Swap Homes, Cars and Wild Birds?!!

Yes, I am talking about the feathered variety. For the last six months we exchanged our home in mid South-West France for a cottage high up on Cartmel Fell in the English Lake District. The cottage was just above the cottage in which Arthur Ransome lived and wrote his children’s books, the most famous of which is Swallows and Amazons. It was easy to see where Mr Ransome got his inspiration as the view from the top of the Tor just behind our cottage, on a good day, was incredible.
But as autumn faded into winter and the wet weather prevailed the mists closed in and we were often lucky if we could see more than ten yards ahead.

Surrounded on the Fell by sheep, bullocks, badgers, pheasants, the odd hare or two, and many other creatures, we soon discovered that a very handsome pheasant, although nervous of us at first, seemed to think that this was his territory. As the weather deteriorated poor Frederick as we named him would appear looking very forlorn and bedraggled. It wasn’t long before we took pity on him and offered a few titbits, nuts, seeds, and homemade bread. Obviously to his liking he began to makea daily visit to see what was on offer, becoming so bold as to eat out of our hands, a particular favourite of his being cold chips. He would even enter the cottage if the door was left inadvertently open.

Well, I know that dogs are very intelligent animals, and cats even more so judging by the way that they are able to twist their owners round their little paws, but when Frederick took to visiting three times a day at breakfast, lunch and tea-time, knocking on the door with his beak to let us know he wanted feeding, or jumping up on the windowsill and croaking to attract attention, we were amazed! Were we really at the 'peck and call' of a pheasant?! (Excuse the pun!)

When the time came for us finally to leave the cottage, we were happy that it was almost the first day of spring, as we felt that Fred should have a relatively easy time fending for himself and we comforted ourselves with the thought that the new residents would surely respond to his forthright requests should the need arise!

Accessible travel the Home Exchange Way

As regular readers of the GTI Home Exchange blog will be aware, we have illustrated before how home exchange can make the world more accessible for people with limited mobility or other disabilities. In the past members have written telling us how well they coped when undertaking significant journeys such as between UK and Australia, or Canada, accompanied by their scooters, confident in the knowledge that when they arrived at their destination they would find a home that met their specialist needs.

It is always gratifying to learn that the word about home exchange is spreading, and particularly so when it reaches those people with special requirements to whom it can make such a difference and perhaps allow them to take that trip or holiday they have always dreamed of. We were therefore delighted to learn that an article about home exchange appeared in the March issue of the French magazine Faire Face, published by the French Association for the Paralysed, which selected GTI Home Exchange as being one of the most helpful to paraplegic exchangers seeking accommodation with compatible exchange partners. Nos lecteurs français peuvent lire l'article dans le magazine Faire Face, "Séjours: pretez-vous à l'échange?".

Homes which are accessible for disabled people are indicated in the GTI Home Exchange listings with a wheelchair pictogram. Advanced Search criteria allow the listings for homes with Disabled Access/Facilities to be found, and a Free text search can be used for more specific criteria such as 'wheelchair', 'ramp' 'hoist' etc. So please, if you are listing a home which has very specialised equipment to offer, be sure to include as much detail as possible in either the 'Description of the exchange property' or 'Information on the exchange party' fields when completing the membership registration form so that others who are seeking an accessible home are aware of what it has to offer.

GTI Home Exchange can help you take that dream holiday, stay longer, spend less and live like a local! Overseas accessible travel with no surprises...
the way you imagined it should be.

Learning your Home Exchange Partner's Language

Learn to speak the Language to make the most of your Home Exchange

GTI Home Exchange takes pride in being a multi-lingual home exchange agency and encourages members to use their language skills when communicating with each other. If you are prepared to make an effort and can learn just a little of your exchange partner's language, it will make all the difference to the rapport that you can build up whilst getting to know them and making your home exchange arrangements. The BBC provides some excellent on-line language learning videos with methods and materials which not only rapidly improve your language skills, but what's more, actually make learning a language fun. The courses include videos, quizzes, games whilst at the same time helping you to improve your vocabulary and grammar along the way. Take a look!

Retirement Travel : a possible dream

Every day I seem to come across new blogs on home exchange: one of the most interesting I have read recently has been retirement travel : a possible dream. The blog, written by Pat and Lew Weinstein who reside in Key West, Florida, contains a mine of information both about home exchange and the possibilities of spending part of your retirement in another country - in this instance France. They write about how they found their apartment in a seaside village in the South of France and use it as a base for home exchange travel all over Europe. But not only is their residence in France part-time, it would seem that for Lew, an author, retirement is part-time too as he has just published his book "The Heretic" which is receiving acclaim reviews.

Going Green on Home Exchange

Now that global warming and environmental issues have moved from being issues of concern for the conscientious few to being seen as a major issue of persuasion in the political arena, it is hoped that more effective policies for sustainable development will emerge, and with more urgency than they have received over the last twenty years or so.

Launching and administering Green Theme International Home Exchange over that last twenty years has shown that home (or hospitality) exchange is gaining favour with those who are concerned about the negative impact of package holidays and the tourism industry on the environment and the social fabric of local communities.

But, you will say, people still have to reach their destinations, and travel involving the burning of fossil fuels is one of the major contributors to global warming. It is true that most of us travel to international destinations by aircraft and they are serious polluters. Whilst you may not think there is much you can do other than to stop travelling, you could consider calculating your carbon dioxide flight emissions and paying an equivalent voluntary carbon neutral tax as suggested at the Carbon Neutral Company site.

Another suggestion for non-intercontinental travel is to let the train take the strain. Travelling by train produces fare less carbon emissions than other forms of transport. However, travel by train does tend to be expensive, but you can RIDE THE RAILS FOR LESS! if you buy a pass. Eurail passes aren’t only good for slower, state-run trains. Customers also have access to privately owned, premier, high-speed trains in the countries their passes cover. For example, there’s Artesia between Italy and France; Thalys in Germany, Belgium, and France; and the Eurostar between England and France. Pass holders do need to pay a small fee for a seat reservation.

For more train travel advice see Telegraph travel journalist Sophie Butler's article European railways are a far cry from our own - and new passes will make exploring them even more attractive.

Tickets and passes For more information on tickets and passes contact Rail Europe (08708 304862; www.raileurope.co.uk) or visit the Travel Centre at 178 Piccadilly, London W1. For planning itineraries see the Thomas Cook European Rail Timetable – Independent Travellers’ Edition (published quarterly at £15.99). Contact Thomas Cook Publishing (01733 416477; www.thomascookpublishing.com). Details about the new TGV line are available at www.tgvesteuropeen.com.

Cars and other motor vehicles are major contributors to greenhouse gases and other pollutants because, traditionally, they burn fossil fuels. The condition worsens daily with detrimental consequences to the earth's fauna and flora. If you are unable to consider travelling by train, and you have a choice of what vehicle you use, or which car you choose to hire, try to use vehicles which rely less on fossil fuels and instead burn a proportion of renewable fuels. Comprehensive information about which cars can be considered the most green is available at the following web page.

If you want to access more information about caring for the environment, Envocare is one of the best sites I have come across for impartial non-commercial information on the topic. The site was “conceived as a central source of data on environmental issues by a small group of individuals, with backgrounds in the electronics and IT disciplines, who wish to encourage the preservation and improvement of the environment”. Their philosophy is pragmatic. “To encourage change it's got to be an easy process, or maybe we won't bother. Also we believe that it is better to be Light Green than not Green at all. Perhaps with encouragement we can evolve painlessly from Light to Darker shades of Green".

Also see Untangling the Global Warming Paradox", Guardian Unlimited article on Monday 12 February 2007, and the great comment by the Sceptic Optimist.

Around the World on Home Exchange

Or at least half-way!! Who would have thought it possible?

But when I think back, years ago, former GTI member Arthur Benbow, a widower, cycled the length of Australia visiting six states consecutively interspersed with home exchanges for his home in Wales. The last I heard of Arthur was that he was planning a charity cycle ride across America. Unfortunately I haven’t heard from Arthur for some years now, so I doubt that he is still on his travels.

Heather, who featured in my last blog item, achieved 9 consecutive exchanges, visiting Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland (2), England, France (2), Italy and Malta, and people were so amazed that she was able to arrange so many exchanges that she decided to write a ‘how to’ book..

Even a half-way round the world trip is not beyond Charles it seems, who sent us the following notes: “We planned half world trip, usually (ie Melbourne) based in one place, then travelling on exchange friendships, exchange hospitality, and rarely (Bali) low rental: we covered the entire east coast of oz in 04...up and back, sailed the barrier reef, etc...


Exchanges serve us best as a base for about one month...thereafter cheap travel. Not all our exchanges originate on the web site, sometimes from conversations with others when we travel.

Our quietest was in Devon, River Dart, and our most exhilarating was Venice...








HE14404 An apartment in Venice currently on the GTI Web-site

Second homes serve best for us: people should know they exchange home for home, (to be respected) not like for like. We get about six enquiries a month for our city centre (Granada) house...

We would, maybe, go back to Australia for a fifth time...but it’s a pity the exchange idea hasn’t caught on yet in South America! When we go off for several months, we would like our time to be about fifty /fifty on exchange bases, or cheap travel. I reply to every enquiry (many are polite "no" s!) as a matter of principle. We place a high value on both our homes, and have so far not rented them out, which seems to me to be a very different proposition. In future our exchanges may be more precisely directed towards waterside exchanges... for our boating activities.
I applaud the exchange principle,

Regards.........Charles

I feel obliged to add that it is probably almost essential to enlist the help of friends or family when proposing to undertake consecutive exchanges, so that there is always someone on hand to deal with the handover and any problems that may arise during a long absence, and also to ensure that housekeeping standards are being maintained, sometimes perhaps requiring professional cleaning services to be employed. Apart from these provisos, with time, initiative and energy on your side, the world’s your oyster!

Travel the Home Exchange Way

Former GTI Home Exchange member Heather (HE15595) recently wrote telling us of her 9 consecutive exchanges in 2005. She writes “I am currently completing a book about the experience from an Aussie's point of view combining a 'travel diary' and a 'how to' section. GTI features prominently as THE best exchange site!. Plus we had some brilliant experiences.”

“We live in a rural area of South Australia, probably the least visited state (many exchangees hadn't even heard of Adelaide) so it was difficult enticing people at first until I hit on a few ways to make our destination attractive. We don't all live in Sydney! There seems to be no books on the market (apart from one - poorly written in my honest opinion - American one) and I'm keen to address the shortfall. And most Aussies we met during our six months overseas, were extremely interested in the idea of home exchange, wanting to know how I organised so many and how to do it themselves. Eventually I said flippantly to one couple in Florence: "I'll write a book when we get home!". And I have.”

“My draft book is 'doing the rounds' of everyone I know for their comments before having it professionally edited. I have been to a couple of Workshops on 'travel writing' and 'getting your work published' so am fairly familiar with the process. Then - the hard part - it just has to appeal to a publisher! “

“If that proves impossible, it will be a good yarn to pass down to our grandchildren.”

“The working title is "Way to Stay"; I'll keep you informed of what's happening.”

So good luck, Heather, we hope a publisher soon snatches up your work for publication.


We currently have 238 listings in Australia, admittedly not so many of them in South Australia, so why not support Heather in putting South Australia firmly on the home exchange map?

Home Exchange Enquiries by Email

If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again!

A recent message from new member Sue in New Zealand HE18885, who was concerned at not receiving replies to her email enquiries, has prompted me to address the problem of non-response again. It is so disappointing for a new member who is all enthusiastic to join the home exchange community to find that she is not getting any replies, not even a kindly 'No thank you, we've already arranged our exchange', or 'We cannot venture so far this time'.
HE18885

If you don't have a valid email address in your member profile, then you won't get full use of your membership and you may be the one who is missing out! Check and double check your email address to make sure it is correct. Login to your member area on the GTI-Home-Exchange.com site, go to your own listing and send yourself a test email to make sure everything is working and that email is getting through your own SPAM filters and email protection. Sometimes we find that what members are using to keep out junk mail restricts legitimate email, or they have their level of security set too high.

