August 2020 blog entry: "It was good while it lasted"

Hello fellow sufferers, hope you are all still coping.

This is more an announcement than a blog entry, and really the title says it all.

My journey started when Nic, my youngest son, was visiting from the UK with my future daughter in law Katherine. Whilst having a chat and a couple of beers, my son asked me if I had ever thought of letting the room they were staying in on Airbnb? At that time, I didn’t even know what Airbnb was! Once their visit was over I decided to look into it, and as it appeared, it could be quite lucrative. It would serve two purposes, I needed to earn some extra cash, plus I would have company and feel less alone, so I took the plunge.

After setting it all up and going live, I found that within days I was getting bookings, in fact I had bookings for a couple of months ahead. It continued and went from strength to strength. I met people from all over the World and made some great friends who I am still in touch with. I eventually gained “Superhost” status and had over 100, 5 star reviews. So a couple of years later, I had earned enough to modernise and improve my flat, I had enough extra cash so as not to worry about the occasional meal out, all was great. The only downside I suppose was the loss of privacy, but what did I need privacy for? I lived alone and my days of entertaining were over, so a small price to pay.

January 2020, I had bookings until the end of August, and even one in October then it happened!! Covid happened!! My March bookings started to cancel one by one and so it has gone from there. I still had bookings but decided that I would cancel them. I couldn’t/can’t take the risk with all my ailments, I am too vulnerable and health comes before money in my book.

So now, 6/8 months later I have to admit, I am loving my new found freedom. I have realised how valuable privacy is. Don’t get me wrong, I am missing the people and the money to be honest, but I’ve had enough. I was finding it increasingly difficult with my C.O.P.D.  to clean the whole flat in two hours between guests, yes I still have to clean, but in my own time.
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So there you have it. Any ideas how I can earn a few extra euros?
Until next time
Peace xxx