CURRENT MISSION

Get my novel published

ABOUT ME

Oh gosh, where to start! Nature-loving, tree-hugging, animal-loving person who spends as much time as possible walking ang being outdoors. Love mountains, lakes, woods, forests, wilderness, clouds etc. Bit too timid for bungy jumping etc , prefer walking and cycling to dangerous sports. But would like to do more kayaking and wilderness walking. I'm an odd mixture of hermit and sociable person - I like to walk alone a lot to experience nature but I love to meet interesting people and talk about the meaning of life too. Friends call me eccentric - I don't know about that, I'm just busy being me I guess and not worrying too much about being like other people. I don't watch much TV, am too busy living. I do archery, badminton, belly dancing, woodwork, stained glass making, writing, reading, listening to an eclectic collection of music, eating with friends, teaching creative writing, running children's poetry workshops. I've just been made redundant from a job in the charity sector and am going to concentrate on my writing for a while - finish that book at last.
My characteristics - cheerful, enthusiastic, good sense of humour including a sense of irony and the kind of black humour that helps in dire situations. I've had an interesting life, not an easy one - hopefully that makes me a more interesting person to meet. I like to laugh, meet people and talk about interesting stuff. Not into shopping or mindless drinking - prefer the meaning of life with a couple of glasses of wine and interesting people.

PHILOSOPHY

I believe in respecting others' views and like people who are kind, caring, considerate and interested in others. I have a large sense of humour - the greatest asset in life - along with the cheerful genes I inherited from my father. I believe in trying to be happy and self-reliant, in not doing harm to other people or to animals. I believe in respect for others' beliefs - and that if we all truly listened to one another there would be less fear and misunderstanding between people of different countries and faiths. I think my aim in life is to have many kind and interesting friends, including lots that share my sense of humour as well as to use my talents by writing and teaching writing.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Couchsurfed several times in New Zealand and had good experience every time.
Happy to host when I'm resident back in England

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Four stays in NZ - all good!

Interests

Nature, mountains, trees, clouds, walking in lonely places, like dogs and most animals, books, words and writing. I like wildlife watching, hearing birdsong, love swimming, snorkelling, paddling and walking on quiet beaches. And travelling the world of course.
Prefer walking and cycling to more dangerous sports but I do want to try kayaking and white water rafting while in NZ. I enjoy talking to people who think for themselves and who are good listeners.

• animals
• dogs
• wildlife
• writing
• books
• poetry
• dancing
• belly dancing
• wine
• running
• walking
• drinking
• shopping
• reading
• tv
• traveling
• socializing
• woodworking
• music
• opera
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• kayaking
• buddhist
• sports
• swimming
• archery
• badminton
• beaches
• lakes
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

Huge range of music from blues to classical to 1940's to swing /jazz , rock, guitar greats, 1960's and 70's , a few new singers too, not very modern in my taste, been too busy to keep up with it really, always out and doing stuff. Like good movies, read books like a book worm. Enjoy crime novels, historical, children's, literary fiction, all sorts really.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Chinese opera in Beijing. Swimming in mountain tarns - hugging new puppies and feeding calves warm milk.

Teach, Learn, Share

I know about how to write a good short story.

The older I get the less I feel I know - but I think that's a good sign. I'm wary of people who think they know a lot and want to tell everyone else how to live. I believe in live and let live. I lean towards Buddhism but I respect others' different beliefs. No-one really knows!

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, China, Cook Islands, Czech Republic, Nepal, Norway

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, New Zealand, Spain, United Kingdom

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