Home Base Holidays :: Home Swappers Newsletter: Issue 1

This is the first Home Swappers Newsletter, published to provide information
of interest to Home Base Holidays current and recent home exchange members,
enquirers and all who have asked to be included on our mailing list. If you
do not want to receive further Newsletters please send us a message with
'Remove from mailing list' in the subject line.
mailto:homebase@cableinet.co.uk

We plan to keep the frequency of publication to around six weeks so that
readers don't feel 'bombarded' with too much information. The purpose of
the Newsletter is not only to give updates on the Home Base Holidays home
exchange service but also to encourage your participation. We welcome
short articles about your exchange experiences, tips for those new to the
idea of home exchange holidays, any questions you may have plus suggestions
for other travel related websites or travel bargains you find which could
be of interest to readers of Home Swappers. Members' contributions will
include links to current exchange listings to encourage readers to consider
the particular exchanges on offer. mailto:homebase@cableinet.co.uk

Topics Covered:
1. November 1999 Directory Deadline
2. Trading Places
3. Full Listings for Visitors
4. Member Exchange Experiences
5. October Competition
6. Password Problems
7. Information Sheets
8. Subscriptions

November Directory Deadline - 14 October

14 October is the very final date we can accept new member and renewal
listings for inclusion in the November 1999 directory. This is the first
of three print directories for the 2000 season and is in circulation to
members joining throughout the season. The number of members with Internet
access is increasing rapidly but there are still many members worldwide
who cannot view listings on the website and thus the print directories
are an important part of our service. All listings are added to the website
as members join and also published in the next available print directory.

Listings arriving after 14 October will be added to the website on receipt
and published in the March 2000 directory. New members can join on-line
or send us a message with your name and mailing address if you would like
a brochure and membership form.

Trading Places - Oxfam's international home exchange holiday scheme

We are delighted to announce that Home Base Holidays is operating the new
Trading Places scheme for Oxfam staff, volunteers and supporters. All
Trading Places exchange listings will be available to Home Base Holidays
members and members of agencies belonging to the International Home
Exchange Association (IHEA), both on our website and in print directories.
Trading Places members will be identified by the word 'OXFAM' under
Occupations/Interests in the listings.

As Oxfam is a well know international charity with its head office in
Oxford, England, we know that the addition of Trading Places listings will
increase the exchange possibilities for all Home Base Holidays members.

Full Listings and Photos

As well as searching by city, state and country to see a complete list of
all relevant exchange offers, visitors may now click on any of the locations
in the short descriptions given to view the full listing (and photo if
available). Visitors will not have access to member names or contact details
before joining; however, being able to view full listings enables those
visiting the website to see the exchange offers currently available in any
countries they are particularly interested in before deciding to join.

http://www.homebase-hols.com/member.html

Member Exchange Experiences

Long-time Home Base Holidays members, Roger and Jo Piercey and family,
have exchanged their home in a small village in Berkshire, England for various
locations in Jo's native USA. Jo also hosted a phone-in programme on home
exchange holidays for her local community radio station this summer. The
following is her report on the family's very first exchange:

My husband and I stumbled across exchanging by accident. I had read an
article in The Times and the time came when an exchange was feasible (i.e.
this 100 year old pile of bricks and mortar was finally renovated!).

Our first exchange was with a couple in San Diego, California. The exchange
was flawless and we hit it off with the retired couple. They had grandchildren
so there were plenty of toys for our 18 month old son to enjoy. The house
was also fairly childproof and very comfortable with a spectacular panoramic
view of the Pacific Ocean from one whole side of the house!

It is a funny phenomenon when one exchanges. We work hard collating local
information on interesting things to see and then sit back and think, 'Why
aren't WE doing all this stuff?' And we have felt this way about our exchangee.
'Why would they want to go anywhere with a view like this?'

