CURRENT MISSION

To see places the way the locals see them

ABOUT ME

I grew up on a farm outside Manchester in the UK, and have seen much of Europe with my family. After three great years studying at university in the UK, I was lucky enough to land a job that has taken me around the world. For twelve months I lived in London, before moving to New York for a year, and then on to Melbourne, Australia. I've lived in Melbourne for almost two years now, and love it here. I live in a small sharehouse with three chickens in the backyard, and a thirty minute cycle to the city, but I'm only just beginning to explore this side of the world. Before I leave, I'd love to travel more in Asia - an amazing continent that I have seen so little of.

PHILOSOPHY

Keep an open mind and an open heart. Keep learning.
Remember: 'being kind is harder than being clever'.

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

HOW I PARTICIPATE IN COUCHSURFING

I'm brand new to couchsurfing, having only come across it recently, but I love the idea. I have an upcoming trip to Tokyo and Kyoto when I would love to try it out and to meet some local people who could help me get under the skin of Japan. Then when I get back, i'd like to host people here in Melbourne, and to show them what I love about this city.

COUCHSURFING EXPERIENCE

I haven't really used couchsurfing before, but I've long believed that the best way to travel is to meet and stay with local people. I remember touring South Africa with my school years ago, staying with local families and creeping out to bars when the parents had gone to bed. I also remember travelling through Sweden a few years ago, being met in Stockholm by a friend of a friend of a friend, and spending the next few days eating crayfish and kayaking round the islands - things that never would have happened at a hotel.

Interests

As far as sports go, I'm a rugby fan, and I'm looking forward to seeing what rugby in Japan is like, since I know it is a growing sport.

At the moment I spend a lot of my time running something called Laneway Learning - http://www.lanewaylearning.com/. For the last few months, we've hosted 'cheap fun classes in anything and everything' each week in Melbourne, from Beekeeping to Economics to Steampunk. We've held about 60 different ones now and about 800 people have come along to learn. We are always looking for new teachers!

• chickens
• running
• traveling
• cycling
• kayaking
• camping
• sports
• rugby
• economics
• mathematics
• mountains

Music, Movies, and Books

I find new music through Guy Garvey on BBC Six Music, which I'd humbly suggest is the best radio station in the world.

As far as films go, I tend to love anything by the Coen brothers & Wes Anderson, and I'm particularly looking forward to Django Unchained.

I read whenever I get a chance, which recently hasn't been enough. The last thing I read was Lionel Asbo by Martin Amis, and the last thing I loved was Kafka By The Shore, by Murakami.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

My best travelling experience was cycling from Copenhagen in Denmark to Stockholm in Sweden. It took us about ten days to go the 1,000 km, but along the way we saw every side of Sweden - from Moose in the mountains, to small town country fairs. The best thing was that we never really knew where we were going to pitch camp each day, and we were free to go which ever way the wind blew.

Teach, Learn, Share

Anyone who visits Melbourne on a Tuesday evening is welcome to teach a class at Laneway Learning! My own teaching experience is at the geekier end of things - maths and cryptic crosswords - but I'd be more than happy to pass on those skills to others.

I'm currently trying to teach myself the very basics of Japanese and when I come to Japan in November, I'd love to meet someone patient who could help me get a bit better.