CURRENT MISSION

To learn Arabic and gain experience of Arab speaking countries.

ABOUT ME

I'm a father of four; my eldest daughter being grown up now while my other three children stay with me most of the time when I'm not on duty (I'm in the fire service). My educational background is I suppose a little at odds with my profession, but as a philosophy graduate and journalism student with a strong aversion to "the office" and most "desk borne" occupations, it's been a privilege (not to mention a merciful deliverance ) to be able to work in such a profession. I love my job for the simple reason that it occasionally allows you to help others in an unequivocally practical and uncomplicated way!

PHILOSOPHY

It's hard to summarise such a thing but if pressed I suppose I'd have to say (at the risk of sounding a bit pompous and ernest) that the most important and valuable things in life are love, family, friendship, knowledge and a capacity to delight in other people.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I would like to participate in the CS2 Project by meeting with people in other countries and having guests to stay whenever I am able.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I've not actually hosted anyone as yet but through this site I've made some really fantastic friends in Syria and have now been there twice.

Interests

I love music and books and have pretty varied and ecclectic tastes on both counts. I am also currently trying to learn Arabic in the forlorn hope that I might someday achieve a respectable level of literacy and fluency. I am also very interested in learning Persian (should the opportunity ever arise) I read a lot in my spare time over a fairly wide range of topics and genres and I do try to maintain a reasonable knowledge of what's going on in the world. I love the sea - particularly snorkelling, diving and coastal walks - and also camping with my children - when I've got the stamina for it! I do a little cycling for fun (and transport too) I enjoy cooking and am reasonably competant at it - well, according to my children and work colleagues anyway!

• books
• cooking
• music
• cycling
• camping
• scuba diving
• journalism

Music, Movies, and Books

It would take me far, far too long to decide what to include. Plus I'm not really a great fan of lists!

Teach, Learn, Share

I would be delighted to help anyone develop their English, and naturally I am very keen to get the chance to improve my Arabic.

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