Also, please check your SPAM and BULK email folders regularly, especially those who use EARTHLINK, HOTMAIL, YAHOO or BT YAHOO, just in case your ISPs spam filter is being over zealous. Some services are very tough on email, and there could be many times when a member has sent you an email which ended up in your bulk email folder but you won't have any idea unless you CHECK there regularly. As our contact enquiry form is sent via the server "mail2.ramesystravel.co.uk" check whether this is being flagged as a spam address and blocked.

And finally, if you suspect that your messages are not getting through using our email contact form, try sending your message via the member's email address hyperlink beside the member's name which uses your own email server to send the message and put their address in your "safe" contacts. Unfortunately this does mean that you will not have a record of the enquiries you have sent in the Recently contacted List in your Member Admin area.

Sue, who has been experiencing an email problem, now uses the alternative Email mode and just lists the people that she writes to in her safe contact list, just in case they had previously been scanned and deleted by hot mail. As she says,"At least I have had an acknowledgement now of my enquiry from another member."

So do be positive, we cannot allow spammers and the like to spoil what has been a wonderful contact facility for arranging home exchange holidays.

Celebrate Something Special on a Home Exchange

I have noticed over the years that our members often plan holidays to celebrate special events in their lives. One of the most popular celebrations when people really want to do something memorable seems to be their 40th wedding anniversaries. Way back in the early 90’s former member Wendy Painter wanted to visit Bali and New Zealand to celebrate her Ruby Wedding – but be warned, this home exchange trip had momentous consequences as Wendy and her whole family eventually emigrated to New Zealand.

Just recently, two new members have indicated that their 40th anniversaries have played a part in their future holiday plans. Brian (HE19196) and his wife bought their flat in Seaton, Devon, to celebrate their forthcoming 40th wedding anniversary. As they are new to home exchange they are planning to swap the flat (also said to be ideal for honeymooners) initially with other GTI Home Exchange members in the UK. But do I detect a note of dissention after 40 years of married bliss? Brian would prefer the south and west of England, whereas his wife would prefer Cumbria, Wales or Scotland. I am sure they will be really successful in their search for non-simultaneous home exchanges and receive so many offers that they will both be satisfied.

A world away, two other GTI members are planning their 40th anniversary celebration. Robyn (HE18719) and his wife live in Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia. The hump-back whales visit between July and November to frolic in the bay. Robyn says, “Locals say Hervey Bay is beautiful one day and perfect the next”.
A well travelled couple, they now wish to spend a few weeks in a Spanish village and experience the Spanish way of life and are already learning Spanish. “We will celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary in Spain”, says Robyn.

Oh! I do like to be beside the seaside!

Confronted by the hype of holiday advertising at every turn at this time of year, it's hard not to let your thoughts drift to how you might be lazing in the sun (or even under welcome shade) on a beach somewhere in a few months time. For many the organised package holiday might be the answer, but more adventurous types might want to consider a home exchange beside the sea. At GTI Home Exchange you can do a search to find seaside homes in many locations: and on a home exchange you can go further, see more, stay longer, and at a cost much less than for a conventional seaside package holiday, as you only pay for the travel to your destination. So why not take your holiday 'on the house' and give home exchange a go this year? Here are just a few examples of ocean side/seaside home exchanges available.

HE18710 House in Morlaix, Brittany, FRANCE
Located in one of the most beautiful and typical french areas, 10 mns from Morlaix, a britanny idendity town; 15 & 16s centuries architecture, bay (one of the most beautiful in France according to Michelin), castle, market every saturday morning ...
30 mns from islands : Batz, Callot and rocky coasts where you can still find nice sand beaches.

