CURRENT MISSION

be the change you want to see in the world

ABOUT ME

Friendly, relaxed & generally optimistic and positive about life.
Open minded, curious about different world views and opinions.
I enjoy finding ways to bring a little exuberance into peoples lives, or at least the occasional smile :)
Every now and then I like to let a random element choose the direction, just to see where it leads.

I prefer talking to people one on one rather than big parties and loud groups, so if you are looking for wild parties I'm probably not the best host for you. However I'm more than happy to chat over a cup of tea or glass of wine, or go out for a nice meal with you somewhere.

PHILOSOPHY

This is an old turkish tale: from the wise fool of the east :)

The sand of the Black Sea coast was covered with myriads of starfish washed ashore by the storm and convicted to be soon dried out by the sun. Nasreddin was patiently throwing them back, one by one, undisturbed by the hopeless immensity of the task.

A passer-by wondered and asked him,

“Why are you wasting your time? It’s all Allah’s will. Don’t you see that all you can do doesn’t count at all?”

“It counts for me, and it counts for this one,” answered Hodja, tossing yet another starfish into the tide.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

When travelling I have couch surfed and met people from the place I'm visiting. I've hosted people on my sofa while travelling, and I'm happy to host people at home when I'm in residence.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Couchsurfed Ljubljana in Slovenia with a lovely lady and her daughter. Met Couchsurfer Ajda in Bovec for coffees and chats, and explored the WWI trenches. Joined walks, picnics and frisbee games in the parks in Bath with local couchsurfers, Hosted random travellers while at home and while travelling... I've met some wonderful and interesting people from all over the world.

Interests

Active outdoor things. Snowboarding. Kayak/Canoe sports, walking, cycling, getting close to nature.

Science: astronomy, physics, chaos, life, the universe and patterns reflecting patterns. I studied Physics at university, because I thought it would help me understand the Universe! All it did was open up more questions!!

Other things: cooking, yoga, dancing (Modern Jive mainly, but trying to learn tango, salsa, west coast swing)
People, fresh thoughts, new ideas, different cultures.

• dogs
• dancing
• tango
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• yoga
• coach
• instructor
• sauna
• walking
• partying
• traveling
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• canoeing
• kayaking
• snowboarding
• sports
• astronomy
• languages
• physics
• science
• parks

Music, Movies, and Books

Books: I have enjoyed many books, its hard to pick one out.
Recently read The Book Thief though, and oddly touched by it.

Films: I liked Star Wars. And the lord of the rings. Amelie was nice. Dead Poets Society was excellent! As was the History Boys. Quite liked the Matrix too.

Music: I enjoy a wide variety of music, particularly if it's live, at a festival, with a good vibe and lovely people. I enjoyed listening to Revere perform at Wychwood a couple of years ago, huddled under a shelter made of several umbrella's with 4 random people in the middle of a thunderstorm, it was fabulous. Last record I bought was Kings of Leon I think.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

One of my favourite travel experiences was a dog sledding expedition, in Swedish Lapland, staying overnight in a wilderness cabin where we cooked over a log fired stove, which we also had to use to de-frost the dog food! Collected water from the nearby stream, stoked up a log fired sauna. Steeeeeeamed! and later watched the Northern Lights arc weirdly green across the sky!

Teach, Learn, Share

I am a level 1 BASI qualified snowboard instructor.
I also just qualified as a Level 1 UKCC Canoe coach, but broke my hand doing it! so off the water for a few weeks!

I can help you practice your Jive moves, as long as you know the basics :) Or we could just dance.

I have many years experience of working in large companies in England (British Aerospace, Lloyds TSB, Civica) so if you wish to discuss how true The Dilbert Principle is, I could go on for hours, especially if there's a bottle of wine around :)

I would like to learn new languages. And different world views. I'd like to learn your stories, especially from your mistakes :) and I could tell you some of mine in exchange.

Countries I’ve Visited

Bolivia, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Peru, Slovenia, Sweden

Countries I’ve Lived In

Norway, Slovenia, United Kingdom

• 

•