CURRENT MISSION

In any situation, to ask myself what will make the better story in 10 years time.

ABOUT ME

Various persons have described me thusly:

+ amiably blunt, like a baby rhino
+ a kitten, with the mind of an 800 year old vampire
+ requiring a warning label
+ wretched child (so says my mother)

I describe myself as being a cranky little hermit crab. This profile, like me, is a work in progress. It will change over time.

Vital Statistics:

+ 1981 and as yet unfinished
+ Melbourne, Australia born & bred

I have not explored the world nearly as much as I would like, and like all bitten by wanderlust am doing my best to rectify that. The end of October 2011 saw me leave my job and my home. Iâ

PHILOSOPHY

Life has no purpose, so you may as well lay down and die.

Or;

Life has nor purpose, so you may as well go out and live.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

Actually, I have no idea as yet, this being my first foray on CouchSurfing.

I'll be flying solo while in Europe, and partners in crime would be most welcome, for exploring, chilling, experimenting, chatting, and hinjinx.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

Meeting others for a drink and meal, just getting the lie of the land so to speak. People are, it must be said, lovely.

Interests

Writing has informed every aspect of my life. Every new experience, all knowledge, is grist for the mill. I'm curious about all things.

BUT, to get down to the nitty gritty - literature, gruesome history, strange beasts, ordinary monsters, tough prickly plants, ships and seas, interesting little alleyways, a good cup of tea, the secrets of your heart, the absurd, the surreal, the mundane things that are simple and stunning, extraordinary feats and talents, humbling works of art.

We will never know all there is to know, and I seek to surprise myself regularly.

• dogs
• arts
• writing
• literature
• drinking
• flying
• hiking
• history
• statistics
• tourism

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

I have hiked around Mt Kailash in Western Tibet, a 3 day kora that started at 4km altitude and involved a mountain pass at 5.6km altitude. It was brilliant, grueling, exhilerating, crushing, invigorating and devastating all at once.

Pilgrims Buddhist and Bön alike greeted me on the path, tashi dalek, and stray dogs trotted around the holy rocks and noodle tents. A Nepalese guide saw me hiking alone, and asked if I was okay. Then he asked if I was 16. (I wasn't.)

I saw a single bird at the top of Drolma-la.

There is no place in the world like Tibet.

Teach, Learn, Share

If you're going hiking, check when the sun is going to set. Take a torch even if you're hiking in the Antarctic summer.

Countries I’ve Visited

Argentina, Chile, China, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal, United States

Countries I’ve Lived In

Australia, Iceland, United Kingdom