I was a teacher of English/Humanities for 35 years; 22 years as a Head Teacher. I loved being a teacher but I made the difficult decision to leave teaching and pursue other avenues, for example, my passion for travel. I do, however, intend to keep in close touch with the educational world through voluntary work and charitable links as I feel education is the most powerful tool we can employ in order to inspire and enable future generations to reach their full potential and act as guardians for society and the planet.

I am passionate about travel which has led me to visit over 80 countries on every continent. This includes deserts, rainforest, Arctic and mountainous regions. I usually spend about a week in the Arctic in the winter each year where I have been on expeditions across glaciers, explored ice caves, canoed amongst icebergs and snorkelled on the continental divide in Iceland. I am an advanced skier and I aim to spend a week in mountainous regions to ski and explore. In addition, I have done long trips across deserts and though rain forests. During other school holidays I seek out new and less well travelled locations across the world. I have led numerous expeditions for students to China, Japan, India, Africa, New Zealand, Europe and the U.K. which have involved broadening the horizons of students. I have worked closely with the Outward Bound Trust to give young people life changing experiences in remote settings; and with the British Council on leading English Language Summer Camps in Eastern Europe and the Connecting Classrooms Programme which links U.K. schools with schools worldwide. I have a good understanding of world history, culture, heritage, geography, science and related topics which I feel would enable me to provide a positive visitor experience. I am very interested in issues related to the natural environment and conservation. I have been on many expeditions to see wildlife throughout the world. These include many safaris in Africa; bears in Romania and North America; penguins in New Zealand, Australia and South Africa; whales in North America, South Africa and Australia; and a sea lion colony on Kangaroo Island in South Australia. I have been a keen ornithologist since the age of ten when I joined the Young Ornithologists Club (Y.O.C.); later joining the RSPB.

I love theatre/cinema/reading/hiking/museums/art galleries.

I have been married to my wonderful husband, Richard, since 1989 and we have three children who are now adults.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I am well travelled and love to meet local people so I can gain a deeper understanding of a place. In addition, I love to host.

When I visit someone I aim to give back something, for example, English Tutoring for adults/children.

I have been a 5W (Women Welcome Women World Wide) member (all female version of couch surfing) since 1997. When my children were smaller we had some wonderful experiences meeting members who knew all the best playgrounds! I am still in touch with some 22 years later. As the children got older it seemed unreasonable for a family of five to descend on 5W members so we have tended to house exchange. I have rejoined 5W in recent years as it is rare for us to all travel together. I have decided to join Couch Surfing to widen my scope.

My first experience of couchsurfing was in early 2020 in Argentina and I found it to be an amazing experience. My hosts have become lifelong friends!

Music, Movies, and Books

I love an eclectic mix of music, movies and books.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Teacher Exchange to Australia for a year in 2005. My children went to school there and my youngest daughter had a joey kangaroo in the classroom! We were able to travel extensively throughout Australia and New Zealand.

Teach, Learn, Share

When I visit someone I aim to give back something, for example, English Tutoring for adults/children. English conversation to a high level.

English literature tutoring.

I love learning about other people and their country/culture/beliefs.

What I Can Share with Hosts

When I visit someone I aim to give back something, for example, English Tutoring for adults/children. English conversation to a high level.

English literature tutoring.

My love of reading, museums, art galleries, the theatre, other cultures, travel, the outdoor world/hiking.

Countries I’ve Visited

Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, England, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, India, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jersey, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malta, Martinique, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Norway, Palestine, Paraguay, Poland, Romania, Russian Federation, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Scotland, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Vatican City State, Wales, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, United Kingdom