BS: House swaps, accommodation requests etc.

Subject: BS: House swaps, accommodation requests etc.
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 14 May 18 - 12:58 PM

Hi all. We are a global club of like minded people. Would there be any mileage in a permathread for house swapping, house sitting, request for and offers of accommodation etc.

To me it would make sense to only have it available to certified mudcat members. We would obviously need to ensure we never advertised addresses or when we were away in public but we could use Mudcat as a central contact point.

Things like local attractions and nearby folk activities could be mentioned and we could swap private details by pm or email. I would be happy to moderate such a thread.

Whatcha think?

Subject: RE: BS: House swaps, accommodation requests etc.
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 14 May 18 - 01:00 PM

Not talking commercial here btw. Just friends helping out friends with costs covered it required.

Subject: RE: BS: House swaps, accommodation requests etc.
From: keberoxu
Date: 14 May 18 - 02:21 PM

Oooh,
there is an existing thread
in which the misadventures of someone
who got badly burned by house-sitters
are trending right now.

Subject: RE: BS: House swaps, accommodation requests etc.
From: Jack Campin
Date: 14 May 18 - 03:42 PM

I once tried to get someone to stay in our house (free) during the Edinburgh Festival to look after our cats. I exchanged several messages with a timewaster who finally decided the idea was too weird and could I recommend a hotel instead (losing us the chance of finding anyone else).

Somebody who couldn't see that it mattered how our cats were looked after wasn't somebody I'd want to let in the front door, anyway.

Subject: RE: BS: House swaps, accommodation requests etc.
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 15 May 18 - 12:39 AM

Not a swap, but I have a guest room and a number of Mudcatters have stopped for at least a night when passing through this part of the US. By invitation, of course, once I knew they'd be in the area.

Subject: RE: BS: House swaps, accommodation requests etc.
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 16 May 18 - 03:08 AM

Ah well. I guess not many agree it may be a good idea then.

I have tried :-)

If anyone wants a stay near the Yorkshire Dales, close to a few folky events, PM me.

Subject: RE: BS: House swaps, accommodation requests etc.
From: Jack Campin
Date: 16 May 18 - 03:21 AM

One place in the Dales I would be interested in is Bolton Castle - the Mediaeval Music in the Dales weekend in the autumn would be attractive but there's no accommodation within walking distance and no regular bus service.

Subject: RE: BS: House swaps, accommodation requests etc.
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 16 May 18 - 04:09 AM

Bolton Castle is about an hour by car from us I'm afraid, Jack, but depending on the timing I could be prepared to provide a taxi service :-) Have you tried Leyburn for accommodation? It is about 6 miles away so taxi should not be too bad. There is a bus but that stops running about 3pm Mon-Sat and does not run at all on a Sunday!

Subject: RE: BS: House swaps, accommodation requests etc.
From: punkfolkrocker
Date: 16 May 18 - 08:59 AM

is this the thread for organizing long term occupations and squats while the owners are away on holiday...?????

power to the people.. right on...!!!

Subject: RE: BS: House swaps, accommodation requests etc.
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 May 18 - 09:47 AM

I think so, but we're easily side-tracked.

Subject: RE: BS: House swaps, accommodation requests etc.
From: Charmion
Date: 16 May 18 - 09:47 AM

When passing through areas where Mudcatters live, I have enjoyed some very fine hospitality -- most notably from Micca in the east end of London, and from wysiwyg in an otherwise trackless (at least to us) part of Pennsylvania. The Mudcat community is somewhat more attenuated than it used to be, at least on the American side of the Herring Pond, but even 15 years ago it was best to build up a real relationship on line, followed up by meeting in person at a festival or similar event, before either offering or accepting hospitality.

Your mileage may vary. Just my two cents' (Canadian) worth.

Subject: RE: BS: House swaps, accommodation requests etc.
From: peteglasgow
Date: 16 May 18 - 10:48 AM

if anyone wants to say hello at ireby festival, celtic connections, shrewsbury folk festival, partick thistle fc or one or 2 other regular haunts then that's good. but though we have a lovely wee house on the edge of the lakes i prefer to keep it peaceful thanks - while we can be vindictive, abusive and pedantic on here - i don't need it in real life too.

Subject: RE: BS: House swaps, accommodation requests etc.
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 16 May 18 - 11:04 AM

I think you will find that the persona you see on here is often not the one you see in real life, Pete ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: House swaps, accommodation requests etc.
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 May 18 - 02:49 PM

Thanks, Charmion. Those were good old days!

I'm near Dayton now and we're always interested in company. The popup camper is especially nice digs with idotress, flushing portapotty, and has its own little yard if grass for your lawn chairs. We're right off the Little Miami bike trail. Soon we'll even have plumbing!

~Susan