Penne M

Sydney, Australia

About our homestay

My name is Penne and I live in the northern suburbs of Sydney with my husband John. We have been hosting Homestay guests for several years and can provide references.

We have a large, roomy, comfortable house. There is a large verandah area and a pool .The guest room has a bed, a built in cupboard and a desk .We are both teachers. We have adult children who have all left home. Husband (John) involved in sport - basketball and rugby, and I love patchwork, quilting, embroidery and scrapbooking.

Breakfast and evening meal are included. We do not provide halal food.

We live in the northern suburbs of Sydney near Pennant Hills,Hornsby, rail and bus are close by. Our area is surrounded by bush and is great for bushwalking. It is about 40 minutes by train from the centre of Sydney. There are tennis courts and a squash court within 2 minutes drive or 10 minutes walk from our home. We have a pool which we use a lot during summer months.

Wireless internet available if you have a laptop, or use of computer if you don't. Foxtel is also available.

We are not a boarding house but a family home and we treat our guests as part of the family. We accept smokers but not in the house. Our fee is $280 (Australian) a week for one person or $425. for two people sharing a double bedroom.

We are on the train line to Macquarie University.

We are also a 10 minute bus ride to the large shopping /business area of Hornsby.

Testimonials:


Penne and John, Thank you for giving me such a wonderful stay at your home.I had been stayed here for nearly eight months since last November,and I had a wonderful time in this house.Your kindeness and passion made me feel like at home,the food were excellent.Before I came here, I was worried about everything because they were all new for me when I first came to sydney to study.I was not good at english so that I could not expain my thought.But you were so patient to listen to what I told about,teaching me english as well.Now,I am sure my english obviousimproved.My words can not mean all my gratitude.Thank you again Love Carys Chen(China) Penne and John, 谢谢你们给我一个美好的回忆在这个家。自我从去年十一月到至今，我在这个家住了八个月了。我过的非常开心。你们的友好和热情使我感觉回到家一样，食物非常好吃。在我还没到这里之前，我非常的害怕，因为对于我第一次到悉尼读书的人来说一切都是陌生的。我的英文不是很好所以不能够表达我所想的。但你们非常的耐心听我讲话，而且还教我英文。我相信我现在的英文有明显的进步。我所说的不能表达我所有的感激，再次谢谢你们 Love Carys Chen（China）

John and Penne,
My gratitude for you guys is huge. I arrived there at Christmas time, starving for a real Australian experience, with a poor English and many uncertainties about my life. What I got was a warm family, always with good friends around, delicious food and comfort. All the time there were options of things to do together: from going to Trivia’s games or trips around on the weekends to having great conversations during dinner. My friends were welcome for dinner, to know my Australian family, who does love knowing people. Besides, I always had privacy, whenever I needed that.
The result were 7 months living in there – instead of one, which was my initial intent - much better English skills (which allowed me to get a very good job here :), and one of my best friends in Australia. Even nowadays, that I’m not living with you anymore, I still feel at home whenever I come over – which fortunately happens quite often.
Love you guys!
XO,
Karen Todeschini (Brasil)

Hi Penne and John,

Just a short note to say thank for a wonderful stay at your home for the past 4 months. I felt at home immediately, and you and John were wonderful hosts. The food was always excellent, with plenty of good wine and conversation. My room was very comfortable and I loved the interaction with the rest of your family including your pets. I felt like it was my own home too! It was so convenient and central to the bus, railway, work and shopping centres and in a most beautiful suburb near the bush. Thank you for the good advice and knowledge of where to go and what to see in Sydney. I will remember my time with you with fond nostalgia and will definitely be back when I come to Sydney again.

Love Linda Pape
Bryanston, South Africa

Dear Penne and John

I just want to thank you for a wonderful stay at your home. I was lucky to have the opportunity to stay with you for my short holiday in Sydney. I had a exiting time in Sydney also because of your friendly hospitality. I felt like to be a familiy member and you both were wonderful hosts. I had a lot of fun with you, the food was always execellent and my room was cosy and comfortable. Thank you also for the good advice and support about where to go and what to see in and around Sydney. I will always remember my time with you and hope to see you again. I would definitely come back to stay with you when I am travelling to Sydney again.

Love
Esther Lehmann (Swiss)

Member since Jan 2006

Testimonial