Exchanging does mean that one must not only get organised to go on holiday,
but must also leave the house in tip-top shape. I suddenly saw cobwebs where
I had never bothered to look before, furiously turned out cupboards that were
once acceptable - and I swear a fungus started to grow overnight in the
corner of the showerstall! I have never worked so hard at housework and never
needed a holiday so badly! Needless to say, for our second exchange, I hired
The Maids....

More reports from Jo on the Piercey family exchange experiences will follow
in later Newsletters. Members can check out their summer 2000 exchange offer
directly (US Eastern Seaboard preferred destination):

http://www.homebase-hols.com/members/listing/IH1704

October Prize Draw

All on the Home Base Holidays mailing list receiving this Newsletter will
be entered in the free prize draws held monthly. The winner of the draw
which will take place on 28 October will receive a copy of the book,
'USA by Rail'. The book is a comprehensive guide to rail travel both in
the USA and Canada. Our October prize draw winner - and everyone who
buys a copy of 'USA by Rail' by 31 December 1999 - can also enter a
draw to win Amtrak rail passes worth Cdn $1,838. Check out the 'USA by
Rail' website for further details:

http://website.lineone.net/~johnpitt/

Member Password Problems

Most members have no problems setting and using their passwords to view
listings on the website whenever they want. Apart from forgetting the
password set, the most common cause of access problems is simply entering
a password in a slightly different way to how it was set. The password
is case sensitive and must be entered exactly as you set it. Also, if
you make a mistake when entering a username or password, exit the website
and re-enter before trying again (otherwise the system thinks you are
guessing and, as a security measure to prevent unauthorised use of the
site, will not allow access). Hope this helps!

Member Information Sheets

Although members will get a good idea of your exchange offer from your
descriptive website/directory listing, it really helps to persuade members
to consider your exchange offer if you take the initiative rather than
wait to be contacted. Elaborate on your exchange offer by compiling
a page or two of information on your home and area to send out by mail,
e-mail or fax to other members.

Very recent members, Bonnie and George Board, sent us the information sheet
they have compiled to send to potential exchange partners in Ireland and
Scotland. Bonnie and George have kindly let us reproduce their information
sheet as a good comprehensive example:

We are Bonnie and George Board, both early retirees and "empty nesters". Our
home is in the town of Oakville, on Lake Ontario, 25 miles west of the city
of Toronto. Oakville has a small town feeling with wonderful facilities for
all tastes. There are two harbours, one close to the downtown area, which
consists of small upscale stores, restaurants, pubs, a theatre and beautiful
walks through parks and along the waterfront. A great people watching area.
Our home is a couple of miles to the west of downtown, and a 5 minute walk to
the second harbour known as Bronte harbour. The harbour has boutique stores,
restaurants, including a creperie, a seafood restaurant and many others,
including a couple of good pubs. Canadian $20-25 or say 10 pounds sterling
should get you dinner at most restaurants, excluding wine. Waterfront trails
are also in abundance as well as fishing from the pier.

Other parts of Oakville are rich in parks and public gardens and there is a
Provincial park ideal for hiking and picnics about 2 miles to the north of
us. There are two shopping malls, each with a large full service supermarket
within 1 mile. Adequate parking is available in all areas of town. If golf is
to your taste you will love Oakville. There is an abundance of beautiful
public golf courses, at reasonable prices, usually around Can $40 or 17
pounds sterling, all within easy driving distance. Glen Abbey, home of the
Canadian Open, is just 3 miles up the road.

We are told by visitors from the UK that prices here are considerably lower
than in the UK. Many items may be priced in dollars what they cost in pounds
at home. If shopping is "your bag" you might like to know that you can
reclaim the sales tax on goods that you buy here. What a bargain!

We are conveniently situated to Toronto. Commuter trains run regularly from
Oakville in 35 minutes. Return fare is $9 or under 4 pounds. Alternatively
you can drive it in 25 minutes. Toronto has great theatre, second only to New
York in North America, fine restaurants, major league sports teams, museums,
art galleries, markets, the Skydome and CN tower. It is a multicultural city
with extensive Greek, Chinese and Italian areas. All that and the city is
CLEAN AND SAFE! Toronto island is just a ferry ride away and has parkland,
miles of trails, restaurants, play areas and a great view of the city.

Niagara Falls and bridges to the USA area an hour away by car. Winery tours,
fruit farms and the Niagara parkway along the Niagara river are all there to
enjoy. Historic Niagara-on-the-lake has the Shaw Theatre festival, Old Fort
George and boasts the oldest golf course in North America. From here its easy
access to New York state Finger Lakes area. The price of a typical motel
room, say a Comfort Inn, clean and comfortable will vary considerably
depending on location. A good average in the USA is probably in the US$60-75
range or 35-45 pounds. We have often found rates as low as US$40. There are
an abundance of motels in most locations so competition is high. Canadian
rates are a little higher dollarwise but probably similar in pounds sterling.

Stratford Theatre festival is 2 hours by car, as is Northern Ontario cottage
country. You've no doubt heard about the spectacular fall colours, when the
leaves turn to every shade of red, orange, gold and green. Something that you
have to see to believe. They can be seen all over Ontario. Yes even on the
outskirts of Oakville.

Our home is a 4 bedroom detached 4 level side split. It is a cosy family home
where we have raised our family for the past 25 years. It has central air
conditioning and forced air gas heating. The master bedroom has a queen size
bed with coloured remote TV. The second bedroom is antique furnished with a
double bed. The third bedroom has a single bed. A modern full bathroom, with
double wash basins is adjacent to these three bedrooms. The fourth bedroom
is used as an office which we would prefer to use to store our personal
effects and keep locked. The living room overlooks the front garden and is
brightly furnished with a stereo including CD player. The separate dining
room has sliding french doors that open onto a deck overlooking the back
garden. The family room is cosily furnished with a gas fireplace, TV, VCR and
speakers from the living room stereo. A second 2 piece washroom is adjacent
to the family room. Our modern, bright eat-in kitchen overlooks the back
garden through a panoramic window. It includes lots of counter space, a
stove, large refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, microwave oven, and is fully
furnished with dishes, glassware, cutlery, utensils etc. It also has ceiling
speakers from the living room stereo. Oh yes, if you like to barbeque
there's a gas barbeque on the deck. You can buy a good sized (1 pound) T-bone
steak for about Can $5, thats about 2 pounds. The basement is finished with a
laundry room (full size washer and dryer), a second large refrigerator and
separate freezer. The 1½ car garage has a garage door opener. The gardens
are fully treed, front and back, with a large English perennial garden if you
just want to laze under the apple tree with a good book.

We have two adult daughters, both living in the area. They will be pleased to
offer you assistance and advice to ensure that you get full enjoyment from
our home. Our daughter works for the local Chamber of Commerce. She would
be happy to help you with becoming familiar with the area's facilities and
provide brochures and maps.

We are extremely interested in car exchange. Our car is a 1998 Toyota
Camry. It is in virtually new condition. It will comfortably accommodate 5
adults and is "loaded". That includes automatic transmission, air
conditioning, all power, CD player etc. Its great on gas, but gas is
relatively inexpensive, around Can 0.60c a litre or 25p sterling....

Bonnie and George would like to arrange their first exchange in summer/
early fall 2000 to Ireland or Scotland. Members can check out their offer
and photo directly:

http://www.homebase-hols.com/members/listing/IH4582

Subscription Information

Please invite your friends and colleagues to subscribe by forwarding
this Newsletter to them.

To subscribe, send us a message with your name and e-mail address and
'Add to mailing list' in the subject line.

To unsubscribe, send a message with your name and e-mail address and
'Remove from mailing list' in the subject line.

mailto:homebase@cableinet.co.uk

Copyright © 1999 Home Base Holidays

HOME BASE HOLIDAYS, 7 Park Avenue, London N13 5PG, England
tel: +44(0)20 8886 8752 fax: +44(0)20 8482 4258
mailto:homeexchange@btinternet.com
http://www.homebase-hols.com
Home Exchange - rent-free holidays worldwide