Living on the Isle of Luing (a one-hour bus ride from Oban, + a 5 minute ferry). I have time, and try to be generous with it....

My Philosophy:

Go lightly on the earth.
Use brain before brawn.
Sail a boat rather than rowing it.
Walk or use a bike, a van for travels!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Mostly hosting... in a very quiet and beautiful place where very few people pass by chance. The result is like a holiday and cultural exchange for me too!

Sadly WORKAWAY no longer operates in the UK, but I welcome those who are prepared to help me an hour or two maintaining the house or garden! I have hosted dozens of folk this way, and often they come back again, and again!

Interests

Playing on water....
Designing and making things.
Photography, painting and drawing as a means of communication...
Climbing a mountain if the sun is shining, summer or winter.
Exploring: at home and abroad, wild camping in an anonymous van

I don't like crowds, though enjoy the occasional day or two in a town or city.

I don't watch or participate in competitive sport (but have held National Championship Sailboat titles in the past)

• arts
• photography
• environment
• painting
• drawing
• guitar
• cycling
• sailing
• rowing

Music, Movies, and Books

I have read (quite a few) books, and really like the ones with pictures...

I enjoy classical music, Bach, Beethoven, Schubert, Sibelius, Mahler, Paart. (I think Mozart had some good tunes but probably didn't own a waste bin....)

I play the guitar, especially if you can sing...

I enjoy a bit of 1960's folk, (I lived on Merseyside in the early 60's!)

I respect George Martin for his contribution to the music popularly credited to Lennon & McCartney.

....and occasionally enjoy a bit jazz or early 70's prog rock at the right moment.

Films... Le Ballon Rouge (Albert Lamorisse 1956), Cul de Sac (Polanski 1966), Easy Rider (1979), The Passenger (Antonioni 1975), The Life of Brian(1979), El Bano del Papa (Chalone / Fernández 2007 )

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I opened my house to visitors thanks to CS!

An More.....

I invited artists to visit and stay awhile....

I hosted a film-maker... for whom I became the locations guy, art director and cameraman. A three day stay ended up a month, and now she has been back several times!

I hosted a graphic artist, who has now returned several times. We enjoy working together.

I hosted a fellow with a violin... we played together till the early hours.

I hosted a singer... we sang and played all night, then travelled to Skye together in my van.

Teach, Learn, Share

Learn to use a small boat with me... row, sail...or in the winter walk or cycle the island a little. I have several bikes.

Make something...

Maybe stay a little longer, contribute by helping with domestic maintenance, or even something more adventurous...

Share with me your guitar skills... I have some.

Encourage me to go off exploring.... maybe with you!

What I Can Share with Hosts

I have space to share in a quiet and beautiful environment.

There is a daytime cafe and tiny store on the island.

The nearest major town, Oban is a 3 hour round trip away.

I keep a stock of food here and shop once a week or 10 days.

I often arrange to meet surfers in Oban so we can buy food together.... it also makes getting to the island easier. Leaving the island by public transport is easier than getting here!

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Peru, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom, United States