readyforrecycling (66) from Ceredigion

I'm pretty sure (or blissfully deluded) about the following: Mischievous but kind sense of humour with a fiercely enquiring mind; mad about Music and The Arts. Bit loquacious but a good listener. Love serious and silly discussion. Although I tend to be objective in approaching the actualities of life (scientist -eg. a bit bossy in the kitchen), I'm romantic, passionate and sentimental to some extreme. I know everyone says this, but I am! - I Really Am!

I have a passion (read insatiable hunger?) for music, the arts and things sentient. Mainly classical and opera (couldn't live without them); also jazz , but also some popular stuff (romantic songs, folk). I love art and sculpture (no good at them though) and really enjoy visiting galleries and museums at any opportunity. I read a lot, I love poetry, good films, R3&R4, architecture; watch an average amount of telly (not rubbish) and hate soaps. I like walking, photography, swimming and I generally keep fit. I admit to being very keen on rugby (Welsh you see, boyo). Other activities that I enjoy seem to have gone dormant for the moment. I like eating out and entertaining at home (bit rusty now but I like cooking, albeit abstract expressionist style ). I'm sorry but I can't stand football and am not really a dog lover. My beard is detachable for the right person.

I lost my lovely wife six years ago and I long to be in love and to be loved again. I know the following thoughts sound a bit tawdry but I want to fall asleep at night with the one I love, and come the morning waken her with a kiss (and, of course, a cup of tea). To share breakfast and decide a day, a weekend, a holiday. To argue about God, contemporary art or who makes the best baked beans. Someone to laugh with, and when necessary to share tears. It is simply not nice watching that mile off moon without a hand to hold, or reflecting on an incredible work of art without sharing pleasure, or listening to unaccompanied Bach - unaccompanied; or reading Pablo Neruda to no-one. Just not nice.

You are loving and kind; you are tactile, and have warmth and good humour in your soul. Importantly for me, you are intelligent with an enquiring mind. Sophisticated and with style when appropriate but intrinsically down-to-earth and homely. Like me you are committed and utterly loyal. Am I shallow to wish that you are tallish and attractive? [Move over Pygmalion - It does say 'My Ideal Match' after all.]

We'd have lots of shared interests, and some different ones. But Music and the Arts would be mutual passions. They, as well as unashamed hedonism, will take us to many places; cities, concerts, galleries, history, beautiful countryside. I'm more a UK and Europe sort of guy but forays further afield are definitely on. It would also be good to add in some altruisic acivities?

Someone who is great fun to be with (laughter and silliness are a must) and who likes a reasonably active but also easy going lifestyle (Miss Hyperactive - world adventuress and bungee jumper is not my cup of tea), including walking would be good - whether 'rucksack-on-my-back' sort, or just ambling around with 'time to stand and stare'. But someone who also enjoys being at home messing about doing ordinary things including a bit of cuddling up and lolling about with the papers or a good film. Eating out and entertaining would be essential ingredients. I'm quite easily dragged into a pub if there's proper beer.

Someone who will express her independence --two lives and personalities can't just be fused together as they could have been in our twenties, can they. Going off and doing our own things would be normal. But I don't just want an intimate friend with whom to share holidays and weekends out of a suitcase. Would we soon see if we could fall in love, to spend our lives together? - Wherever that might be -maybe in a couple of locations? I live on a harbour's edge - it's lovely around here - but living nearer to galleries, concert halls, airports is an attractive proposition for me. I'm not rooted to the earth for the one I will love.