CURRENT MISSION

Being all that I can be and all that jazz

ABOUT ME

I am fascinated by people. I am a slightly obsessive photographer. I like cake, white wine and coffee. I prefer the beach when it's cold and no-one else is there. I think visits to art galleries and museums are best accompanied by laughter and smiles - it's not an exams! Cat slave.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I would like to meet up with people, give some advice and hopefully meet some other cs-ers on my travels in the near future!

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I met up with a couple of fantastic people in Xian. I was disappointed not to be able to host anyone when I was living in China, and would like to be able to share some of the best parts of my home county with travellers.

Interests

In no particular order: writing, blogging, photography, travel, reading, film, yoga, gym, cooking, food and wine, live music, browsing bookshops, walking, the sea, French, socialising with friends in cafes or bars.

• cats
• arts
• writing
• photography
• dining
• cooking
• wine
• white wine
• coffee
• yoga
• walking
• reading
• traveling
• blogging
• music
• live music
• jazz
• history
• beaches

Music, Movies, and Books

I am a bookaholic. Favourite writers: Jane Austen, Edmund Spenser, Vladimir Nabokov, Charles Dickens, Chaucer, the Bronte sisters, Elizabeth Braddon, Thomas Pynchon, Shakespeare, John Donne, Tolstoy, Alexander McCall Smith, Ian Rankin...and the list goes on... My latest find has been 'The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo' and 'The Girl Who Played with Fire' - outstanding. I can't understand why detective fiction is so looked down upon.

I have become shockingly ignorant about music - something I need to work on.

Movies - a few favourites: Amelie, The Lord of War, Jules et Jim, Don't Look Now, Breakfast at Tiffany's, La Haine, The Pink Panther (original), The Italian Job...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Taken a hot air balloon ride in Yangshuo - even though I'm stupidly scared of heights I managed to enjoy it - even if I did almost cry once or twice! My relief at not dying after nearly landing on powerlines and someone's house is something I will always carry with me.

Teach, Learn, Share

I can teach English and basic French, and I love teaching people how to cook my favourite dishes. (I love eating them even more). I am interesting in learning more French, and about history, yoga and tai chi.

Countries I’ve Visited

China, Egypt, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands

Countries I’ve Lived In

China, United Kingdom

•