directories before they could start contacting other members to suggest exchanges, and email made communication so much faster and cheaper.

I am still excited by the business and especially enjoy writing for this blog. I don't think I'll ever run out of ideas for topics to cover! Please note: this is not a 'personal' blog (although I do, of course, give my own vews) but is rather the compilation of valuable feedback from hundreds of home exchangers (and those interested in the concept) from all over the world - from a wide range of backgrounds, family types, ages, nationalities and varying exchange needs. I love getting feedback - both from experienced home exchangers and those completely new to the idea and possibly a bit apprehensive. I feel it is important in a blog about home exchange to cover topics from as many angles as possible to provide a useful, comprehensive overview. So please do contact me if you have any suggestions for topics. And do leave comments on the posts!

Apart from running the business (still a full-time job), I enjoy going to the theatre and exhibitions (a big advantage of living in London), meeting up with friends for lunch and walks, eating in and out (I particularly like the Indian restaurants in Brick Lane in East London where my son lives), reading, travel (when I can get away - and I try not to fly more than necessary now), and generally making the most of life.