In His Own Words
About him
I am a retired journalist and travel writer and long-serving Samaritan volunteer (divorced after a 25 year marriage) now in Bristol but formerly in S. Devon, Wilts and London. Like so many of us here, I do not feel comfortable writing about myself, least of all in a self-promoting manner, but it would be fair to say that some women have found me interesting enough to want to spend time with me.
I am told I have reasonably good social skills, probably thanks to having had well educated, sociable parents and relations and an upbringing on three continents, and having carried out assignments and/or visited more than 80 countries. I grew up in a household of intelligent women – even my grandmother was a corporate executive- and worked in a profession which includes nearly as many women as men and so not surprisingly, I value very highly my friendships with women, who are good listeners as well as good conversationalists. I am more Liberal than left-wing, unconventional in some ways, traditional in others: I like the motto "manners maketh man" and while the early 21st century could hardly be described as an age of elegance, I believe that appearance does matter.
I drink alcohol in moderation,have a fairly healthy diet, do Pilates and enjoy walks of up to 10-12 miles, but I do not kick, hit or chase after balls or spend time watching other people engaged in these activities.
I am a keen theatre-goer but cannot dance/sing and have tended to avoid all environments where the noise level is such that it is hard to maintain a conversation. Classical music, together with the melodious tunes of our parents' and grandparents' generation, are a pleasure, as is Radio 4, and often just silence. Dinner for two or small dinner parties are infinitely preferable to big social events.
I am reserved in public but tactile in private and romantic by nature. I no longer have great ambitions and am quite self-sufficient, but it would be wonderful to share my life with a kindred spirit.
About his ideal match
If you are English, you have no regional accent and had well-educated parents and other adult role models growing up. If you are a mother, your children are now adults and at least on their way to being independent if not already settled. You have empathy and charm; you're easy-going, non-confrontational and non-judgmental: Alphas should look elsewhere! Hopefully, you're also articulate, witty, funny, romantic and sensual and don't take life too seriously! Having not been weaned on text messaging and Facebook, writing real English sentences is more of a pleasure than a challenge. It would be difficult for me to be with a woman who objects to my belief that this short life we have is not a dress rehearsal, but all there is (even if she herself is more spiritual than I). We all bring "baggage" with us into middle age and beyond but I am very wary of potential partners whose backgrounds were deeply troubled by bad parenting and unhealthy relationships in their formative years who have not been able or prepared to analyse what effects these have had on their adult relationships and move forward.
If the sun is your enemy then we are really not even at the starting gate (I love beaches and warm sea): I accept that women who have jobs cannot spend as much time away in the winter as I but it would be lovely to have female company in my regular haunts in the tropics and explore others but unfortunately, on a tight budget ( developing countries are obviously preferred). Spanish speakers also get bonus points (I need help with mine). I am very pro-European so I hope you voted to Remain in the EU!
I think astrology is nonsense but I do believe that the Enneagram personality types that make up the human race (Google this if you're not familiar with it as it is worth exploring) do exist. I am, for my sins, a 6 with a 7 wing. Sadly for me, there are lovely women out there whose Enneagram personality type is not compatible with mine, beyond that of a platonic friendship
What His Friends Say
Malcolm said...
:I have know Richard for fifteen years. We met when as journalist for a UK national daily, he came to Bocas del Toro, Panama to interview UK expats living in what was about to become a tourist hot spot. Since then I have often stayed at his home for a few days on my annual visit to the UK and have travelled with him in South India and twice attended an Ayuveridic clinic at the same time as he did. I reckon i know him pretty well and although I am a generation older than him, I count him as a very good friend, entertaining and full of good common sense.
Richard is a person who listens to every word you say. He is a conversationalist who doesn't take time to sing his own praises. He considers what you say without prejudice and doesn't expect you to always agree with his responses. He is a very easy person to spend time with.
Having travelled much of the world as a journalist, Richard is an excellent traveling companion with knowledge where to find the find the unspoiled beaches and the small cafe serving the most delicious delicacies. He makes travel an adventure without the risks that accompany the novice traveller when traveling the less travelled roads.
