We are a quietly friendly couple and our home is a pretty calm, quiet place (unless our young grandchildren are staying!) We like to give each other, and our guests, their own space to relax. Even so, we enjoy meeting people and learning about people's views of life. Friends describe us as easy going.

I suppose my philosophy is to treat others as I like to be treated. I am a big fan of kindness. I don't like hurrying.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm on couchsurfing because it brings people together and is of mutual benefit without money being involved. It works kind of like a "gift economy" and that appeals to me. So far I have only participated as a host. I would like also for us to experience travelling and being couch surfing guests.

We are comfortable just hosting occasionally, and so we have to say "no" many times or we would be hosting every week, which feels like too much.

I've thoroughly enjoyed the hosting we have done. Everyone has been very interesting to meet.

Interests

We love our home, our children, our grandchildren and our dog. Alison loves painting and creative writing. Lewis loves cricket. We both love music, enjoy walking in the countryside, gardening, eating lovely food, watching good films.

• dining
• movies
• traveling
• socializing
• painting
• cricket

Music, Movies, and Books

Favourite films: "Way Out West" (Laurel and Hardy), "Contact" (with Jodie Foster), "Little Miss Sunshine"

Favourite fiction books: "His Dark Materials Trilogy" (Philip Pulman); "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" (Muriel Spark), "The Poisonwood Bible", (Barbara Kingsolver)

Non fiction: "The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Possible"

Favourite music: All sorts, from Mozart to DJ Tiesto to Liza Minnelli to EST to Bob Marley to Nanci Griffiths to Bombay Bicycle Club to Neil Young.........

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

The births of my children, seeing Bob Marley in concert, seeing the leaning tower of Pisa, the beauty of the west coast of Scotland in midsummer, a microlite flight, finding the love of my life.

Teach, Learn, Share

We adopted a greyhound a few years ago, and had eight fabulous years with her. I enjoyed it so much I want to write a fun book about it!

I'm very interested in permaculture and renewable energies and earthships and keen to learn more.

What I Can Share with Hosts

I love to listen to people's views of life.

I am a volunteer tutor of English for speakers of other languages, and love helping people practice speaking or writing English.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, France, Germany, India, Italy, Morocco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom