| James Gourlay has been vouched for |
| Couch available | Maybe |
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| CouchSurf requests replied to | 83% |
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| member since | April 30th, 2007 |
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| profile views | 753 |
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| age | 31 |
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| birthday | 11 November
Everyone can see this. |
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| gender | Male |
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| membername | TRUFFLEPIG |
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| occupation | Massage Therapist, Cook, Ourdoor Instructor |
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| education | Engineering degree, Architecture Dip, Yoga TTC, Various bodywork schools |
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| grew up in | Swansea, Wales |
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| ethnicity | Celtic |
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| Direct Profile URL |
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Languages Groups I Belong To Swansea 304:808
Why: Wanted to say to other couchsurfers from my town
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Couch Information
Couch Available: Maybe
Preferred Gender: Any
Smoking allowed
Has children: No
Can host children: Yes
Has pets: No
Can host pets: No
Max Surfers Per Night: 2
Shared Sleeping Surface: No
Shared Room: NoI live in a chalet on the Gower Peninsular in a peaceful holiday park with pool and sauna, surrounded by woodland. Gower is Britain's first area of outstanding natural beauty - and worthy of that title, my place is easy cycling distance of many woodlands, beaches and fishing spot.
I have the place to myself but sometimes have friends staying over. There is a double futon in the living room. I also have a camper van with a comfortable 4' bed in it parked outside - it has a skylight :)
Working for myself I rarely know when I'll be around more than a few days in advance. Weekdays weekends all same to me.
There is a bus-stop nearby and ample parking, I do not smoke tobacco but there is a covered porch and chairs. Its not really a party place - good to unwind or enjoy the company of ducks and rabbits. I have blankets, towels etc. Friends (20)
 Andrew Price
38, Male
Swansea, Swansea
Wales
Friends since January 2007
"we worked together in some of the most extreme environments on earth, overcoming all challenges and attempting to pacify the natives... We've also travelled together and share an interest in good living, freedom, reading, and antiques."
Friendship Type: Close Friend
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 Lydia Beaman
31, Female
Swansea, Swansea
Wales
Friends since May 2006
"We both lived in Swansea and have shared great times together!"
Friendship Type: Close Friend
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 Michelle Dudley
33, Female
Arcata, California
United States
Friends since November 2007
"James stayed at my home, cooked wonderful food from scratch, and brought great energy along with him."
Friendship Type: Best Friend
 30+  7 |
 Emily Walter
34, Female
Arcata, California
United States
Friends since November 2007
"James stayed on our couch, practiced yoga with us and was an exceptional cook!"
Friendship Type: Best Friend
4 |
 Permaculture_fern
35, Female
Apollo Bay, Victoria
Australia
Friends since March 2009
"he contacted me via internet on facebook (from the acroyoga global play site)"
Friendship Type: Close Friend
22 |
 Armin Handler
33, Male
London, London
England
Friends since August 2008
"I met him through CouchSearch and instantly got along with him."
Friendship Type: Good Friend
 1 |
 Toby Maier
24, Male
Passau, Bavaria
Germany
Friends since August 2008
"surfed his couch for a weekend"
Friendship Type: Best Friend
2 |
 Manuela Graf
33, Female
London, London
England
Friends since August 2008
"we spent a lovely weekend together "
Friendship Type: CouchSurfing Friend
1 |
 Kynan Campisi
31, Male
San Jose, California
United States
Friends since February 2007
"Forced him out of retirement in Thailand"
Friendship Type: Good Friend
18 |
 Melanie Scott
32, Female
Brisbane, Queensland
Australia
Friends since January 2008
"cs!"
Friendship Type: CouchSurfing Friend
1 | | |
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Personal DescriptionI love to improvise, to make do and mend and figure things out for myself - even if this means doing things the hard way. In any week I may find myself programming, catering, doing bodywork or teaching in the woods, I find these are complementary. Its the connection between things, people, ideas that fascinate me - the process is more important than the goal. How I Participate in CSI host and meet folks for endless pots of tea, though I've not made it to any group meetings yet.InterestsYoga, Thai Massage, tai chi, improvisational comedy, exploring the natural world. Cooking over the top meals on campfire, and hunting books in charity shops.
Further info about how I got into this www.gourlay.net and www.bodyworkwales.co.uk/biography.htmlPhilosophyWe are responsible for the world we live in, inner and outer. So I try not blame others for the state of things, things are as they are, to not whine when the world in not as promised, to change myself, motivate others and dare to dream.
