I'm a retired mental health worker who lives mostly alone except when my partner visits. I usually spend fine weather windows in the mountains tramping or fixing up remote back-country huts and tracks. When it's raining I try and think of various ways to avoid painting, or head over to Lyttelton to visit my partner. Now that I'm retired I'm exploring ways of becoming more self-sufficient food-wise. Interested in learning how to learn.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm not a new member. I was on Couchsurfing for many years as a host in Christchurch and later Ruatapu. Got pissed off with them putting up a paywall up and for a while. Lost all my profile data and contacts with all the good people I hosted, our shared experiences, and their references. Decided grudgingly to join again, although I still don't think hosts should have to pay to have people stay with them. Love the meetings and connections that are created through the website and being able to help travellers on their journeys. Travel is so much more than pictures on a postcard. It's about our commonality as humans, and our amazing mostly unrealised potential for personal growth that goes beyond diplomas and degrees.

Interests

• photography
• reading
• painting
• music
• guitar
• learning
• climbing
• tramping
• beachcombing

Music, Movies, and Books

Have 20,000 songs on my iTunes. Just about every genre except classic hits. Have a pretty eclectic bookcase but an ass laden with books is still an ass. Come and check it out.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Just getting to the age of 68 in relatively good health with all that I need materially, and some good people in my life, is pretty damn amazing really. Staring with the big bang 13 billion years ago, then my father being sober enough and my mother not being pissed off enough to connect sexually with each other in the latter part of 1956. The odds are almost impossible when you think about it.

Teach, Learn, Share

That's what we're here for. I'm still learning how to learn, but am happy to share the information and ideas I've accumulated. Mental Health, philosophy, knowledge, painting, music, and outdoor skills.

What I Can Share with Hosts

My company, my home, and the magnificent natural environment of the central Southern Alps.

Countries I’ve Visited

Algeria, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Burkina Faso, Croatia, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Mali, Morocco, Netherlands, Niger, Northern Ireland, Norway, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Togo, Wales

Countries I’ve Lived In

Netherlands, New Zealand