Michelle, Mark and Marcus live in an atmospheric late 19th. century former water board house enjoying the best of rural and urban features. It is just a few minutes walk away from buses, (including the 757 airport bus approximately 30 minutes travelling time in light traffic,) and a few minutes walk from Kirkstal Forge railway station. There is car parking across the road. Mature woods are to be found surrounding the rear of this unique structure and if you venture further through the trees you will arrive at a series of paths, bridleways and even a (working) canal on which you could walk to Leeds city (or further out to the countryside.) The house has been tastefully modernised with all the comforts you could possibly need. Michelle and Mark were charming, helpful, hospitable, obliging and had lots of suggestions for activities in the area. And if you ask their son Marcus, he may give you a drum solo..

Location, location location. Perfect for quick access to central Leeds on no. 1 bus. Comfortable bed, quiet and cosy room and great shower. Linda lets me get my own continental breakfast and still has to remind me to put the mug under the high-tech-kettle before pressing the on button. She is a great and warm host. Perfect.

The host cancelled the booking 6 days before the arrival date.

The first message I received from Sandra told me everything.."Just come when you like, everything will be ready for you." When I got to the property I was met at the door by Sandra and a very small, affectionate and bouncy white poodle. It is not often enough a homestay has a pet. in this case there are three and when I went indoors I met a (much) bigger dog and a cat. The bed is the most comfortable bunk I have ever slept in and one day I awoke thinking it was about 11.00 a.m. Turned out it was 1.30 p.m. I was so relaxed and comfortable. Both Sandra and Fezz (spelling) are interesting and easy going people to be around. We chatted about everything from architecture to conservation to meditation and reiki healing. The property is just a few minutes from buses (lots of them) to shops, the pub on the corner and you can see the sea from the gate. Perfect for walkers, you can follow the line of the coast to New Brighton or south towards the ferries and tunnel. Or walk the other way and you are in Central Park in minutes. If (either of) the dogs warm enough to you, they may even allow you to accompany them on their daily walks of either the sea or park...

Eileen was communicative and hospitable. Her home is a bit off the beaten track but she makes this clear in her directions. If you like period (1930s) homes suitably and sensitively modernised while retaining as many original features as possible, you'll like this one. It's incredibly private and peaceful, most of the time you hear just birdsong and the very occasional passing car leading you to believe you are in the depths of the countryside. The real "piece de resistance" or should that be "pet de resistance" is the charismatic, attentive and most affectionate (King) Arthur, a small but larger than life black poodle who will make a fuss of you whether you are leaving or arriving.

I flew in just in time for the tube strike. I swear transport for London know just when I'm arriving...Alan had sent me many emails in preparation for my journey, so I'm guessing either he knew about the strike before even T.F L. did or he thought I must be an Irishman who'd never been out of Ireland, had only travelled in a pony and cart and came up the Thames in a dug-out. Or all of the above. As someone who's lived in London, I'm only too well aware of the "wall of coldness" that pervades the city that puts the "lon" into lonely. For this reason alone, I'd rather something like "Homestay" where you can really get a home from home experience. I lost count of the missed calls and texts Alan sent to ensure I arrived safely from Heathrow to Walthamstow and beyond. Thanks to the strike this journey took 2.5 hours. He couldn't have made crossing the Sahara in a Trabant easier with his text/directions: get on this bus, make sure you get off at that stop, turn this way, not far now mate, almost there Paul...Alan was the charming man I expected to find at the door, which was thoughtfully and clearly marked with the street name as well as the number seeing as the borough of Waltham Forest couldn't seem to manage it. I was immediately offered sweet tea and biscuits (despite my warning him ahead of time that I was a recovering "sugar junkie") after handing over my hard earned.' Alan didn't ask for any form of I.d. presumably relieved enough that I was fluent in my Anglo-Irish language. The bed was very comfortable, the room was cosy and I was so relaxed I could hardly sleep! There are notices everywhere advising on not eating other people's food, where drinks are etc and in the bathroom more advisory notices prevail. Alan has such a range of nationalities to stay he will soon have to offer some kind of "touch button/chose language" option system. If you're the sort of person who doesn't like the Underground (strikes notwithstanding,) his place is easily reached by the Overground (Wood st.) And you can "whisk" from there to say, Brondesbury/ north west London in just under one hour. Thanks, Alan. Really enjoyed meeting you!

Marie and Patrick are very accommodating people. Their home is warm, comfortable and easily accessible to bus stops for underground stations. If you get Patrick started on his larger than life stories, of which he has enough to fill a book, you may find you've left yourself short of time for sight-seeing. Colourful and vibrant people.

Shaleskia offered to meet me near Finsbury Park station to make it easier for me to find her place. It is already easy to find an a (brisk) walk will get you there in about 5 minutes. Just make sure you take the Stroud Green road exit from F.P. station. you get a continental breakfast and Shaleskia insists you help yourself to the big piles of fresh fruit in the kitchen. The accommodation is cosy and convenient. Shaleskia is very friendly and helpful.

Linda is a very warm, accommodating person with a wry sense of humour. Her place is comfortable, clean, cosy, and modern and you feel at home almost immediately. Linda's home is just a few minutes walk from a frequent and well served First (1) line which whisks you into Leeds city centre in about 12 minutes. Just make sure she gives you explicit directions to find her home. The street is not marked.

Friendly enough host but the accommodation was very rough. I stayed in a shed like building down the garden. Room was warm and nice bed but they need to completely rethink their attitude to the hospitality business.