My husband and I live in a very quiet residential block of flats at the foot of the South Downs in Hassocks. We’re a 20 minute trip (10 min walk + 10 train ride) from Brighton where we both work - I’m a strategist at a branding agency and he is a front end developer at a SaaS company. We share our home with our feisty, friendly and playful dog Buffy - named after the Slayer.

I couchsurfed a lot a very long time ago when I was at uni and thereafter. It was a great way to explore new places, make friends and find a community when I moved abroad. During my degree I travelled round England, Wales and Spain, photographing the generous people of Couchsurfing who shared their lives and homes with me. I then moved to New York and then Montpellier (FR) after graduating and used this network to make friends.

When I moved to Brighton in 2011, I hosted a few times but became disillusioned with the way the Couchsurfing business was going after its sale. What I had loved about it, that I felt was an intrinsically important part of developing trust and security between strangers, was that you would send and receive crafted messages to specific people that you wanted to stay with. As a traveller, these messages would be an act of vulnerability that was met with the generosity of the host. And as a host, it made the interaction feel less like a transaction; less like you were the free hotel option.

I don’t know what this community is like now, but I wanted to tidy up shop to see if anyone does want to come and explore Hassocks. It’s a really beautiful village that’s great for rambling and a stones throw away from Ditchling; famous for its typographic history and the wonderful Art & Craft Museum.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

One of my favourite experiences of CS actually comes from just meeting people for coffee. When I moved to different countries on my own it was incredibly isolating and it was through CS that I found some truly great friends and communities to participate in.

Interests

Politics, social justice, gardening, rambling, art, design

• arts
• literature
• photography
• cocktails
• coffee
• instructor
• socializing
• juggling
• outdoor activities
• kayaking
• sports
• rock climbing

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

In 2006, with 11 of my friends, I went on a two week expedition in Norway. We hiked up the Jostesdalsbreen Glacier for a week and spent the second kayaking down the Sonjefjord. (And I will never forget the incredible view from our long drop toilet on the top of the mountain!)

Teach, Learn, Share

I make a really mean butternut squash risotto which I'm happy to share the recipe for.

I studied and taught photography, so I can help you with most camera problems you might have and if you're UK based I might be able to help you further than that.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, England, France, Germany, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Ireland, Italy, Macao, Malta, Netherlands, Northern Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

France, United Kingdom, United States

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