CURRENT MISSION

Enjoy life, love, work, play...

ABOUT ME

Recently early retired headteacher (for want of more accurate description)of a school for young people excluded from mainstream schools. It took a while to work out who I am without work, but now enjoying more time to spend with our guests and visit CS friends around the world.
We'll go anywhere. Building relationships with the people we meet is as important as visiting the places. There's a whole world to discover, but India is under our skin and it draws us back again and again. The indomitable spirit of the Indian people overcomes any difficulties and it is great to see old friends and make new ones. We're also completely smitten with Australia; the bush,the wildlife, the great swimming and horseriding.

PHILOSOPHY

Enjoy life. We only have today. Do something good for someone else and it comes back to you! Although we're not 'religious' in a conventional sense, we acknowledge a spiritual dimension and continue to enjoy working out the meaning of life.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

We joined the CS community to meet new people and extend our cultural understanding. It has certainly done this for us as we have hosted people from every continent. We have not really surfed yet, more like made return visits to people we have hosted and who are now real friends. Also, 'parent swapping' is a new venture! If you don’t receive a reply it’s because the site doesn’t always send my messages. Email: helles6041@hotmail.co.uk

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Great to have cultural and language exchanges in our own home. Have enjoyed showing people around our area- especially walks in the wonderful Peak District. Have enjoyed making meals for all to share and having meals made for us! Sometimes I let people ride my horse!

Interests

Travel; preparation for travel for ourselves and other people, reading, walking, swimming and horseriding.
Entertaining and sharing with guests /friends, wine, great food,
comparative religion : God holds the umbrella we all shelter under

• wildlife
• dining
• wine
• working out
• walking
• reading
• traveling
• socializing
• swimming
• religion
• language exchange

Music, Movies, and Books

We have over 3000 books in our house- how can we pick a favourite? Helen has a particular interest in Indian fiction. Les is hugely widely read; every thing from Chaucer to cereal boxes.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

On a train from Chidambaram to Chennai we met a man who later persuaded us to buy 9 acres of land in Karnataka south India for the benefit of semi tribal people who struggle to feed themeselves. Seeing this land transformed from a stony wasteland to an irrigated and crop producing oasis was miraculous. We last returned from India and were cheered, amazed and horrified at the speed of change in the cities, whilst the rural population see little or no benefits. Meanwhile, five cows rescued from a city street six years ago have continued to provide milk and calves in their new village home.

Teach, Learn, Share

There is something to be learned every day from everyone. We have particularly enjoyed meeting people who live, or have lived under 'different' political regimes. It is important for them to tell their stories and for us to listen, understand,and in a small way help to combat stereotypes and miscomprehensions as we in turn tell their stories to others. Les can teach about native bird life and Helen can teach you to ride a horse or show you the countryside on horseback if you're already a rider.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Vatican City State, Viet Nam, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom

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