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Welcome to Krista's house
There’s only me at home these days. And my cat. I have been a homestay host since the 1970s! so I have met a lot of different nationalities and ages but prefer adults now I’m older. I have 1-2 Japanese guests who return regularly. It’s peaceful and conducive to work/study at my home. Occasionally I have my large family around for parties—usually in my long garden—then, and only then, it is noisy! I am a retired primary school teacher; I have been retired for nearly 10 years now. I volunteer one afternoon a week at a local charity where I am the tea lady. I am a gardener—I like to grow vegetables—when the slugs do not eat them all! I enjoy music from around the world. I like a clean tidy house; I am accepting and welcoming. My cat is timid but she is gentle; she will check you out but probably not let you touch her!
We live in East Barnet—5 minutes from transport and 5 minutes from local shops. It’s about 30-40 minutes travel time to central London (depending on where you want to go). My nearest OVERground train station is Oakleigh Park. The nearest Tube stations are a 20-minute walk away—either Totteridge and Whetstone Station or Cockfosters Station. But the local overground trains connect with the tube at Finsbury Park; you can be there in 10 minutes. I do not often go out with guests but I still know London well and can give recommendations and advice. I also do not give lessons but I will always help with a student’s homework and explain correct English; I will try to be tactful when I do this. I can recommend a teacher and a fairly local language school.
SORRY but FEMALE GUESTS ONLY (unless it’s a small boy-child accompanied by a mother.) I prefer short stay guests of one month or less now I am older.
There is only 1 shower, although I now have another toilet. Therefore only 1 or 2 guests. There is a double bed. A single can be put up also if needed. I am happy to have a parent and their older child. My bathroom is NOT suitable for a younger child.
Since I generally only have one guest, that won’t be a problem. Very occasionally, a Japanese guest might be there too; she uses my small room, but she is only there for 1-2 weeks and I will not have another Japanese guest-speaking guest while she is there.
I am retired, I am at home a lot. In good weather I might work in my garden. You may use my garden for relaxing! I do not go out a lot, except for short walks or cycle rides (my exercise). I often go to local shops and one afternoon a week I volunteer at a local place that runs services for the elderly. If you want to volunteer here, there are many local charity shops you can work in. My life is not exciting but it is peaceful - mostly. You will need to make your own visits and entertainment. I do not visit London’s attractions often anymore but I can advise about them and the transport links. I do occasionally go out with family members - sometimes to see my son’s band play in a local pub! Each summer there is a local weekend festival in June or July with local musicians and a fun fair, the local park is very nearby and a cinema is a short bus ride away. My local shops are just for essentials but there are some better local shopping centres a bus ride away. Enfield is best for shops but High Barnet has some lovely walks passing historic old homes and churches & going through woods and public greens (see the photo below with a white gate & white houses in it). And Central London, of course, has many stores and it is only 30 minutes away.
Je suis venue avec ma fille de 15 ans. Le séjour s'est très bien passé, nous avons beaucoup visité Londres, si bien que nous n'avons pas beaucoup été à la maison. Les échanges avec Krista ont été bien sympathiques. Pour aller au centre de Londres c'était facile, les transports sont pratiques.
Ce séjour fut un cauchemar!
From 270 € / week
+33 7 49 08 56 74