Through the sixties and seventies, I went to nine different schools. I heard many languages spoken in the schoolyards and learned to speak a little of a few of them. In the early eighties, I got a job, a car and out of home. I picked up a lot of hitch hikers. Mostly German and Dutch travelers in New Zealand in those days. A few of them stayed at my place. In the mid eighties, I was in Europe. I hitch hiked a lot and rode motorcycles a lot and stayed with some of those who had stayed with me or rode in my car. Of course I also stayed with people I met along the way. All in all, I have spent a lot of time very happy in the company of strangers. Actually, they weren't strange at all..... Really, it was a whole lot of fun. Interesting and educational too. Did I mention the fun factor? Then I went back to New Zealand, got married (to a Japanese woman),moved to Australia, had a lot of Japanese guests, rode motorcycles a lot, got divorced, got burned out in my job (repairing motorcycles), got depressed and forgot about all of the fun things that had made my life so good as it was. I survived on the company of dogs and music for a few years. Yes; I confess; I play bass. Acoustic fretless. mostly. I used to practice guitar a lot and did play quite well. Then I discovered they joys of playing something that moves folks to move. I do a lot of rhythm and a little melody. Being a part time professional musician did make me a bit happier and gradually, I got going again. About nine years ago, I sold my house and got out of suburbia (Melbourne) and went bush. Best decision ever for me and not for the first time. Currently, I am back to doing what I am good at; fixing motorcycles (or other peoples mistakes as the case may be) and riding motorcycles daily. I get to play music occasionally and more would definitely be good. I have a ten dollar house with a million dollar view and I would like some musical bikers to enjoy it with me. If you are not musical or a biker, I am sure your story will be interesting for other reasons. I am interested. My home is near Beaufort Victoria Australia. About 40 minutes from Ballarat, 25 minutes from Ararat and about seven minutes from the Western Highway.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

Short answer? Self interest. Yes; Guilty. I live alone. While I am happy with my own company and that of my dog and cat and horse, I really do enjoy having a visitor or two. Travel stories from others will get me traveling again. I still enjoy camping so don't need a lot of creature comforts. Couch surfing is as much my style as hitch hiking was in my youth. I do like sharing my rural lifestyle and look forward to experiencing others' lives and learning some.

Interests

• dogs
• motorcycles
• music
• camping
• nature
• campfires
• nature walks
• quiet
• trail riding
• ballarat
• beaufort

Music, Movies, and Books

There are too many genre of music and too many time periods or era for me to pick a favourite. My taste in music goes from four hundred years ago until today. That said; I am not a fan of dark themes. No heavy metal. no evil. Nothing that might encourage bad or antisocial behaviour. Wide ranging and/but selective. Movies? Multi way tie. The Big Chill, When Harry Met Sally and Gandhi (Ben Kingsly, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Darjeeling Limited, The Shawshank Redemption and while we are at it, add in The World's Fastest Indian. Books? Check out my bookshelves........

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Crossed The Simpson Desert. Twice. 1996: four guys and four bikes. No support vehicle' 1999; Solo; No 'support. I was well prepared. There were others out there also well prepared, If They had needed help from me: it would have been given without a second thought. If I had needed help' I would hope that it would have been given without a second thought. This is the spirit of the Traveler. Give and receive. No thought. Just give and receive. Enjoy.

Teach, Learn, Share

Teach' Learn' Share....... Aaahhhhhhh yes.............. Is that not what we are here for? I am always looking to learn, I do like to practice language. Improving skills and learning new ones. As a mechanic, motorcyclist and traveler, I have plenty to share with like minded folk. Stories and skills. Within sight of my home, is Buangor State Park with hundreds of kilometers of trails to ride or drive. You can ride or learn to ride on my land. Enjoy the view. Play music.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Housekeeping, cooking, repairing stuff or teaching how. Stories.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, England, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Scotland, Singapore, Switzerland, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, England, Fiji, Japan, New Zealand, Spain