Well, I’m not entirely sure what to put here without it all sounding like a cheesy dating profile…

I guess the purpose of this page is to tell people a bit about me that may not already know me. This site is primarily for family and friends to keep track of my travels but maybe I’ll meet people along the way who might be interested in seeing how I get on. I’ve decided not to use Facebook because I don’t like the idea of my posts dropping into peoples timelines showing how amazing my travels are, it all seems a bit gloaty to me when everyone else is working hard and I’m swanning about. I’ve also never really bothered with Twitter/X and I’m kind of glad I haven’t – imagine having all of your personal thoughts and stories tied up on that maniacal lunatic’s platform!?

Anyway, I live in Hull in the UK, now mid-50’s having spent over 20 years working hard (too hard!) in university management and administration. Having had my first South American adventure cut short by the world outbreak of Covid – details elsewhere on this site – I’ve decided to try to finish off the northern part of that trip.

I’m a music lover and would be lost without it. For the most part this involves listening and dancing to the amazing 60’s and 70’s. Northern Soul, Funk, 60’s R&B, Ska, Reggae all feature heavily. I can often be found dancing at various Soul do’s and love going to gigs for live music when I can. Since first travelling through South America I have also gained a taste for Latin beats, something I hope to hear more of on my latest trip.

Here’s some of my favourite Mixcloud artists:

• Kieran Lockyear
• Gail Smith
• Duncan Hornby
• DJ Cal Jader
• Martyn Bird

I also spend a lot of time listening to the brilliant BBC offering – BBC Sounds – worth the license fee alone! The shows I regularly tune into are:

• Craig Charles (Funk and Soul Show)
• Gilles Peterson
• Cerys Matthews

Other passions include Rugby League (Canberra Raiders and *groan* Hull FC), European city breaks, hat wearing, sailing, my dogs Rugby and Stan, motorbike riding (of course). Most of all, I love going out for a few drinks, or a few too many, and having a laugh with friends, old and new.

I take an interest in current affairs and have views on most things. I’m definitely strongly in favour of equality, human rights, personal choice and responsibility, direct democracy and representation and feel that the state has some responsibility to deliver and maintain these goals. However, I feel that the current major party and electoral system in the UK does nothing for any of this (see Electoral Reform Society for more).