Alocin07

About Me

Newbie to swap-bot, participated in 2 swaps so far (1 email/1 posted), awaiting first ratings.

I’m a wife and mother living in the South of England. I don’t have a massive list of what I would call hobbies but do have a lot of interests. I love learning and willing to try new things…except anything that involves heights, I really hate heights! Vegetarian in a family of meat eaters so happy to prep meals of any foods simply I don’t like meat, never have done and was told off as a child for being fussy, they have long since accepted it clearly wasn’t a phase. Trained as a nurse, allergic to animals so no pets and love afternoon tea and spa days. Favourite foods include Mexican & Indian flavours as well as drinking tea, hot chocolate and cheesecake! I am introverted, quiet and caring but a chatterbox on paper.

Hobbies

Paper Crafts - Firstly, I have been a penpal all my life, my first penpal I am still in contact with and have travelled to see many times. Growing up on paper together is precious. I love stationery, paper, washi, pens, stickers. Letters are long and chatty and can include mail tags or similar, open to flipbooks, pocket letters and other papery based swaps etc. Mainly, I l just love writing a letter so always happy to find a new penpal.

Cookery/Baking - I love to cook and bake, the family love to eat so it’s a good combination though I can’t resist the breads or cookies so tend to also always be dieting. I am vegetarian and love a recipe that packs a punch, dull/bland food is not me. Spice it up with flavours from India to Mexico and anywhere in-between. Always up for a recipe exchange.

History - I love history and places of historic interest. I love to visit castles and stately homes.

Nature - Being outside in nature enjoying the quiet is amazing. I can walk for miles in a pretty setting, woodlands or the coast, no real preference just enjoy the serenity. Recently did a yoga course in the local forest, 8 week of gentle movement with mindfulness thrown in, very grounding, mentally uplifting soul nourishing.

Reading - It won’t come as a surprise that I love historical fiction. Authors such as Elizabeth Chadwick, Tracy Borman, Philippa Gregory (though not the most recent trilogy, that was dull unlike her others) and Alison Weir. I will give any book a go but not horror/spooky types. I’ve done two book swaps this year and received two I wouldn’t have picked up but really did enjoy and have since borrowed 4 from the library that were best sellers or prize winners to widen the circle of what I normally go do. Love a paper book rather than Kindle but that is handy for taking multiple books on a holiday.

Travel - Fortunate to have travelled far and wide but Venice still stops my list of favourites. Loved the pacific northwest of Vancover and Washington/Oregon states and the ‘western-east’ of Singapore. Next stop is the Norwegian Fjords followed by Japan. Love trying local dishes, culture and always make the effort to learn at least the basics and simple phrases etc in the local language, making the effort goes a long way.

Miscellaneous - Taking photos, making lists, painting pebbles, volunteering (Scouts & Duke of Edinburgh awards), pastoral heart so love caring for others. Making memories means more than material goods, time is precious and you learn that more than ever in nursing. Guilty confession is Pokemon Go, sounds geeky but got into that with my son when he was little and again gets us out and about exploring. Happy to exchange swaps domestically and international.