joiedevivre (53) from Derbyshire

I'd say I'm a positive, confident and affectionate person. I'm also very loyal; my family and friends are important to me and I'll always make time for them. I enjoy good conversation, debate, banter and silliness, but am also happy with my own company when I choose. I'm straight-talking, practical and enjoy challenges....I don't give in easily!

Love nature, wildlife and the outdoors; I particularly like walking in the Peak District and go as often as I can with friends. I'd like to do more, but it's not much fun by yourself. I also love gardening (currently digging up my lawn) and go to the gym a couple of times a week. I enjoy dancing too (jive/ceroc/salsa), but not expecting it of you, don't fret!

Right, well that's all the active stuff. You might be relieved to know that I do like to sit still occasionally! I'm a bit of a sucker for well-written crime fiction, crosswords, any kind of word puzzles in fact, general knowledge quizzes...you get the idea. Language and words are the tools of my trade.

Love the Arts; films are a passion (especially the independent ones). Almodovar, Jeunet, Besson, Coppola and Lynch are some of my favourite directors. I'm not a fan of Hollywood blockbusters, animation or anything from the Richard Curtis stable. Love visiting art galleries (currently trying to get tickets for Hockney's Bigger Picture at the RA) and am interested in architecture. Have to confess though that I really can't get excited about the theatre, be it Shaw or a show......perhaps you could convince me otherwise?

Done a fair amount of travelling, but would like to do much more. Prefer adventure/discovery/cultural type holidays to 2 weeks by a pool. Cruises and all-in-ones really aren't my thing. I'm just starting to think about the summer and planning to spend 3 weeks travelling by myself around Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

More things I like: Mediterranean food, the coast, Keats, OS maps, Radio 4, picnics, France, star gazing, seafood, the smell of my dad's shed.
Some I don't: James Bond films, europhobes, stickers on fruit, gloating and sneering.

I have never: eaten at MacDonald's, seen a Star Wars film, been on a package tour, cooked a joint of meat, been to the ballet.

Top turn ons? Wit, articulacy, strong arms, compassion, a sense of adventure, an enquiring mind.

Being comfortable in your own skin without complacency, and confident without feeling the need to point score are right up there too.

I'm looking for friendship initially, then let's take it from there. Someone to share good food, wine and good times with. I have a demanding job, but would want to be able to see someone fairly regularly, so distance is a consideration. I'm happy to chat and exchange a few messages, but believe in meeting up sooner rather than later so that we can both gauge whether that elusive spark is there. I also like to know upfront if it isn't. I reckon it's much better to know than to be left trying to second guess. I'm not one for melodrama or recriminations - life's too short!

A quick heads-up: if you're a smoker, game-player or needy, I'm not the one for you.

Still here and interested? So why not take the next step and drop me a line?