ParadiseCalling (53) from Surrey

I live in paradise on the river Thames and have great friends and a good income. I can’t complain, but sometimes it would be nice to have one special person to share it all with.

I would describe myself as honest and caring, confident but not arrogant, comfortable in my own skin. I am slim and fit and can look stylish in jeans, a business suit, a swimsuit or an evening dress, and I love wearing all four (but hey not all at once) and going to the occasions they call for. I love entertaining and throwing parties large and small, and attending them, going up to London sometimes for a play or night out, and most of all the simple things, at home alone reading and pottering in my garden which I have to say is beautiful, or floating down the Thames on my boat with a good companion and a bottle of this or that. I like cultural pursuits as well, London, theatre, galleries, restaurants etc.

I am affectionate and supportive and would love to share dreams, struggles, passions and interests with a like minded person. I am a natural optimist and like having a laugh, choosing to make life fun.

I am sensitive, loving and caring, very loyal to friends and lovers, still friends with my ex’s. Trust and respect are important values to me. I was married for twenty years and have been single for three, dating and friendships during that time but nothing serious. Although independent with my own successful consultancy business which I love, I value my leisure interests so allow for lots of time off to relax, have fun and travel.

I was in the media for 20 years prior to my current business consultancy which serves international corporations. Also I am studying for a doctorate so my friends vary through media, business, creative and academic people. Some go back a long way (school even) and others are brand new. I love writing, am published, and am a good listener (honest!)

I have no interest in competitive sport (although love swimming, walking, skiing and boating) but am comfortable in a relationship where we each do our own thing for some of the time – opposites attract and I value what someone with different interests brings to the table.

I like children and love dogs, although having none of either myself.

My photos are recent but I think what attractiveness I have comes out more in personality more than in the pictures. I am regarded as pretty I think I can honestly say. It does sound arrogant but I guess if you are reading this you need to know!

Looking back at past relationships, I don't think I would have picked many of them on a dating site. So one tries to be open minded. I like attractive people, though this is more about personal magnetism and likeability than actual looks. I like people who are well groomed in the sense that they look after their teeth, health, are clean, fit and care that they look good in what they wear to some extent.

Elements that come to mind are creativity, someone with a good financial standing like myself, roughly the same age, someone with a good circle of friends who can get on with all types of people, someone who will like boating with me and enjoys coastal walks, both simple restaurants and posh ones, and it would be a joy to find someone with dogs.

Then I look back at history and none of these things were particularly relevant - I guess we would just know!

The non-negotiable things are the values - loyalty, honesty, integrity, respect and friendship. They are essential in friends or lovers. I have a wide social circle and always interested in expanding it with interesting, like minded people, whether or not that leads to romance, so if you think we have something in common, get in touch!