In some ways I feel like a newly converted person must feel. That is: excited, wanting to share my story to anyone who will listen and generally annoying everyone around me.
No I haven't converted my religious beliefs. my mother would kill me or die, pick one
Let me explain my excitement.
For various reasons which I can't be too specific about yet, we must travel to the East at a time when a blessed child will be born. No not Jesus. And definitely not mine ;) And being a wise (wo)man I started wondering about how we were going to get our camels children there in an economical fashion.
Hotels at Christmas and New Year are insanely expensive. Actually they are always expensive but infinitely more affordable when there is only one or two of you.
In addition, can I wax lyrical about the joys of restaurant dining with toddlers in tow? It's simply marvellous, you must try it some time!
It involves lots of gritted teeth, pained smiles and hissing "Will you sit down!" for the umpteenth time whilst fellow diners look at you wishing you would simply disappear.
Whilst I like eating out as much as the first person, having to do so every day is actually exhausting. And in room dining loses its glamour after a while.
So I started thinking laterally.
And I had a BRAINWAVE.
So now we are exploring a house swap instead.
Seriously, how genius is that?
I love the idea.
I was further inspired by the fact that another family I adore is going to Switzerland for a six week house exchange over Christmas.
I saw it as a sign.
My angel Gabriel as it were.
Firstly, it will save us a bomb. Yes I look at the bottom line. I'm okay with you judging me. I love an expensive hotel as much as the next girl but I prefer to enjoy it with my husband than with my delightful offspring in tow.
Secondly, it means we can hopefully find somewhere near our family and friends there.
Thirdly, we are very houseproud and judging from my research so too are other house swappers so the risk is low.
Fourthly we'd rather spend money on wonderful, memorable excursions with the offspring, than on a buffet breakfast that they will only pick at.
And finally, we've decided, if this works, then we are going to travel more widely after this.
So we've put ourselves out there (in house exchange terms) I spent hours describing our house in lyrical terms. Seriously, poets will weep when they read it. So we'll see what happens.
I'll keep you posted.
And right now, I am going to bask in the fact that my house looks AMAZING. (We had to make a good impression in our photos)
Excuse me.
ETA There are many sites devoted to houseswapping and we registered with two. One focuses on local exchanges an one is an international one.