I'm a hybrid of personalities. Sometimes, a listener, sometimes a talker. Sometimes eager to make friends, other times seeking the solitude of the mountains. Always relaxed, easy-going & open-minded (& house trained!)

Most commonly found with fiance and best pal, Carl, by my side. We travel and live constantly being mindful of our impact on the world.

We usually travel with a tent and all the camping gear needed to be self-reliant.

Half of the last 7 years have been spent in other countries, either travelling or living. For the next few months I'll be in Manchester city centre. I grew up 20 minutes from the city, but I'm now thrilled to see it from a different perspective. Living here is a chance for me to discover my own country in a way that I have discovered other countries.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Surfing: I'm not on couchsurfing to find a free bed for a night (although this is obviously always welcome), but as a way to fast track into a different culture.

I'm close with my family but a long way from home, so a little bit of homely/family life is a bonus.

Hosting: I've not used CS very much so far, but I have spent a lot of time in strangers houses, so I know how it feels to be taken into somebodies home, taken under their wing, and treated like family. I would like to pay forward some of the hospitality I've experienced, and meet interesting people in the process!

Interests

Whenever I'm in a new place I love people watching from little cafes (preferably outside in the sunshine), and hopping on public transport to be among local people, going about their day to day lives

This year I discovered how much I love multi-day hiking trips and camping (mainly because of the insight it gives you into a simplified way of life before McDonalds and skyscrapers).

Walking through knee deep mud makes me simile. At every possible, chance Carl and I head for the hills.

• books
• dining
• cooking
• vegetarian
• vegan
• yoga
• meditation
• hiking
• camping
• sociology
• sustainability
• alternative living

Music, Movies, and Books

Can take enjoyment out of most genres of music, especially Indie & Acoustic sounds. (Elbow, Buena Vista Social Club, Benjamin Clementine, Matt Corby)

Books: I'm very into non-fiction; books about travelling to far away lands, or different cultures, or based around sociology or philosophy. (On The Road, Tracks, A Philosophy of Walking)

Movies: The Intouchables, Life Is Beautiful, The Sea Inside

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Hiked the length of New Zealand from the bottom to the top, through mountains, beaches, forests, along roads and even past an active volcano! It took 193 days, and we raised 16,000 NZD for a charity (Himalayan Trust) to rebuild earthquake damaged schools in Nepal.

Teach, Learn, Share

A larger percentage of my spare time is spent and trying different vegan dishes. I make a lot of hummous, babaganoush, rice milk, coconut milk, indian curries, spicy stews and soups and would love to swap favourite recipes and techniques

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Cambodia, Canada, Croatia, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, United States, Viet Nam, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom