THE OLD MANOR HOUSE

SANTA MONICA 1994

Our second exchange to Santa Monica was arranged straight after our San Rafael trip.  Being new to Home exchanging we couldn't resist the chance to go again even though it was later the same year.  Little did we know at the time that it would lead to many, many future vacations.

The great thing about this exchange is that we became very close friends with  our exchanger's parents , Peter & Lori.  We have since visited them a couple of times and they have been here also.  They are the warmest and kindest people on the planet.  Thanks to Sandy & Gail for making this exchange possible.

  This is Peter & Lori taken in 2001 when we were last in LA

The next three pictures below are a little out of context.  They were taken when Peter & Lori came to us in August 1997 and on 12th August we took them on a day trip to France/Belgium, via the Channel Tunnel, as we'd promised this some time before.  The main destination was the most impressive Ypres, Belgium home of the Menin Gate.  Peter was born in England and his parents emigrated to USA when he was a boy.  He had an uncle who fought in the First World War and, in common with 56,000 other soldiers who had no known grave, his name was recorded somewhere on the massive monument's walls.  We found the name as you can see below:

   Peter & Lori at Menin Gate, beneath a section of names

  Ypres' Square and the wonderful Cloth Hall, rebuilt 1920-1962.

   G.A. Booth

Now back to the main pictures:

  Fox family with whom we exchanged.  This taken in our garden as we had an overlap at this end for a couple of days and the children (and adults!) enjoyed hide and seek.  We often overlap here as it seems to work better.

  Front of house.  They have since moved to Sunset Blvd. (see below)

  Back view with lap pool

  We were very fortunate being allowed guest privileges at their beach club at Bel-Aire.  Peter and Lori also allowed us the use of their Cabana.

  Girls on Santa Monica pier

  The bustling Venice Beach on a Sunday

  A visit to Rodeo drive.  Who'd have thought that within twelve months we'd be exchanging with a family five minutes walk from where this picture was taken?

  We took a drive to Tijuana Mexico.  I thought it would be like San Diego with a hint of Spanish - could not have been more wrong. Well worth going to.

Fox family's new house on Sunset Blvd. visited in 2001 and everyone a bit older!

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  L to R= Theresa, Lori, Peter, Tessa, Emily, Abi, Gail, Audrey