Hello, my name is Bernard I am a 23 year old person born in England living in Australia, though I am not Australian and I have been away from England for so long it often feels like I am neither. So I may just say that I am originally Bernard, as that seems to make the most sense.

Other than that I have been thoroughly inducted into my host nation's drinking culture. I have worked in factories, many kitchens, written three unpublished books (unpublished works are my niche) and even been a caretaker of a rural hospital a thousand miles from anywhere.

I don't like using escalators because my legs still work fine and smartphones make me uneasy.

Also I don't proof read. Like, anything. At all. I hope my errors don't make you cringe.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am trying to end a very long stop over, on a adventure that began when my family and I left England. I have spent the last 16 years in Australia and as much as I truly and humbly adore the place, it is time I left and finished my parents mission of showing me what lies beyond the garden hedge.

Interests

Among other things I am a big fan of cameras, though I am not overly adept behind one I like to think that I make up for it with my enthusiasm. I like riding bicycles though I haven't really owned one in a long time.

Other than that I like reading, writing and drawing.

And long discussions that go nowhere and achieve nothing but somehow require ungodly levels of alcohol to sustain.

• writing
• books
• drinking
• reading
• drawing

Music, Movies, and Books

I enjoy literature, though I am rather unlearned I find an indomitable hunger to pursue the writings of Leo Tolstoy and Joseph Conrad. Though I also enjoy reading about waves of western subcultures and youth movements, politics (though more for understanding and foundation rather than any allegiance) and of course lots and lots of history.

I can't really say I have a particular taste in films or music, but I enjoy to be challenged, to hear and see something I have not seen before. As for music, I don't really like much of what is played on the radio where I live, traveling to the other end of the world to get away from it may be drastic, but I feel sometimes it is needed.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

It's hard to appreciate someone else's experiences through your own eyes (for myself at least, but do bear with me).

I caught an echidna with my bare hands (they are small very spiky anteaters, who dig holes, sleep under the wheels of cars and lay eggs). I consider this amazinf because of the difficulty involved and I had to put my still untouched first coffee down to catch and remove it. I remember, Billy Idol's 'White Wedding' was playing on the radio and I forever associate sharp egg laying mammals with the sharp riffs of Idol.

I also once climbed a mountain to watch a thunder storm/sunset combination roll over, whilst this was happening there was an enormous bushfire engulfing the plains that our ridgeward perch offered a view of and we were greeted to one of the most beautiful and violent scenes of natural wonder I have ever witnessed.

Teach, Learn, Share

I try to be savvy with words, as I need to for my selected though profitably dormant trade. It is in this way I suppose I can share with people.

Furthermore I do possess some form of artistic eye and if that is coupled with some form of flair than perhaps it qualifies for sharing?

I learned to drink from generations of functioning alcoholics and have many secrets to pass on to the unlearned and sober.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Same as above I suppose.

I guess I write you a poem to embroid and frame (I can't do the embroidery or framing).

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Brunei Darussalam, France, Singapore

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, England