CURRENT MISSION

Make the most of life doing what I want now I have freedom to do so!

ABOUT ME

I am an active older woman, 'age is just a number'. I enjoy friends of many walks of life, and ages. I am independant, divorced, happily single. Large extended family I try to keep up with! I enjoy their visits and visitors, old friends, new ones, wwoofers... I am happiest outdoors. I usually have a project of some kind, a luxury of retirement (from teaching).

PHILOSOPHY

Respect for others. Curiosity, what makes people tick.
Trying to learn that 'selfish' is not the bad word I thought it was - respect for self. Savour each day and nature.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I enjoy writing about people and their projects and experiences, especially involved with earth or natural building, or involvement in community projects like gardening etc. Just curious I guess.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Only recently discovered CS. A bit late after my travelling! But enjoyed host in Blue Mountains, Sydney
who shared some walks and directed me to others. My closest travel but really good.

Interests

I love the many walks on my island, and hikes in New Zealand and overseas. I love to get to our many beaches on the island, swim as often as possible, not a wonderful swimmer, but an ex surfer and like to be in the sea.And on it sometimes in a kayak. I have built a mudbrick house, which I sold, which enabled more travel, though I am quite a homebody as well. I am still involved with the Earth Building Association of New Zealand, wrote a book about earth houses in New Zealand and contribute articles (freelance or voluntary) on subjects that take my fancy, often earthy, organic, people.

• writing
• books
• running
• gardening
• traveling
• outdoor activities
• hiking
• kayaking
• swimming
• freelancing
• beaches
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

We have a small 50 seat cinema with old couches and we get good films on our island. Too many to list.
Books, also too many, Snow Falling on Cedars, The Horse Boy, Travels with Boogie, The Human House, Tiny Homes Simple Shelter, Built by Hand, Hone Tuwhare, The Elegance of the Hedgehog, The Tipping Point, A life of Her Own - Transformation of a Countrywoman in 20th C France, The Art of Racing in the Rain, State of Wonder, Paddle to the Amazon............

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Padddling Wanganui River with one of daughters. After spending a night alone in a hut across Stewart Island and starting back early in pouring rain I was delighted by kiwis running fearlessly around me.

Teach, Learn, Share

The older generation, even older than me, have lots of interesting experience to share. The young ones bring their new experiences and talents and energy.

Countries I’ve Visited

Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Croatia, France, Italy, New Caledonia, Niue, Singapore, Thailand, Tonga, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

New Zealand, United Kingdom