Travel the Home Exchange Way

Blog Action Day 09 Climate Change: What Can a Home Exchanger Do?

This is the third year we have participated in Blog Action Day and this year’s cause, climate change, is such an urgent issue that no one or any government in the world can afford to ignore it one day longer. Climate change affects us all but the world’s poorest and most vulnerable are already suffering most.

 

This home exchange blog is all about travel and, in the light of the effects on climate from air travel in particular, it seems very wrong to encourage further travel. However, to be realistic, people who can afford to will continue to travel and it seems far better to promote a responsible attitude than to discourage travel altogether. After all, travel does have many benefits and, when undertaken sensitively (swapping to homes that would otherwise be empty rather than contributing to the destruction of natural resources to build more hotels in tourist ghettos) increases tolerance and understanding of other cultures.

 

It may be more a direct result of the downturn in the economy worldwide for many rather than a conscious decision to cut down on air travel (although I do believe home exchangers are particularly responsible people), but there has been a definite trend for more Home Base Holidays members to seek home swaps closer to home this year. Long haul destinations may not be quite so much in demand as a few years ago but many home exchangers do still want to travel to far off countries (some to visit family), only now more are planning longer exchanges rather than zipping halfway across the world for a week at a time several times a year. Not everyone can take the time off of course but, for retired members and the many now who can  combine work with a holiday wherever there is an Internet connection, this is a practical and sensible choice. With no accommodation costs (and often no car hire or pet care expenses), making the most of a lengthy exchange holiday makes sense both financially and for the environment.

 

In the run-up to an exchange, think of any improvements you can make to your home to cut down on energy use and general wastage. Do drafty windows or inadequate insulation make you crank up the heat in winter? If you are exchanging with someone from a warmer climate who may feel the cold more than you do, this is a particularly good time to do those jobs to make your home cosier without the need for the central heating to be up high.

 

When compiling an information folder for your exchange guests, include details of anything that will both keep your bills down and save energy and thus be climate friendly; a few examples:

• how to set the heating to come on for short periods twice a day when they plan to be out all day
• encourage the use of public transport whenever possible even if you agree to swap cars
• leave instructions on how to recycle as much as possible
• give details of markets that sell locally produced food
• offer to lend heavy outdoor clothing and boots to save your guests buying and bringing items they won’t otherwise need

This is a ‘starter’ list. Do you have suggestions for more ways home exchangers can still enjoy travel while minimising damage to our fragile climate? Do leave a comment below.

 

When last checked, 6000+ bloggers had signed up to Blog Action Day. All will be writing on climate change today, from many different perspectives. See ideas for taking action on climate change issues beyond  Blog Action Day.

Blog Action Day 2008 Poverty: Shelter - Helping the Homeless

This blog is all about home exchange, a way of having a rent-free holiday and your home lived in and cared for by exchange guests while you are away. The premise of course is that you have a home, owned or rented, to swap for another. But today, Blog Action Day, when bloggers all over the world will be writing about poverty, is a good time to stop and reflect on the many people in the world who don't have a home or whose living conditions are sub standard or precarious.

As Home Base Holidays is based in London, this year I've chosen to draw attention to Shelter, the UK housing and homelessness charity:

'Shelter believes everyone should have a home. We help people find and keep a home. We campaign for decent housing for all.'

Shelter is a many faceted charity whose work is described via the circular graph on 'How we make a difference'. Check Shelter for sources of advice on housing issues and information on how you can get involved in supporting the charity.

And don't forget to visit the Blog Action Day 2008 website for posts published today on the issue of poverty in all its forms and how we can all get involved and make a difference, whether in a local charity, an international organisation or through pressure on local and national governments. No one is immune to the current economic turmoil and uncertainty but, as always, it is our poorest citizens who suffer most and need our help more than ever.

http://blogactionday.org/js/c50e10b7fa80fef706d7686f4c22c22730ce6aa8

Home Base Holidays: Home Exchange Member Testimonials

Last week I looked at the problem of testimonials you might have come across on business websites that can't easily be verified as genuine, and the benefits of being able to check ratings and comments on an independent website (Know Your Trade: Home Exchange Member Ratings). For home exchange, the site to check for unbiased and authenticated ratings is Know Your Trade.

