My homeexchanger of the year is Tracey Samios, from Melbourne. We first met 15 or 16 years ago, when we were both novices on the home exchange journey. Since then, we have seen Tracey and her husband Ray a number of times - they have either come to U.K. or we have gone to Australia. What started as a home exchange has turned into a solid friendship. Tracey and Ray even came to join us for my 60th birthday party in Devon this year, then joined us in France at our house there - they wanted to see the improvements we’d made since they first visited all those years ago with their three girls. We even took my Dad before he died to stay with them in Melbourne and Ray had the genius idea of driving out at teatime to see whether any kangaroos were around. There were loads - you should have seen my Dad’s face! Tracey has been more active in her home exchange journey than I have, and I , with multiple exchanges under her belt. She has used many of her travels as inspiration for her flourishing career as an artist - and I have a couple of Tracey Samios’ on my wall! We hope to return to Australia as we move into retirement and have more time - and we will definitely be catching up with Tracey and Ray!
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Oh this was so lovely to read! HomeExchange friendships are just on another level 
I’m so glad you guys continuously made time for each other throughout the years despite the distance!