HE17520 House in Tauranga, Bay of Plenty, NEW ZEALAND
Sunridge is a private estate with marvellous views across the Bay of Plenty to downtown Tauranga, Mount Maunganui and the Pacific Ocean. Sunridge has its own thermal swimming pool and tennis court. This coming year I hope to stay preferably at a seaside resort in Denmark, where I could spend 4-5 weeks and so have a base where I could invite my sister, a girlfriend or my daughter to share some time with me.

HE17611 House in Fish Hoek, Western Cape, SOUTH AFRICA

Atractive detached double storey home on the mountainside of seaside village called Fish Hoek, nestled in a valley between two oceans. Ten minute walk to beach. Ten-minute drive to other (Atlantic ) ocean and unspoilt beach in horsey country (beach great for riding). Wonderful beach and mountain walks abound. 30-40mins to heart of Cape Town with its vibrant nightlife. Galleries, theatres, fine restaurants, clubs dot the entire area. Pleasant drive from Fish Hoek into the winelands. Car available.

HE15364 House in Kingston, Rhode Island, USA

Known as "The Ocean State," our area is famous for bird sanctuaries, surfing, sailing, kayaking, and all manner of sports related to the sea. There are a dozen beaches within a 10-15 minute drive of our house. 40 minutes to the west are the world famous Mystic Aquarium and Mystic Seaport, a recreated New England whaling village. Providence, the state capital, is half an hour's drive to the north, and has many fine restaurants, theaters (the Trinity Repertory Theater), and museums.

HE16549 Apartment in Alassio, Liguria, ITALY

We live in Alassio,a small town on the Riviera seaside, famous for its fine and soft sands, a 4 Km long beach which slope down gently towards the sea, suitable for children. Our town has shops,pubs,restaurants,play parks,friendly people,golf,horse riding, an ancient English Tennis club. Excellent public transport:1 hr train to Genoa, site of Europe's largest aquarium, boat trips to Portofino and Cinque Terre. 2 hrs to Nice airport and Cote d'Azur.

A Winter's Tale

Nothing to do with home exchange, and only loosely concerned with travel, but men always like us to poke fun at ourselves, so I thought this might raise a smile or two on a dismal wintry January day.

As a trucker stops for a red light, a young lady catches up. She jumps out of her car, runs up to his truck, and knocks on the door. The trucker lowers the window, and she says "Hi, my name is Heather and you are losing some of your load." The trucker ignores her and proceeds down the street.

When the truck stops for another red light, the girl catches up again. She jumps out of her car, runs up and knocks on the door. Again, the trucker lowers the window. As if they've never spoken, the young lady says brightly, "Hi my name is Heather, and you are losing some of your load!" Shaking his head, the trucker ignores her again and continues down the street.

At the third red light, the same thing happens again. All out of breath, the girl gets out of her car, runs up, knocks on the truck door. The trucker rolls down the window. Again she says "Hi, my name is Heather, and you are losing some of your load!"

When the light turns green the trucker revs up and races to the next light. When he stops this time, he hurriedly gets out of the truck, and runs back to the young lady. He knocks on her window, and after she lowers it, he says..."Hi, my name is Kevin, it's winter in PENNSYLVANIA and I'm driving the SALT TRUCK!"

Holiday Home Exchange - What exactly is it?

Apparently there are lots of people out there who have still not heard of holiday home exchange. If you are one of those people and would like to learn more you need look no further than an excellent introduction published on
The Travel Blog which takes an impartial independent non-hype look at the topic.

School Holiday Dates

With travel and accommodation costs of a holiday abroad constantly spiralling upwards, it is hardly surprising that more and more families are turning to home exchange as a way of enjoying a holiday abroad at minimum cost.

But as families with children usually wish to swap with other families, they sometimes find that differing school holiday dates can be a stumbling block. With the dates varying between countries, and even between regions within countries (eg France and Germany), it would be useful for everyone to have advance information of how their dates might be compatible.

Families contemplating a home swap with families in France might wish to consult the government issued 'calendrier scolaire' which shows the dates for all the holiday periods for each of the three regions into which the country is divided for the scholastic year.

