Hi there.

Aboutmeaboutme.... Hmm, I am generally an easygoing spirit. More prone to grumpiness when tired. I have a sarcastic and dry sense of humour.

In social settings, I am more of a one-on-one conversationalist. I am happy observer when in groups, as following conversations gets difficult in these settings. Being hearing-impaired has probably influenced this.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I'm on Couchsurfing because I believe it's a really nice way of engaging with the places you are visiting, and meeting people who simply want to help out or share their love for their home. It's nice to see things like Couchsurfing, Airbnb, hitch-hiking etc. exist and thrive on an honesty economy and old-fashioned practices of hospitality (but, thanks to modern technology, on a global basis!), and I'd love to contribute to that as a traveller and hopefully, one day, as a host.

Interests

I'm a big dabbler, but I'd say at the moment, I especially love being more involved with my music hobbies again, riding and taking care of my bike, making beer, going climbing; generally activities involving being active.

I love playing music more than listening to it, I think. It runs in my family, and I've been musical since I was a little 'un. So if any hosts want a fellow guitarist/ukuleleist/pianist/drummer/terrible singer to jam with, I'm definitely up for that. Busking (if allowed) is a definite!

Outdoor activities mostly include gardening, walking, and cycling, courtesy of the Peak District near Sheffield (look it up, it's beautiful), and growing up in a town (don't look it up) with nearby rural landscapes and woods.

I started practicing meditation fairly regularly about 2 years ago, and keep it up because I've found it really helpful with... well, anything. It has been sporadic of late, but I have good intentions! If any hosts are interested in meditating with me, I'd really appreciate that. I'm also interested in but know very little yoga, so same goes for those who like to share their yoga practice.

• cooking
• yoga
• working out
• meditation
• walking
• gardening
• socializing
• homebrewing
• music
• outdoor activities
• cycling
• hiking
• rock climbing
• hitchhiking

Music, Movies, and Books

Ooooh let's see...

MUSIC
Anything with Afro-Cuban rhythms, Fatoumata Diawara, Kaki King, Elliott Smith, Fruit Bats, Blind Pilot, Arcade Fire, David Bowie, Rodrigo y Gabriela, 17 Hippies, Django Reinhardt, Sigur Ros, Ólöf Arnalds, Kings of Convenience, Reggae Greats Vol 2, Easy Star-All Star, and on days where shameless yelling and whining is needed, Tegan & Sara...

FILM
Coen Brothers, Wes Anderson, Louis Theroux documentaries.
Particular favourites: I Capture the Castle, American Beauty, Shortbus, Samsara, Ghost World, O Brother Where Art Thou?, What's Eating Gilbert Grape?, Frances Ha, Fried Green Tomatoes, Boyhood, We Are The Best!...

BOOKS
Particular books: 'Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance' by Robert Pirsig, 'Island', by Aldous Huxley, 'The Wisdom of Insecurity' by Alan Watts, and 'The Ethical Slut' by Dossie Easton and Janet Hardy.

But I generally love the following authors: Ali Smith, Kingsley Amis, Bill Bryson, Jeanette Winterson, Sam Harris, Jane Austen, Jack Kerouac...

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Hmmm, I'd have to say that going on busking holidays as the guitarist of a gypsy cover band is bloody great fun. We stayed with wonderful couchsurfers and seemed to make a positive impression on a day of several people's lives when we performed.

Teach, Learn, Share

"It is obvious that the only interesting people are interested people, and to be completely interested is to have forgotten about 'I'."

Alan Watts, 'The Wisdom of Insecurity'.

I like Alan, he's got some common sense.

What I Can Share with Hosts

As I said, it would be great to talk, play music, meditate, and go walking together. I am also excellent at washing up dishes and being an assistant cook.

Countries I’ve Visited

Belgium, Canada, Croatia, France, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, Spain, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

United Kingdom