Earlier this year I quit my job as a social worker. I decided that I had worked long and hard, and I had a strong desire to go travelling. I wanted to do this with the freedom of knowing when I returned, and what I did at that point was up to me. I am single, but have two adult children, and five grandchildren. They follow me on Instagram, and I have already been earmarked to visit school to discuss my trip with them.
I am very happy with my decision to travel, and I would like to continue. I have met some amazing people, and have been surprised by the number of people who are travelling for very similar reasons to me.
I am not in a position to host at this time, but I believe I will in the future. Of course everything depends on our own experiences. As I have travelled, and met people I have shared positive experiences, and I am so happy when they visit places, and stay where I have stayed. It is nice to be trusted in this way. I am currently in New Zealand, and will be meeting up with a fellow traveller in January. I met her in Munnar, and spent a couple of days together.
Update:
Well I ended up staying in New Zealand until May. Awesome experience woofing in Nelson. Kind of fell off the backpacking trail, but was gifted a real opportunity to become part of the local community for a while. I ended up doing all kinds of jobs, tree pruning, painting roofs, working with a vegetarian butcher.
Am now in Sydney catching up with family, but heading to Hong Kong at the end of July.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I couchsurfed unofficially during my time in India. I recently spent a few months in New Zealand woofing. I have seen some beautiful places, skylines, landscapes during my travels, but it will be the people I have met, and shared moments with who will make me smile.

Music, Movies, and Books

Since I started travelling I have been deprived of my Spotify, and haven't heard much new music. I love live performances of any kind, and my musical tastes are quite broad in terms of genres. I watched a band in Melbourne recently who were performing some interpretation/homage/parody of glam rock. Loved it, and started listening to 70's stuff on YouTube. A week later I was wandering around the back streets of Fitzroy, and stumbled across a jazz band recording in a little studio. It made my day.
I watch everything from chick flicks to world cinema. Love a good blockbuster, but get switched off from Hollywood more often these days. My favourite film of the last few months is Gods own country.
I am currently reading Sons and lovers, which is the first grownup book I recall reading at school. I usually have a few books on the go, but don't finish them all. Am much more likely to read fiction. I like to read one of the classics occasionally (or attempt to ).

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I climbed my first tree at the age of 55.

Teach, Learn, Share

I have completed some training to teach English as a foreign language. Maybe that could useful to some. Am happy to share my experiences, philosophy with anyone. Hopefully I will always be learning, and evolving. Since travelling I have redound my love of gardening, decorating, cooking, and all manner of practicalities, and am happy to continue using these skills.