The dates of public holidays in Germany vary considerably to those in the UK and Ireland - and there are more of them. By and large, they revolve around key events in the Christian calendar, but different Länder (federal states) have different holiday dates.

German school summer holidays are staggered so that while some children are off from the beginning of July to mid-August, others are free from the beginning of August to mid-September. The aim is to avoid over-congestion during the peak holiday season. Check the tables for who is off when in Germany.

If any members have information of easy reference points for school holiday dates in other countries, we would very much appreciate your posting the information on the weblog.

Year 2007

Here’s a quick note and best wishes for the New Year to all our GTI Home Exchange members.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

Meilleurs Voeux de Bonne Année

Prettige Kerstdagen en een Gellukig Nieuwjaar

Frohe Weihnachten und ein Gutes Neues Jahr

Buon Natale e Feliz Anno Nuovo

Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año Nuevo

It’s been some time since our last major upgrade on the site, but in 2007 we have many more new features planned which will enhance the experience on the site for members and visitors alike, and enable you to enjoy finding just the home exchange you are looking for.

Keeping your Post safe while on home exchange

Royal Mail Keepsafe Service

House swapping is one of tourism's booming trends, thanks in large part because of something it can offer which hotels or B&Bs will never be able to - it's free. And people taking part have a fairly good idea that their house will be looked after while they're away.

But occasionally for the more reluctant home exchangers, a comment that is sometimes expressed about embarking on a home exchange is: "I would be okay trusting someone to look after my property. But what about the more personal things...Such as mail? The "strangers" could open any mail that comes through the post box. . . !!"

Therefore I thought it might be useful to mention that in the UK at least you can pay Royal Mail to hold mail at the delivery office until your return home. This service is known as Keepsafe.

The service can be set up within five working days. You have to tell Royal Mail when you want the service to end and they will deliver to your address on that date. If you return early from your trip, you must send a written cancellation note. Your mail will then arrive with the next available delivery. You can use the Keepsafe service for up to two months. If you are moving business or home temporarily for a longer period, try the Royal Mail Redirections service .

Can any members in other countries please tell us what similar services are provided by the mail service in their country?

House swap for a cheap holiday

House swap for a cheap holiday

On MSNBC today, Dec. 28: TODAY host Matt Lauer talks with the show's consumer correspondent, Janice Lieberman, about how you can exchange your home for someone else's and save money. You can launch the video to view the show and listen to the advice and experiences of a variety of people who have embarked on a home exchange holiday from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16371926/.

Janice also gives tips on how to save money on your next holiday in her article published on the same page:
House swap for a cheap vacation

A quick glance at the home swapping Web-sites annual fees charged for membership reveals that Green Theme International Home Exchange is still one of the best deals available from a long established home exchange agency.

Who will descend your Home Exchange chimney this Christmas?

Father Christmas did not always have the appearance that he has today. In fact, as nobody has ever seen the real Father Christmas it is difficult to know what he is like. In each era and in every country children and adults alike have tried to guess his appearance and to give him a name: Father Christmas, Saint Nicolas, Santa Claus. The first traces of Father Christmas as we know him today originate from the United States about 173 years ago. This version of Father Christmas is in fact a synthesis borrowed from each tradition and belief in the world.

In Germany, Belgium, the German part of Switzerland, the Netherlands, Austria, north and east France, Greece and Slovakia, children have already received their Christmas presents on the 5th December, St Nicolas day. But that is not so very surprising when you know that for a long time Christmas was not celebrated on December 25th.



Jul Tomte - or Little Christmas elf - is the Swedish vision of Father Christmas. He is a small thin little man, half imp, half gnome. He has a long white beard, a little pointed red hat, a coat and wooden clogs.

In France, before being known as Père Noël, the mysterious person was also known as 'le bonhomme Noël'. He gave treats and presents to good children on Christmas Eve. He wore a large cloak with a hood, often covered with snow, and had a long white beard. He was always accompanied by 'Père Fouettard' who dealt out dizzying blows to the children who were not good enough.

