My name is Nichole, but most call me Nikki... I'll leave that up to you - I answer to both!

I live at home in a little pocket of countryside in Kent, midway between Maidstone and Rochester, on my own now since my grown up children have left home... my son to live off grid in the woods and my daughter to study at university.

I work at my local pottery in Aylesford, teaching beginners and running kids and family activities... as well as making my own ceramics! I've participated in a number of joint exhibitions with the view to having one all to myself one day!

I'm also one half of the Doolally Lovelies facepainters - a small affair but a huge amount of fun when we do it!

I love music, festivals, the arts and meeting new people... and travelling. It's a long time since I last travelled freely for any length of time (a couple of Europe Interrailing trips in my late teens) and I've caught the travel bug again... so when I can... I'm off!!!

Why I’m on Couchsurfing

I came across the couchsurfing website reading an article about travelling solo in Iceland and think it's a fantastic idea!

I'm no big earner (happily!) so low budget travel is where I'm at.

The overriding thing that attracts me however, is the fact that it gives rise to opportunities to meet, even if only briefly, new people who share a travelling interest at the very least. I suspect that most people on here are open-minded, hospitable and interesting by the very nature of the way the whole thing works.

That is why I'm on here!

Interests

• music festivals
• music
• live music
• food
• nature
• ceramics

Music, Movies, and Books

Music - so much to choose from! I have mixed tastes - am an avid BBC 6 Music listener and enjoy hearing new music. I really don't know where to start listing artists... such an appreciation for the vast majority of styles. With exceptions! - churned out pop, rock (although can enjoy a bit of prog) and more.

Movies? ... again... how do you whittle this down!? I'm not good at repeat watching films even if I love them... I much prefer something new. One of my most recent favourites (which actually, I did rewatch!) is Untouchables (french film). Other favourites include Mary & Max, Requiem for a Dream and a sea of documentaries. Also, I'm rarely anything less than highly entertained by Jean-Pierre Jeunet films and like to seek out good foreign creations... like Barfi.

Books - I always wish a read more. I've a pile to get through but A Fine Balance, The Book Thief, Of Mice & Men, dictionaries and thesauruses (thesauri!?) spring to mind as read, memorable and enjoyed.

One Amazing Thing I’ve Done

Witnessed the birth of a friend's baby. Amazing.

What I Can Share with Hosts

Conversation, food and drink.

Countries I’ve Visited

Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Northern Ireland, Switzerland, Turkey, United States, Wales