Several members have already rated Home Base Holidays on Know Your Trade and left thoughtful comments. This is much appreciated. Just to give a taster from some of the comments left (followed by a brief summary of quoted members' exchange offers):

Comment: 'I love this site! I have been a home exchanger for quite a few years and this is my favourite site because of the wonderful choice and the well managed site. It's easy to navigate too. Also it has a useful newsletter with helpful contributions from members.' D. Barry, Australia

Sydney, NSW, Australia: Our apartment in Mosman Cienna is in a most convenient position close to fashionable shops and restaurants and a 12 minute bus ride to downtown Sydney. See full exchange offer, HE16002

Comment: 'Having done hours of research on all available clubs, I have come to find Home Base Holidays the best out there. It is easy to follow and there seems to be far more members on this site (compared to others) from all corners of the globe, which makes for exciting opportunities to venture and experience the world ... I am not the best with computers and felt immediately at ease with the site set up as well as the one to one immediate feedback that I received from Home Base about any questions I had regarding house swapping ... Without a doubt a big thumbs up!' Aimee Kerr, Ireland

Greystones, Wicklow, Ireland: Bright and spacious modern home in an old seaside village near Dublin. Greystones is a fantastic town where you can enjoy the beach, restaurants and great shops as well as the great traditional live music scene in the old pubs. See full exchange offer, HE19860

Comment: 'I belong to 3 "home Exchange" groups and have found HBH to be the best! All the information on how to get started, how to set up an agreement, how to enjoy your holiday with with the least amount of stress was there to read. I didn't have to go to 30 different places to find what I needed.' P. Henderson, USA

Springfield, Massachusetts, USA: 75 year old colonial house; sits on an old tree lined street away from city bussle, easy access to all major highways. 1.25 hrs to Boston, 3 hrs to New York City. See full exchange offer, HE13370

Comment: 'The agency have been extremely helpful and approachable when I have contacted them by phone. The site is very user friendly and the newsletter which is sent out is very informative.' Mrs Bev Morgan, England

Newnham-On-Severn, Gloucestershire, England: We live in a 17th Century Merchants house, with many original features including oak beams and open fires, which we have carefully restored. The house is on 3 stories with views over the River Severn and the Cotswold hills. See full exchange offer, HE19907

Comment: 'I have just renewed my membership for a further 2 years. This was by the far the easiest website to use and add my details to.' Kathy Gower, France

Saint Savin, Poitou-Charentes France: Our 3/4 bed longhouse is set in an acre of wooded garden, plenty of shade for the heat of the summer. Beautiful rural France, 40 mins from Poitiers and Furturoscope, 1.5 hours to Limoges, 20 mins Montmorillon (The Town of Writers) and within the triangle of ancient churches. See full exchange offer, HE15259

Comment: 'We have had four wonderful holidays so far with another planned for Christmas. The homes have all been of a good standard and we have enjoyed meeting our fellow swappers. The site is easy to use and I have been very impressed by the helpful attention we have received from Lois Sealey who manages the site. I would have no hesitation in recommending the site to friends and have done so for a number of people.' Jan Naish-Wallis, New Zealand

Auckland, New Zealand: Our home is an attractive 2 storey English style home set on a small beach just out of Auckland. See full exchange offer, HE13992

Comment: 'I have liked Home Base Holidays a lot. There are many listings in the area I want to travel: the UK. I like the way the site is organized and the information about exchanges that are included. It is easy to find your way around the web site. And especially I have enjoyed the administrative support from Lois Sealey. She has been terrific. She is prompt in answering questions and giving help. She seems like my new "best friend".' Nancy Robb, USA

