I travelled Asia and Australia in my early 20's then spent almost a decade in Glasgow working as a travel agent and enjoying the perks of the job. I loved (and still do) meeting people from all over the world and finding our common ground whilst learning and appreciating the differences too.
The last decade has been settling down and raising a family in the foothills of the Peak District in England. It's great being surrounded by hills and greenery, whilst the city of Manchester is just 40mins away (avoiding rush hour).

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Taking my 11 year old son interrailing and want to meet some locals along the way and get to really know the areas we are visiting.

I hope to host in future my other half needs his own space and for now is a little sceptical. Hoping to show him what a wonderful experience it can be.

Interests

At weekends we kick the ball around outside or pack a picnic and go for a cycle. We visit the North Wales coast a lot in the summer where we paddle board, kayak or windsurf. I occasionally get to the theatre or a concert or festival with friends. Sometimes I just like getting off the train somewhere new and wandering around the neighborhood.

• exploring new places
• watersports
• exploring nature
• music and dancing
• playing outdoors with the kids

Music, Movies, and Books

I get lost in the story but have a memory of a sieve and can never remember what I've listened to/read/watched afterwards! Quite diverse in taste for music in particular but love a good beat. Read to my kids every night and listen to stories whilst driving.

I've really enjoyed some of the BBC sound ones. I'd particularly recommend looking up: Forest 404 (set in a future where forests and their ecosystem have been eliminated and only exist in ancient sound recording. Interspersed with short music episodes between each episode).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Been so lucky to experience so much.

One special example I think resonates with the ethos of this community...
I spent a weekend in Paris with a French work colleague in my 20's, and we got chatting to a complete stranger who then spent the next couple of hours showing us their Paris, even driving us to le Sacre Cour before dropping us back at our apartment and accepting nothing in return. Trusting in the kindness of a stranger gave us both a totally different perspective of the city and I can't quite believe our luck in doing so.

I have since done similar a couple of times for travellers I've met whilst living in Glasgow.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Company and English conversation (or not, if you prefer). Respect for you and the place and way you live.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Cook Islands, Cuba, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Grenada, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Romania, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Tanzania, Thailand, Tonga, United States, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, England, Scotland, United States