In Savoy and the south-east regions of France there was also 'Le Père Chalande' who came down the chimney on Christmas day to leave presents for the children. He, too, had a long white beard and a pointed hat.

If you're away from home on a home exchange this Christmas and receive a visit from a mysterious figure who ressembles Father Christmas, but is not quite the same, do write and tell us about him.

GTI Home Exchange Winter Newsletter

The GTI Home Exchange Winter newsletter has been distributed to subscribers registered on our mailing list, and is now available for viewing on the web-site.

Topics covered in the issue include:

-- Homesitting - Help!

-- Positives and Negatives of Home Exchange

-- Is there anybody there said the emailer?

-- Dotting the 'i's and crossing the 't's on home swaps

-- Renters Beware

-- Feature Homes

If you would like to receive future copies by email, please subscribe to our the GTI News mailing list on our home page.

Merry Christmas to all.

The Holiday - romantic comedy on home exchange

After including an article on GTI Home Exchange weblog some time ago entitled "The Romantic Angle on Home Exchange", a new film, The Holiday, featuring Kate Winslet as Iris and Cameron Diaz as Amanda, is about to bring holiday and home exchange into the limelight. Without disclosing the plot, the romantic comedy revolves around a Christmas home swap arranged on the internet through a fictional home exchange agency, and reveals what happens when Iris and Amanda, each in need of a refreshing change of scene, find themselves transplanted to another person's world. A short preview of the action may be found at IMDb where you just need to click on the hyperlink View trailer, but you might prefer to wait until the UK release date for the film at a cinema in your area on 8th December.

Longer Term Swaps

Hello Kath,

Its quite exciting setting up an exchange…first time!

Brian and I are hoping to have an extended stay, longer than our potential swap partners, to London during the spring months. There is a possibility of these folk being home in their house in Marlow for a week or so between visiting Perth WA and spending the summer in their caravan in Cornwall. We are wondering if there is a facility in GTI for a house 'sit' for these 2(approx) weeks in between rather than trying to arrange another swap at suchlate notice. We are planning to take up residence back in their house while they are in Cornwall.

If this is not available thru GTI, do you have any recommendations of organizations we might use for such a short stay please.

Many thanks, Regards, Joy and Brian

Thank you for your email, and I am very pleased to hear that your plans for an extended home exchange to UK in the early part of 2007 are well advanced.

With reference to the short period when you will need to vacate the home for your exchange partners to return to it before departing again for their summer in Cornwall, I have searched the database and found the following request HE16462 for pet/housesitting in S W London for April 2007, but as you do not mention specific dates I do not know whether it matches the dates your require.

We do have the options 'housesitting offered' and 'housesitting wanted' within our system, but unfortunately the number of request for 'housesitting wanted' is limited. You could amend your own listing to say 'housesitting offered' as well as 'home exchange' to see if any members approach you requesting your services.

Other alternatives which come to mind as a last resort are to do an Advanced Search using the search criteria of 'Non Simultaneous' exchange for Type of Exchange, and ticking the check box for 'Second Home', which may bring up other potential possibilities; or to search the listings which offer the Rental option as an alternative, as the rents requested by home exchange members are often substantially lower than those wanted for properties rented on a full commercial basis, and there is, of course, the added advantage that no commissions are paid on top of the rental requested.

I do realise that you may have explored all these options yourselves already, so please forgive me if this is the case.

Although I do not know a lot about agencies which actually organise housesitting, I have come across the following:
www.housesitters.co.uk and to offer your services, the URL you require is
http://www.housesitters.co.uk/htm/interested.htm
and
http://www.homesitters.co.uk/
http://www.homesitters.co.uk/html/becoming_a_homesitter.html

and you may find it useful to look at their web-sites before contacting them to see if they can help. I am uncertain whether a specialised homesitting organisation will be able to help because they may be looking for people who can offer their services on a regular basis. I notice that there are a number of homesitting organisations in Australia. Have you by any chance done anything of this nature before because having references could be of great help in this situation?