Albany, Oregon, USA: My home is a two story modern house with all conveniences. Located in Albany, a town of 45,000, in a lovely valley between 2 mountain ranges, one volcanic. See full exchange offer, HE17903

This is just a small selection. All of the members quoted above have given Home Base Holidays the top, 'three house' rating. Apologies if I didn't include a quote from your comment. It was really difficult to choose from such a great selection. I have always felt that it's members who make a home exchange service into a real club (through enthusiasm for the concept, consideration to other members and their valuable contributions to the newsletter and blog). We have a great bunch of members at Home Base Holidays!

Appeal for Home Exchange (or Other Accommodation) Near Cedars Sinai Hospital, Beverly Hills

This is a special appeal to anyone, Home Base Holidays members, members or agents from other home exchange clubs, or anyone who lives near Cedars Sinai Hospital, Beverly Hills, who might be able to either do a non-simultaneous exchange or offer accommodation close to the hospital, to please get in touch. Here's the story behind this appeal and I hope that through spreading the word as widely as possible, we can draw on the resources of the whole home exchange community and find someone able to offer help:

Dear Lois,

I am writing because I was just diagnosed with Hairy Cell Leukemia a week ago and I'm 25 weeks pregnant with a girl. (We already have a 3 year old boy, Daxton, so we're very excited). The best treatment I can get in the area is at Cedars Sinai in Beverly Hills, but that is about an hour's drive away without traffic and can be 2 or more hours....plus I have to go there every couple of days for treatment.

I thought I might find someone who lives close to Cedars who would be willing to let us use their home for a couple of months during my treatment, but haven't had any luck so far. I just wanted to see if you know of any members in the Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, West LA, Brentwood, or any of the surrounding areas close to Cedars Sinai Hospital? Or if you know anyone personally or have any ideas for me. I realize you may not know how to help me, but I thought it was worth the inquiry.

Thanks so much and I hope you are well. By the way - my Leukemia is treatable and curable, I just need to get the baby out first and then I can start treatment! I also may have a surgery next week to remove my spleen.

Best,

Leslie

Leslie was delightful to correspond with during a period when she was promoting her start-up business (no longer operating) and had just discovered home exchange and Home Base Holidays. Leslie wrote an article, Long Haul Home Exchange with a Toddler, for Home Swappers Newsletter last year, relating the story of her first home exchanges in Holland and Germany with husband, David, and son, Daxton, in 2006 (photo is of their home in LA). Leslie's enthusiasm for everything she does shines through in her writing (I first discovered Leslie through the blog she had started to promote her business and was so impressed by her upbeat attitude to everything she was involved with that I felt compelled to write and encourage her in her new venture). I do hope we in the home exchange community can help find suitable accommodation near Cedars Sinai to at least eliminate the additional stress of travel from her home during Leslie's on-going treatment immediately after the birth of her baby at the same hospital (late July/early August).

Understandably, Leslie and David won't be able to consider a simultaneous exchange at this difficult time but, if you might be able to help, either by considering a non-simultaneous exchange (your part of the exchange to be taken later) or can possibly provide other short term accommodation near the hospital during the period of Leslie's treatment, please use the contact form to send your message (type 'For Leslie' in the subject line) or leave a comment at the end of this post and I will forward it to Leslie and David who will reply directly.

If you publish a blog or newsletter that could reach readers who live near Cedars Sinai who might be able to help, please feel free to reproduce this post or part of it. Forward any offers you receive for Leslie and I will pass these on. If you are a member of another home exchange agency, it would be helpful to include the agency site URL and your reference ID, or a direct link to your listing, within your message (see link to contact form above). If you live near the hospital and can suggest possible rental accommodation or useful contacts, please also get in touch. Every lead will be helpful and appreciated.

I will be waiting anxiously to hear of the safe delivery of Leslie's baby daughter and then her speedy recovery from Leukemia so that she can re-gain her strength and enjoy her young family to the full as soon as possible.

