In His Own Words
About him
"We are like books. Most people only see our cover, the minority read only the introduction, many people believe the critics. Few will know our content."
-- Emile Zola
You have to get to know someone and be prepared to be surprised – and always to accept people for who they are, not comparing to a checklist of requirements or a stereotype. As Zola said, we need to read beyond the cover.
I can not live without the arts – music, theatre, opera, ballet, musicals, galleries, cinema etc etc etc. Absolute favourite things recently: Hamilton (surprise, didn't expect to like it so much), Follies (actually any Sondheim), Sunset Boulevard at ENO, David Tennant in Richard II, any Chekov and, and so many more, could live in a theatre …
Travel is a must for me, so many places still to see, and to go back to again, but it's no fun to do alone. A dream would be to see opera or ballet in some of the great European cities – and there is a beautiful little opera house in Bordeaux I want to go back to, but not alone. Another long meandering trip through France, into Spain in my Alfa Spider with the roof open all the way (longing to take Spider back to her roots in Italy one day) …
I am an active amateur musician, but a partner doesn't need to be; having independence and lives of our own is important I think. I have seen couples who seem to be 'joined at the hip' and that doesn't seem right – much better to lives of our own and come together to talk about our day.
I try to cycle around 45 to 50 miles a week just for fitness and lots of walking, but not an active sport participant, used to be quite handy at badminton and would like to revive that. A long walk or cycle with a nice country pub in the middle would be perfect.
I am retired from long career in IT, but not happy without work, so I am training in editing and proofreading with a view to flexible part-time work that I can fit around travelling etc.
I love cooking - for two (and eating!), would be delighted to have someone to share that with.
About his ideal match
Very hard to say – the checklists of hight, age, eye colour etc are meaningless – you only know when you meet if you could be good together. Sincerity is essential, no playing games or holding back in a relationship. An arms-length relationship that is going so far and no more doesn't work for me. I need someone who will tell me if they are worried or have a problem, never just tell me what they think I want to hear.
I would like to share theatre visits, concerts etc (anything cultural). Travel is essential for me – wandering round European city streets, particularly love Greece, France, Portugal, Spain, Italy (not forgetting London!) – actually pretty much anywhere that has good food, good coffee and history.
(September: now enjoying a week in my favourite part of Crete - just had to get away for some part of this difficult socially distanced summer! Beautiful, but so wish I didn't have to do it alone!).
Intelligent conversation is also essential, the subject doesn't really matter – just an active and interested mind to agree or disagree with at great length!
I am also a 'one-thing-at-a-time' person (classic male, can't multi-task I hear you say …) so not interested in multiple casual relationships.
What His Friends Say
AlwaysOptimistic hasn't asked any friends to write a recommendation yet.
About him
Country of origin: |
United Kingdom | |
Location: |
Winchester, Hampshire, England | |
Gender: |
Male | |
Age: |
69 | |
Star sign: |
Sagittarius | |
Height: |
5' 7" (170cm) | |
Body type: |
A few extra pounds | |
Looks: |
Ask me later | |
Hair colour: |
Greying | |
Eye colour: |
Blue | |
Relationship Status: |
Divorced | |
Looking for: |
Activity partners; Let's see what happens; A long-term relationship; Marriage | |
Have children: |
Yes, not living with me | |
Want children: |
No | |
Daily diet: |
Eat most things | |
Smoking: |
Never | |
Drinking: |
Several times a week | |
Education: |
University | |
Occupation: |
Arts / Music / Writing | |
Income: |
Comfortable | |
Ethnicity: |