Everything in moderation, including moderation!Music, Movies, BooksBeat poets, fabulous Hunter S, James Joyce, Orwell, Huxley. Any music made with passion. I collect 1970 How-to books, and especially love the Whole Earth Catalog and books sold through it.Types of People I enjoyare mad to live, mad to talk, mad to be saved, desirous of everything at the same time, the ones who never yawn or say a commonplace things, but burn like fabulous roman candles exploding like spiders across the stars and in the middle you see the blue center light pop and everybody goes "AWWW!
that was Kerouac, I could not agree more. Teach, Learn, ShareI could take somebody on a nature walk in Britains first area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB) & practice hatha yoga at home or on the beach.One Amazing Thing I've Seen or DoneVipassana meditation in India - wow it really is true what they say about becoming what you think about most. Swimming in a crocodile infested lake at 5am was one of the times I've felt most alive in my life.Opinion on the CouchSurfing.org ProjectAt first I feared I would wake to find my pots and pans had been stolen and my house full of nutters.
What happened? I made a network of friends all over the world some incredible adventures, and felt privileged to return some of the hospitality I had received overseas over the years.
A really wonderful project :)Locations TraveledTRAVELED: Argentina, Australia, Cambodia, Canada, China, Cook Islands, France, Gibraltar, India, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, United States, Vietnam
What do these numbers mean?
This summary is not a replacement for reading references; it's a quick summary to help you get started. At a glance, you can see how many references a member has, and how many of them are positive, neutral, and negative.
In the second line, you'll see how many references came from people who hosted this member, surfed with them, and traveled with them. These numbers won't always add up to the total: some references are not categorized, and some may be categorized as more than one thing.
When viewing this summary, don't jump to conclusions! Things that are negative for one person may be positive for another, and vice versa. It's important to read references carefully and evaluate what that information means to you. References (21)21Positive 0Neutral 0Negative
5From Hosts 6From Surfers 3Traveling
 From Kin Choi Llanberis, Wales
Aug 8, 2011  Positive James was very hospitable even when I turned up 2.30am. He's a fountain of knowledge on anything survival skills. He showed what can be eaten and how to trap hare in his local wood. I enjoyed learning from him. He's also a qualified masseur. Make your appointment for a massage! He's a great guy.
 From Lilith Pasztor Berlin, Germany
Jul 18, 2011 Positive James was a wonderful host! He took me foraging at one of the most beautiful beaches I've ever seen. We connected really well and shared some great conversations about travel magic and weird social rules. He's a very insightful, interesting person, and I can only highly recommend meeting him!
 From Sera Rabbett Swansea, Wales
Jun 7, 2011  Positive Met a few times over the years but never properly chatted untill recently and enjoyed our conversation by the firelight very much. He sounds a very interesting character with much travelling under his belt.
 From Karin Joanknecht Vlaardingen, Netherlands
Apr 27, 2011 Positive I met Jim and his friend Dominique in Amsterdam, first in a cute and genuine little delicacy shop totally unknown to me, and later at my place, where the three of us had a fantastic candle-lit dinner prepared by Jim. It was a very tranquil evening, while the conversation just flowed and wound in many different directions. The next morning just continued in the same relaxed manner, sharing experiences and massage techniques. I found Jim to be a very gentle person, who chooses to follow his hearth rather than societies expectations. I hope to keep in touch, and exchange more experiences and inspirations!
 From Dominic Busher Swansea, Wales
Jan 20, 2011  Positive James is a very loving, intelligent, fun and talented being, a beautiful soul. A great learner, teacher and explorer.
 From SOULVOLT Portland, United States
Jul 11, 2009 Positive James found his comfy place in my chaotic moving mess and bubbled with tales and a pure life-participation buzz that was rather contagious. He lent a gracious hand helping me move boxes and always had a song in his heart to share. Many sing-alongs and pleasant comedic moments of escape from my worksome and packsome hours. A very gentle, well-informed and accepting man of the world while also being of another world or two at the same time!
Oh how I did Identify! Thanks Jim.
Fun fun Fun!
 From Wes Mcguire Santa Barbara, United States
Jun 12, 2009 Positive dam nice guy, also makes a great seafood dish.
From Permaculture_fern Apollo Bay, Australia
Apr 4, 2009  Positive Jim is an amazing fellow who can circular breathe, tell great stories, give lovely massages, cook splendid dishes and sing for hours on end. I would've gladly had him stay for longer. You'll miss his array of tunes when he's gone. Thanks Jim for staying on my couch.
From Lydia Beaman Swansea, Wales
Mar 25, 2009 Positive I love Jim! He's great for a banter, he's an incredible chef, and just so lovely lovely.
 From Allan Dunkeld Winnipeg, Canada
Dec 21, 2008 Positive Great chap! chilled out with him at the bodhi guest house in Kampot Cambodia. Many great talks on where were you when...and so on. Hope to run in to this mate again on my travels.
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