CURRENT MISSION

Saying 'yes' to as many good opportunities that come my way, and making my own luck in the meantime. Always on a mission to resist becoming lazy in my outlook!

ABOUT ME

Charities lawyer, classical musician, helps run a charity that brings music into prisons, and another that helps keep music in cathedrals going. Split my time between London and Vienna, where my partner is posted (he’s a diplomat who is very keen on tea and puns). Loves all food except mustard and horseradish. Amateur painter keen on poetry, pizza, and dachshunds. Looking to meet genuinely interesting people and create some stories worth telling.

PHILOSOPHY

Strive to be happy and always ask questions!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I like to use CS to meet people as well as to stay with people - I enjoy travelling on my own but love meeting locals who can show me the nooks and crannies of their hometown.

Sadly not in a position to host as I don’t own the place I’m living in. However, CS has been good for me to seek out people for last-minute travel and accommodation panics all over the world. I'm originally from the Isle of Man and may be able to put you in touch with people if you want somewhere to stay during the TT, for all you motorbike enthusiasts out there - my mum loves hosting!

I've used CS in New Zealand, Japan, USA, Italy, and the Netherlands - I've always had a really positive experience.

On my bucket list: Scandinavia; South East Asia; islands and islands and islands.

Interests

Classical music, quirky theatre, reading, terrible television, travelling. My favourite thing to do while travelling is wandering aimlessly without a plan and people-watching while soaking up the atmosphere.

I'm an islander at heart so I'm always happiest next to a body of water!

• movies
• reading
• traveling
• music
• classical music
• last minute travel
• theatre

Music, Movies, and Books

Classical music: anything from plainchant to contemporary, Leonin and Perotin to Josquin to Bach to Zelenka to Mozart to Rachmaninov to Reich to Cage and more and more and more. I'll listen to pretty much anything - but classical's where my heart is. Special shout out to 16th century chamber music.

I spent lockdown ploughing through the IMDB top 250. There are a lot of films I haven’t seen - including iconic ones and cult classics. I enjoy films a lot, it just seems a lot of them have passed me by!

I've a habit of reading lots of books at the same time, and then taking ages and ages to finish them. Currently stuck on Kaufman, Kafka, Murakami, Dostoyevsky, and Wilde.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I've been lucky enough to see some amazing sights and sites, but experiencing a week travelling in North Korea under Kim Jong Il's regime is pretty unbeatable.

Teach, Learn, Share

If I can teach prisoners to sing, I can teach you...! Fun workshop-style games and activities are my bag.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My mum's broccoli and walnut lasagne recipe, the best and easiest chocolate truffle recipe you'll ever hear, a good romp through classical music history, and an easy-going travel companion :)

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Canada, China, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, England, Faroe Islands, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Isle of Man, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Malaysia, Montenegro, Morocco, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Korea, Northern Ireland, Norway, Poland, Russian Federation, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Tunisia, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

Austria, China, Isle of Man, New Zealand, United Kingdom, United States