Update Feb 2018.

Well, time moves inexorably on and so my kids are all getting older.

Nathan is 21 now, and is hopefully going to Uni next year - after taking a couple of years out. He lives with his mum but is a regular visitor.

Lewis is 20 and a father (!!!) which was a bit of a surprise, but is working out well (his son Logan is now 2 and very cute). He lives about five minutes from me with his girlfriend.

Oliver is still at home with me (he's 14) and is studying Spanish - but is also very interested in German as he did this subject for a couple of years.

We converted my house into two flats - I live downstairs and my ex- lives upstairs. It's good for Oliver as he can see us both whenever he wants. It's working out quite well, actually.

So I am now in a two bed flat - which is fine, but limits me to having a max of two people staying.

I'm still keen to meet new people, so give me a shout.

Mark.

***
Update: September 2016.

I'll be taking couchsurfers again in about 2 months -- currently the house is like a building site as a lot of work is being done.

My sons are now: 20, 18 and almost 13. The older boys obviously have their own lives now...

My 18 year old has a son of his own! Slightly early (about ten years :-))) but we're getting on with it and Logan (7 months old) is really cool -- mostly he stays at my son's mum's house.

Looking forward to being able to host again!

Mark.

***
Another update.

I've really enjoyed having families or parents with kids to stay. My older boys (17, 18) aren't around so much (they've got their own friends) however my youngest so Oliver is 11 and likes to meet other kids too.

So I welcome parents and children too.

I also welcome people without children :).

Ciao,
Mark.

CURRENT MISSION

First update in my profile for a couple of years. I must have had about 8 or ten stays with me -- from 1 to 4 persons at a time -- and have made at least one long term friend who I see every year. It is fun to meet new people -- and I have had no disasters. Sometimes people are a little quiet or conservative -- but that's fine too.

Anyone who can teach me to cook something new gets my vote. Oh, and if you can teach me to meditate that'd be even better :) -- but that's really optional.

ABOUT ME

I am a graduate of CS, live with my son (13) who is great. This is a bit of a wild and chaotic house, so if you just want quiet, don't come here! I have two older boys (now 20 and 18) who come and go as they please but sometimes have noisy friends around.

Personally, I have travelled fairly extensively through Europe, Africa (three countries), USA, C. and South America (not enough, I love it), S.E Asia... I want to do more, but I just love meeting people from other countries. It enlivens me, makes me a better person. So come and stay.

Mark.

PHILOSOPHY

Respect other people's views.
But also respect my own views.
Look after my kids.
Integrity and honesty.
Thinking about the meaning of life, sometimes... :)
Having fun.
Talking with other people.
Occasional wild nights... Hey I'm human!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

At the moment offering a couch for short terms.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Lots of guests now.

Interests

People. Music/Films, Philosophy, Science. Religion from a philosophical perspective My kids. Women, songs and wine. A good night out. Hopscotch. What can I say :)!

• cooking
• wine
• beer
• movies
• socializing
• music
• religion
• science
• lakes

Music, Movies, and Books

You'll find that out if you visit!
!

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Met lots of great people in different countries.

This is difficult because I've had a lot of awesome experiences actually. It's difficult to choose. But I'll try to be honest.

Being present when my kids were born. I know it's a cliche but it is true.
Stayed in Finland in the lakes in the east during mid-summmer. That was cool.
Worked in Latvia (recently), Netherlands, Panama! and a couple of other places.

I've always loved meeting people from different places - I can't explain why, but I have always been drawn to it, and still am.

more later ...

Teach, Learn, Share

Lots of different types of people. No stereotype.!

What I Can Share with Hosts

Sofa, mattress -- I'm pretty well set up and it is comfortable.

Often you get your own room -- depends.
Cooking facilities.
Wine and beers.

Respect the place and muck in a bit and you can act as if you live here -- come and go as you like -- etc. No restrictions, though I do this because I like to meet people, not because I want to run free hostal : ).

Experiences one way or another of 37 countries...

Countries I’ve Lived In

England, France, Germany, Latvia, Panama