He recently bought a house in Bristol with a delightful garden and professional and academic neighbours who have welcomed him to their community. My stay there is summer was delightful and especially so because since becoming single again he has mastered many gourmet dishes. His custom is to have a Gin and Tonic before dinner each evening which I find most sensible.:
About him
Country of origin: |
Germany | |
Location: |
Bristol, Bristol, England | |
Gender: |
Male | |
Age: |
73 | |
Star sign: |
Leo | |
Height: |
5' 10" (178cm) | |
Body type: |
Athletic | |
Looks: |
Average | |
Hair colour: |
Greying | |
Eye colour: |
Brown | |
Relationship Status: |
Divorced | |
Looking for: |
Let's see what happens; A long-term relationship | |
Have children: |
No | |
Want children: |
No | |
Daily diet: |
Eat most things | |
Smoking: |
Never | |
Drinking: |
Most days | |
Education: |
University | |
Occupation: |
Retired | |
Income: |
Solvent | |
Ethnicity: |
White/Caucasian | |
Home language: |
English | |
Other languages: |
Spanish | |
Religion: |
Atheist |
About his ideal match
Country of origin: |
Anywhere in Europe | ||
Location: |
Within 60 miles of postcode district BS6 (Bristol) | ||
Gender: |
Female | ||
Age range: |
54 - 64 | ||
Star sign: |
Any | ||
Height: |
5' 0" (152cm) - 5' 8" (173cm) | ||
Body type: |
Slim | ||
Looks: |
Attractive | ||
Hair colour: |
Blonde; Dark Blonde; Light Brown; Dark Brown; Auburn | ||
Eye colour: |
Any | ||
Has a photo: |
Non-negotiable | ||
Relationship Status: |
Any | ||
Have children: |
No; Yes, not living with me | ||
Want children: |
No | ||
Daily diet: |
Eat most things; Eat healthily | ||
Smoking: |
Never | ||
Drinking: |
Any | ||
Education: |
University | ||
Occupation: |
Arts / Music / Writing; Executive / Management; Food / Catering; Medical / Dental / Veterinary; Political / Government; Retired; Self-employed; Teaching / Education / Training; Science / Engineering / Research; Other; Public sector; Media; Consultancy / Design; Home maker | ||
Income: |
Enough | ||
Ethnicity: |
Asian; Indian; Latino/Hispanic; White/Caucasian | ||
Home language: |
Any | ||
Other languages: |
Any | ||
Religion: |
Agnostic; Atheist; Buddhist / Taoist; Spiritual, but not religious |
- Not important at all
- Slightly important
- Moderately important
- Decidedly important
- Non-negotiable
More about him
Sense of humour: |
Sophisticated |
Intelligence: |
Intelligent |
Ruled by: |
The head |
Party behaviour: |
An impartial observer |
Personality traits: |
Adventurous; Easygoing; Faithful; Funny; Generous; Independent; Loyal; Philosophical; Realistic; Sensible; Thoughtful; Trustworthy |
Valued qualities: |
Chemistry; Compassion; Honesty; Humour; Kindness; Patience |
Fashion sense: |
Classic (My tastes echo long-established norms) |
Favourite colour: |
White |
Hair style: |
Short |
Facial hair: |
I'm clean-shaven |
Body hair: |
Average |
Body art: |
I don't have any |
Date activities: |
Dinner at a restaurant; Going to the theatre; Meeting for drinks |
Music preferences: |
Broadway / Theatrical; Classical |
Reading: |
I read books regularly; I read newspapers regularly; I read magazines occasionally |
Books: |
(Auto)biographies; Fiction; Non-fiction |
TV habits: |
I tend to watch news |
TV programmes: |
Documentaries; Dramas; News |
Movie frequency: |
Occasionally or irregularly |
Movie preferences: |
Drama; Independent |
Interests: |
Cooking; Reading; The arts |
Sport involvement: |
Bored to death |
Sports: |
Hiking; Swimming; Walking |
Cooking: |
I really enjoy cooking |
Food: |
Asian Fusion; Chinese; Fine Dining; French; Gastro Pub; Indian; Italian; Japanese; Seafood; Sushi; Thai |
Go Out to Eat: |
I only eat out on special occasions |
Dietary Restrictions: |
I have none |
Pace of Life: |
Manageable |
Time at work: |
I'm retired |
Pastimes of choice: |
Spending time outdoors |
Time online: |
I'm on for an hour or two a day |
Take drugs: |
Never |
Family size: |
I've got brothers and sisters |
Relationship Type: |
I'm just plain single |
Willing to Relocate: |
I'm unlikely to move |
Turn-ons: |
Flirting; Intelligence; Long hair; Skinny dipping |
Turn-offs: |
Assertiveness; Body piercing(s); Sarcasm; Tattoo(s) |
Religious attendance: |
Never |
Dream home: |
On a beach |
Politics: |
Liberal |
Retirement plans: |
Sipping margaritas on a beach |
Feelings about using Ivory Towers: |
Curious |
Honesty: |
Very |
