bordersappeal (60) from Cumbria

I was an expat of 20 years, having lived in many countries. I'm lucky to live in a very rural area. I am often busy with my two children, both in 2nd.year at Uni. My way of life has revolved around them and also designing, converting barns and being a landlady, also a landlady of unruly and very demanding students. The house they are in has presented me with many problems. I'm an ex-teacher of many years and I have been a full time lone parent for 15 years. I travel to France a great deal to my house and to see friends. I am most interested in self-sufficiency, such as solar technology, and also I dislike waste and litter, so recycle what I can. I'm fairly active and like walking, swimming, kayaking, cycling and have done more adventurous things like paragliding and windsurfing in the past. I enjoy live concerts which have good orchestras or bands and I get a lot out of classical music. I sing in a good choir during the Spring/summer, and have played the violin, or try to, in a local orchestra! I have enjoyed yoga and other pursuits such as camping/ caravanning though it's a while since I did these and I hope to remedy this soon. I tend to stick to a goal, having a vision and being able to work towards it through many problems. A sense of humour and sensitivity to others is important. In the past I have been involved in an Oxfam/ Rwanda trip, walked the Inca Trail, climbed Kilimanjaro, visited the Great Wall of China, a long time ago. I live in the Borders, near to the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall, and the lovely city of Carlisle.

Sometimes I just want peace and to listen to the countryside, to let my thoughts wander, to slow down the hurley-burley of life and to take stock. I love to just relax in the steam room. I'd like to walk and talk, communicate. I love the seasons, though the sun being out at any time of year is a terrific bonus as we have far too much rain here. I'm a life member of English Heritage and the National Trust and would like to be able to get to more of their venues, a good place to meet up! Actually I'm not much of a drinker at all, very rarely drink. I do care about what I eat, it's got to be healthy!