CURRENT MISSION

To set-up a charity/co-operative: '3rd Age Hostelling and Housing' will help 'golden oldies' to stay fit and assist them in creating housing co-operatives, allowing them to continue to live in their homes whilst accommodating the next generation via Sparkle Housing Co-operative ('cos everybody needs a bit of sparkle in their life).

ABOUT ME

Started hitch-hiking/travelling late 60s and never really stopped.

Still upset that in 1972, owing to family wedding and impatient boyfriend, I had to return home, instead of carrying on through Turkey, via Kabul, to India.

I finally got to India but the Kabul I wanted to visit has pretty much disappeared.

Worked/lived in West Africa, Germany, Italy, Holland, U.S.A. and Oz.

Also worked aboard luxury cruise ships for a few years - hence all the islands I've visited. Usually a six month contract, followed by four months travel - home to Sunny Manchester for a couple of months and repeat.

Early 90s I opened a small backpackers hostel in Manchester and in the late 90s I studied a number of weird and wonderful therapies.

In 2005 I ran away to sea to get away from planners and bureaucracy. Took part in the Clipper 'Round the World Yacht Race 2005/06'. After approx. 28,000 miles I was 'fired' from the race - my blog: www.bulliedonboard.com describes this debacle.

I'm preparing to open 3rd Age Hostelling and Housing in North Wales. This hostel, aimed at walkers and cyclists, will also offer subsidised holistic therapies and dance classes.

Qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist/Sports Therapist.

Official Tour Guide for North East Wales: Trained to bemuse you with my blarney.

Now training to be pan-Wales Tour Guide.

PHILOSOPHY

Work a little - laugh a lot. I'm good at wingeing but not addicted. Want to know when the universe is going to stop lobbing missiles at me.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

"Beginner" status. Couch and tour guide.

I also host/help via www.helpx.net., so if I can't offer you a couch and you would like to do some work in return for your accommodation you can also contact me there to see if I have any availability.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Unofficial couch surfing late 60s/early 70s.

Interests

Reading, walking, talking, dancing. Plus talking about walking, dancing and reading! Loosely involved with FCUM Community Radio.

• dancing
• walking
• gardening
• yachting
• reading
• traveling
• blogging
• hiking
• surfing
• sailing
• sports
• tourism
• hitchhiking

Music, Movies, and Books

Useless on music. I know I'm well-read because I read a lot; pity I don't remember what I've read!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

1984 - as a professional gambler/card counter I was 'banned' from Far-Eastern casinos when I was losing!

1989 - Sailing out of Marquesa Islands, South Pacific: It was difficult to see the ocean waters because of the number of dolphins escorting us.

2006 - Sacked-at-sea from Round the World Yacht Race for being 'too dangerous to have on board'. It was a very small fire! www.bulliedonboard.com tells my version.

I hold a Diploma in 'Clinical & Analytical Hypnotherapy with Psychotherapy' that proclaims that I am "a responsible person"!!!

A couple of years ago I took part in the television programme 'Dinner Date'. Chaos as I tried to clear the kitchen of clutter and turf my paying guests (4 television props guys) upstairs whilst the t.v. company filmed my efforts. If you want to watch it will be on itv iplayer until the middle of June 2014(itv2 + 1 - I think!). My presentation wasn't brilliant but, in my defence, the date/film crew arrived nearly 2 hours late for dinner.

Teach, Learn, Share

I'm setting-up a walkers/cyclists hostel in Llanfairfechan, North Wales. Property is derelict and I need help in getting the project started. 3rd Age Hostelling/Holistic Health Hostels will offer subsidised holistic therapies through income raised from accommodation and cafe. Help needed in raising funds and obtaining charity/co-operative status for 3rd age hostelling and housing.

Need to apply for grant monies to fund refurbishment and get the show on the road.

Based in Manchester and Conwy, North Wales. Surfers are invited to extend their stay. Longer term accommodation provided in return for help with gardening, decorating, building, enthusiasm, support, fund raising, lottery applications, etc. etc. More details on helpx.

City/coast/countryside - we've got it all. Well we will have when we're finished!

Foundation Degree in Professional Tour Guiding: not sure whether my Degree will allow me to guide people up Everest!?

What I Can Share with Hosts

Stories, walking and talking.

Countries I’ve Visited

Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Aruba, Austria, Barbados, Belgium, Bermuda, Brazil, Bulgaria, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Fiji, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, India, Italy, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Saint Lucia, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Switzerland, Thailand, Ukraine, Venezuela, Virgin Islands, British

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Gabon, Germany, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States

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