CURRENT MISSION

To learn a new way of life-slow, gentle on Mother Nature and enjoyable.

ABOUT ME

I have been a CS member since 2007 but for the next little while I shall be using it together with my other half-Simon. We are leaving Scotland on bikes for a few months, to learn as much as we can about growing, building, sharing and enjoying. We will visit people who embrace the concept of slowing down in order to fully enjoy the value of nature, healthy food, friendship and frugality. Philosophies which have inspired us include permaculture, freeconomy, going off-grid and smallholding. We hope this trip will become the beginning of our own journey to a more sustainable, more relaxed and more meaningful existence. Exciting!!

PHILOSOPHY

Live in the moment but keep your eyes on the future. Know the value and not the cost.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I have enjoyed CS throughout Western Europe; I have also hosted on a number of occasions. I have always loved the initial concept of free exchange, fraternity and mixing of cultures.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

After a long break I am now looking forward to surfing again; let's hope there are some folk out there prepared to put up a couple of smelly muddy cyclists! :)

Interests

We are fascinated by Mark Boyle's concept of a moneyless economy- a system based on the exchange of knowledge and skills without the involvement of cash. We believe one can live quite happily without the need to be constantly connected to the virtual reality but instead by spending less, getting off-grid and generally consuming less. We're excited about exploring our opportunities over the next several months. Si loves working with wood and playing the guitar; I am mad about food (particularly smelly cheeses) and wanting to play the guitar but being to impatient.

• dining
• guitar
• cycling
• surfing
• rock climbing

Music, Movies, and Books

Simon: Withnail and I, Mid August Lunch, The Taste of Others; Black Keys, Rolling Stones, Richard Thompson; Under the Skin, Open Veins of Latin America, As I walked out one mid summer morning. Ela:films-seen way too many to remember them all; Everything Everything, blues, modern folk;A short history of tractors in Ukrainian, Michel Faber's books and all sorts of cookbooks...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Simon: Cycling Southern Highway in Chile, climbing a 20000ft mountain. Ela- cycling through France on my own, gaining access to intentional communities around England- it was like entering another dimension!

Teach, Learn, Share

I can show you how to make bread and fix a bike puncture; Simon will happily show you a trick or two on the guitar or teach you how to put a wooden bookshelf together with no nails :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Serbia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, United Kingdom

Countries I’ve Lived In

Poland, United Kingdom

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