HomeLink- NZ's Home Exchanging newsletter

IN THIS ISSUE

This weeks selection
from the hotlist

SAN ANTONIO
EL CAJON
ODEMIRA
FANO
RATHMULLEN
FREIBURG
MARSEILLE
AVIGNON
PERTH
BRIBIE ISLAND

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MORE FRENCH MEMBERS THAN EVER BEFORE

Recent months have witnessed a substantial increase in HomeLink members in France. With nearly 1800 members they have the second biggest HomeLink Membership.

Of course, France is traditionally one of the most popular destinations in Europe and I know a lot of you are trying to get exchanges there. There should be more opportunities than ever before , for you to enjoy a that dream holiday in France. Sadly there are still not many requests for New Zealand as a destination of choice but there are a lot for our bigger neighbour over to the West. Our suggestions are target these members and say "Why not try NZ as well"

To whet your appetite for all things cheese, wine, and baguettes there are also 766 members in France who are 'open to offers' for an exchange

OFF TO CHINA

John & I are taking a short break. As this is our 'off year' for Home Exchanging we are going to China for just two weeks. While there we are hoping to meet with the new Organiser for China who is a Beijing resident.

For the first time in our 10 years as HomeLink Organisers we will not be taking our laptop so we will be incommunicado from 18th May for 2 weeks.

Bill Jacob will be holding the fort for the day to day business and am sure will do his best to answer any questions. He is monitoring our emails so if there is anything really urgent please use our usual contact email.

SAD LOSS FOR HOMELINK

We were so sad to hear of the untimely death of Ton de Ruiter who with his sister Inga has been running HomeLink Netherlands for some years. The de Ruiters are a close knit and well respected HomeLink Family. HomeLink Netherlands was started by Inga & Ton's father Renger many years ago.

LOST & FOUND IN L'AQUILA

We received an email from a distraught Annalisa Pujatti, the Italian Organiser. She has a member in L'Aquila, the town devastated by the recent earthquake. As she had not been able to contact her member for a lengthy period she began to assume the worst.

Just the other day we received a joyous email saying that all was well. Her member was staying in her other home some distance away. I believe the home in L'Aquila is far from being an exchange home for a while if ever so I hope none of you have made arrangements with this lady.

John & I had the pleasure of visiting L'Aquila last year while we were staying in a nearby town . We were intrugued with the fact that this remote small town high in the hills above Rome has a special bond with NZ. It is regarded as the Rugby capital of Italy and we were quite suprised to see All Black jerseys on sale and kids in the street wearing them. I believe several New Zealanders have had coaching contracts there.

It was so sad to see an ancient town like that disappear and with such a loss of life.

FIRST WORLD CUP REQUEST

Although we have not yet started our register for the rugby World cup we have had our first request for accomodation from an Irish family who live on the coast in Count Clare. This will be a great opportunity for those of you living in the venues where matches are to be held. I will be making sure that the HomeLink Organisers in the Rugby playing nations are well primed for this occasion. Have a look at IEW110013