Check out the family's comfortable home with mountain views in Los Angeles. The house is fully equipped for young children, with lots of hiking trails within walking distance. See the full exchange offer, HE18192.

Do a Charity Walk While on a Home Exchange

If you like walking (or running) what better way to explore the area near your home exchange home than to take part in a local charity walk. You not only see new places on a planned route, get some good exercise and meet local people but also help a good cause with your donation.

One of the recent charity events I took part in, an eight mile walk from North London to Westminster to raise money for our local hospice, followed a delightful route through seven parks. I saw parts of London from a totally new perspective even though I have lived here for many years.

If your exchange is in the UK, take a walk down the High St. closest to your exchange home and you are bound to see a number of charity shops. Many shops will display posters advertising coming events and fundraisers. You will also find information in local newspapers, on national charity websites and, of course, your home exchange partners are bound to be able to provide some suggestions and sources of information before your holiday.

Photo from Big Fun Walk 2008 courtesy of North London Hospice

Can a Home Exchange be Good for the Environment?

I have touched on the potentially greener apects of swapping homes as a way of travel before but today's post is especially for Blog Action Day, when thousands of bloggers will be publishing posts on the crucial topic of protecting our environment.

Of course, if you fly thousands of miles for a short home swap, your flight will cause much more damage to the environment than if you had stayed at home. However, if, like many home exchangers, you have made a conscious decision to fly less, choosing destinations closer to home for at least some of your holidays, preferably places you can get to by train or, if your exchange does involve a long haul flight, you make the most of your time away by having an extended holiday, then you are, as a home exchanger, a greener traveller.

The over development of many popular tourist areas with more and more hotel complexes that blight the very environment that visitors come to enjoy is one good reason to consider alternative types of accommodation. Home exchange, in contrast to hotels, makes use of buildings already available that would otherwise be empty while the owners are away. Using homes for accommodation is preferable to contributing to building more hotels, with their almost inherent waste of valuable resources such as water and electricity.

Bloggers Against Abuse Day: Amnesty International

This blog focuses on home exchange and I try not to stray off topic too often. However, today is a special day for bloggers around the world, a day when many will be publishing posts about abuse in all it's terrible forms - from domestic violence, cruelty to animals, school bullying, prisoners detained without fair trials, in fact, to abuses of all kinds.

This day, when bloggers are uniting to draw attention to abuse, came about from a call for joint action a few weeks ago on the discussion board of BlogCatalog, a social blog directory. Bloggers Against Abuse September 27th, 2007 snowballed as the idea was forwarded to many others in the vast blogging community worldwide.

Every blogger will have their reasons for focusing on a particular form of abuse today, some no doubt from painful personal experiences, others from a concern for a local or widespread abuse that has particularly affected them.

I would like to draw attention to the work of Amnesty International. I have signed many Amnesty petitions over the years, each highlighting a particular case of terrible injustice to a fellow human being. Reading the literature always leaves me feeling overwhelmed by the enormity, and seemingly never ending cases of serious abuse. I have always had an admiration for Amnesty volunteers, like the elderly woman in our London suburb who sets up her table in our busy shopping street on many Saturdays during the year, rain or shine. With the latest petitions displayed on neat rows of clipboards across the table, she quietly explains each special case in turn to any of the busy shoppers who stop by.

The Purpose of Amnesty as stated on the website speaks for itself:

'We are ordinary people from around the world standing up for humanity and human rights. Our purpose is to protect individuals wherever justice, fairness, freedom and truth are denied.'

The next time you see an Amnesty stand, please take the time to stop. Read the harrowing personal case details and sign your name to each petition as a tiny gesture towards stopping abuse wherever it's found. Find out more about what you might do to help the work of Amnesty, get involved in the discussions on the Amnesty blog and, if you have a blog or website, stand up for human rights by spreading the word with Amnesty and sign up to receive regular email updates on their campaigns, reports and events.