"What was meant to be a brief guide (to our home) is beginning to look like a paunchy version of the Encyclopaedia Britannica. How do I sum up, in less than 1000 words, the unfathomable habits of our TV remote control? Do I own up to the fact that Thursday night is bell-ringing practice in the nearby church, and dinner will need to be conducted with the help of a loud-hailer? And would it be melodramatic to mention the wooden drawer containing the cutlery that slips straight out if you pull it too hard, crashing to the floor and breaking your toes in the process?"
"... I have decided I might have to stay behind and hide in a cupboard. That way I can leap out wildly, Basil Fawlty-style, shouting 'It's only the squirrel!' every time my friends are petrified by demonic scrabbling noises on the conservatory roof."
This is a quote from a very funny article by Lesley Hannaford-Hill on preparing her home for home exchange guests, published in the June issue of House Beautiful magazine. Lesley's comments will probably sound familiar to many home exchangers, especially first timers leading busy lives who may feel that their less than perfect homes will let them down. As Lesley says, "Sustaining the pretence of domestic goddessness over two weeks? There are simply not enough cupboards or spaces under the beds to cope..."
In a recent telephone interview I took part in on BBC Radio Norfolk, the second guest, an experienced home swapper, mentioned that his wife worried more about getting their home ready before exchanges than he did and he felt (although he did qualify this blanket statement!) that perhaps women were more likely to feel judged by the state of their homes than men generally are. Unfortunately, as sometimes happens with radio interviews by phone, I was cut off and didn't hear the remainder of this interesting discussion on home exchange holidays.
There are many Home Base Holidays members' homes that look absolutely stunning and it's understandable that some people new to home swapping may feel a little intimidated by these. However, the vast majority of 'real' homely homes (especially those where children and/or pets live) are likely to have a few quirks or a room or two due for re-decoration. Although preparing ahead for guests (whether for home exchange partners, family or friends coming to stay), can be a good excuse to rally the family troops to do those little jobs around the house you've been putting off, no one wants to go on holiday completely worn out from a major house renovation blitz!
During your correspondence with potential home exchange partners you should get a good idea of their attitudes to housework - whether very laid back or extremely house proud - and only agree to go ahead with an exchange with those you feel have similar standards to your own and who are most likely to find your home just fine for their needs as you are theirs.