I know the idea of a house swap conjures up images of Kate Winslett and Cameron Diaz swapping continents, houses and falling in love. So… I probably should disabuse you of that perception before we go any further.

You see I’m in the midst of a house swap. But it’s one that does not involve complex arrangements – other than diagrams advising how to use the TiVo or notes on hash brown packets advising they’re gluten-free.

Rather I’ve swapped houses with my mother and travelled the 42km from my beachside apartment in Hervey Bay to her house in Maryborough. And she’s done the opposite. #obvs

We first talked about doing this ages ago. I spend A LOT of time in my apartment (as I partially work from home) and often find myself relieved to travel the half-hour to her place to mix things up a little. My seachange (and lifestyle change) means holidays and hotels are really out of the question for me nowadays – and that’s fine – but a change of scenery is sometimes a necessity.

The swap hasn’t really been possible before now as we have commitments: I work part-time and she does volunteer work in some form 3-4 days a week.

As we’re both commitment free this week it seemed like the perfect time. Plus… I hate my place the most during holidays – with noisy holiday-makers arriving and splashing about the pool* and excitedly taking in the ocean views.

I am conscious I chose to buy into a complex frequented by holidaymakers, but my tolerance for their frivolity wanes over the 6-8wk summer period.

The allure of my apartment by the ocean, with its sea-breezes and spectacular views is a no-brainer. But you may be wondering what it is I get from my mother’s small timber house in suburban Maryborough. Well… quite frankly it’s ‘home’. It was built over 50 years ago by my parents after they married and has changed little over that time. It doesn’t have ALL of the mod-cons but it’s still ‘home’.

My delightful mother also stocks up on my favourite foods so I don’t have to starve. (Or go shopping!)

On top of that I joined my parents up to a local video (DVD) library when I was here (helping out after my mother’s knee operation 5 or so years ago) and so it’s the only place I can now binge-watch DVDs.

Although I just bought myself seasons 1 & 2 of: The Newsroom, Continuum and Orphan Black,  there’s still a stack of TV shows I’d like to see, but have no desire to buy. Game of Thrones  is just one example.

So… here I am bunkered down at my mother’s for a few days. Hiding out and lying low from life in general.

At the same time I’m hoping my mother is having a nice break and enjoying her change of scenery. Unfortunately (well, fortunately for me) she likes ‘projects’ so at the end of her first day at my place she advised she’d already re-sorted my walk-in-wardrobe and was starting on my kitchen drawers. #Score! Oops, no… I mean, “Mum, don’t. Please stop.” *Fades to a whimper*

Meanwhile I’m contemplating the year ahead, almost upon us as it is. And of course I’m preparing for my reinsertion into normality (work, exercise etc) next week.

Would you partake in an unusual house swap?
Are you New Year Resolutioning? (Yes, I’ve created a verb!)

* #Inrelatednews If I hear one more child yelling Marco Polo, I may lose it completely!