White/Caucasian | |
Home language: |
English | |
Other languages: |
French | |
Religion: |
Atheist |
About his ideal match
Country of origin: |
Anywhere in the World | ||
Location: |
Within 40 miles of postcode district SO23 (Winchester) | ||
Gender: |
Female | ||
Age range: |
50 - 63 | ||
Star sign: |
Any | ||
Height: |
4' 7" (140cm) or shorter - 5' 7" (171cm) | ||
Body type: |
Slim; Average; Curvaceous | ||
Looks: |
Very Attractive; Above Average; Average; Attractive | ||
Hair colour: |
Blonde; Dark Blonde; Light Brown; Dark Brown; Auburn; Red; Black; Changes Often | ||
Eye colour: |
Any | ||
Has a photo: |
Non-negotiable | ||
Relationship Status: |
Single; Separated; Divorced; Widowed | ||
Have children: |
No; Yes, not living with me; Yes, living with me sometimes | ||
Want children: |
No | ||
Daily diet: |
Any | ||
Smoking: |
Never | ||
Drinking: |
Any | ||
Education: |
Further education; University; Postgraduate; Private school | ||
Occupation: |
Any | ||
Income: |
Enough; Comfortable; Wealthy | ||
Ethnicity: |
Any | ||
Home language: |
Any | ||
Other languages: |
Any | ||
Religion: |
Any |
- Not important at all
- Slightly important
- Moderately important
- Decidedly important
- Non-negotiable
More about him
Sense of humour: |
Irreverent |
Intelligence: |
Intelligent |
Ruled by: |
The heart |
Party behaviour: |
An average mingler |
Personality traits: |
Easygoing; Faithful; Funny; Generous; Happy; Independent; Intelligent; Loving; Loyal; Optimistic; Philosophical; Shy; Stable; Thoughtful; Trustworthy |
Valued qualities: |
Chemistry; Compassion; Faithfulness; Forgiveness; Friendliness; Honesty; Humour; Kindness; Sexiness; Tolerance |
Fashion sense: |
Casual (I'm usually in my favourite jeans) |
Favourite clothing: |
My trusty pair of jeans |
Is the glass half full or half empty: |
Depends what's in it |
Hair style: |
Disappearing |
Eyesight: |
I wear contacts |
Facial hair: |
None |
Body art: |
I don't have any |
Date activities: |
A movie; A music concert; A picnic in a park; Dinner at a restaurant; Going to the theatre; Meeting for coffee; Meeting for drinks; Going for a walk; Visiting a gallery; Going to a museum |
Music preferences: |
Blues; Broadway / Theatrical; Classical; Folk; Instrumental; Jazz; Opera; R&B / Soul; Rock; Scottish |
Reading: |
I read books regularly; I read newspapers regularly |
Books: |
(Auto)biographies; Crime; Fiction; History; Non-fiction; Sci-Fi; Science / Technology; Travel |
TV habits: |
I watch television most days |
TV programmes: |
Action / Adventure; Comedy / Sit-coms; Cooking / Baking; Documentaries; Dramas; Movie Channels; News; Sci-Fi; Sport; Talk shows; Variety shows |
Movie frequency: |
Once or twice a month |
Movie preferences: |
Action; Art Films; Comedy; Cult Classics; Documentary; Drama; Independent; Sci-Fi; Westerns |
Interests: |
Cooking; Internet; Music; Politics; Reading; The arts |
Sport involvement: |
Watching from the couch |
Sports: |
Cycling; Football (Soccer); Rugby; Tennis |
Cooking: |
I love it! |
Food: |
Asian Fusion; Chinese; French; Gastro Pub; Greek; Indian; Italian; Pub Grub; Seafood; Thai |
Go Out to Eat: |
I eat out a few times a month |
Dietary Restrictions: |
I have none |
Pace of Life: |
Go with the flow |
Time at work: |
I work part-time |
Pastimes of choice: |
Pursuing a hobby |
Time online: |
I'm on several hours a day |
Family size: |
I've got brothers |
Family contact: |
I rarely see them |
Relationship Type: |
I'm just plain single |
Willing to Relocate: |
I'd consider it |
Animals: |
I like animals |
Pets (Like): |
Cat(s); Dog(s); Horse(s) |
Pets (Dislike): |
Exotic pet(s); Reptile(s); Rodent(s) |
Turn-ons: |
Flirting; Intelligence; Showing affection in public; Skinny dipping |
Turn-offs: |
Assertiveness; Body piercing(s); Erotica; Power; Sarcasm; Tattoo(s); Thrill seeking |
Work aspirations: |
I already have my ideal job |
Religious attendance: |
Only on religious holidays |
Politics: |
Left of centre |
Retirement plans: |
Seeing the world in style |
Feelings about using Encounters Dating: |
Optimistic |
Honesty: |
Extremely |
