BLIND DATE

I left early so that I could go and do some shopping

Every week, we send a couple out for dinner and then report back on their blind date.

This week, Julie Stevens and Mark Lewis tell us about their lunch date at Cote Brasserie in Cardiff Bay.

Julie, 50, who lives just outside Bristol, works at the Bristol royal Hospital for Children. Divorced ten years ago, she has two boys and enjoys exploring the country in her campervan.

Meanwhile, 50-year- old Mark has never been married and recently came out of a short-term relationship. He works as a biomedical scientist, and lives in Carmarthen.

JULIE, 50, SAYS:

One of my favourite Tv shows is First Dates. It features couples who are filmed on their first dates and it always looks so much fun, so I had really built up my expectations about lunch with Mark.

I was nervous when I arrived, but the sun was shining, the restaurant is always good and, of course, Cardiff Bay is really spectacular so it was all boding well.

Unfortunately, the minute I saw Mark I knew he wasn’t my type at all, and so I felt very disappointed. This is absolutely no reflection on him, as he is a lovely and interesting person, but I had really built up the date into this romantic encounter and I felt deflated.

That said, we chatted away about our work and travels. I did let him do a lot of the talking though, as we didn’t have that much in common. Mark has never married and has no kids.

I’m a bit quirky and I like someone who has a good sense of humour. But sadly there was no laughter. I really wished there had been a spark, but it just wasn’t there.

At least, as expected, the food was lovely. I think Mark had the duck with berry sauce and I had scampi.

It was a little awkward at the end. As I knew that there was no point in prolonging the date, I wanted to leave enough time in order to go off and do a little shopping before my train. Mark offered to come with me, but I didn’t think that was a good idea, so instead I thanked him for a lovely time and left.

I like nothing more than talking nonsense over a glass of wine, and would certainly love to find someone to enjoy all my hobbies with. But Mark was simply not the chap to do that with.

I’m pretty active and have just had my campervan renovated ready for the summer. I’m a bit of an upcycler too, and love rummaging around charity and junk shops. I even make my own jewellery.

I like travelling, beaches, sunshine and snow, and would love to meet someone I could share this with.

My sons are 19 and 22 now, and after ten years of raising them on my own, I’m ready to focus on myself a bit more.

I’ve tried internet dating and had a couple of encounters that were terrifyingly bad. After one, I got a text saying ‘morning sweetheart’ as if we were in some sort of loving relationship and I found that dreadful.

Somehow, I hope I will meet someone through friends or when I am out and about somewhere, without it feeling contrived. essentially, I want to be with someone who is kind. Kindness is a really important trait.

I don’t like arrogance and I am not interested in money at all. I am capable of paying my own way. But I’m aware that there has to be a spark in order to find each other attractive.

I did feel quite sad when I got home. Where do women my age meet men? I think my boys would love me to meet someone — it would be a weight off their minds to know that I had a boyfriend to look after me!

Sadly, this time there was no window for romance. It was a nice meal though! LIKE: He’s an interesting person.

REGRETS: None, as I did have a nice day out. CAB/COFFEE: Cab. VERDICT: 6/10

She seemed so distant whenever I tried to chat to her

but increasingly I found the conversation really hard work. We did talk about some stuff including travel — I’m a really keen traveller and have visited 37 countries, though it’s my ambition to visit 50.

Julie loves camping in her campervan, which I’d love to do, too, but it quickly became obvious that we’re not going to be heading off together.

On the whole it was clear that we didn’t have that much in common and Julie came across as a little bit distant.

I am a member of dating websites Match and Plenty of Fish and have been on several dates with women I met online, but the elusive spark has always been missing. Sadly it wasn’t ignited with Julie either.

The food was delicious, but Julie consumed her meal at a great rate which I took to mean she couldn’t wait to leave.

We walked out together. Julie said she wanted to see Cardiff because she hadn’t been to the city for many years, but having previously said that she hated shopping, she then told me she was off to do some.

I would have happily carried on talking with Julie or even accompanied her on her shopping trip, but it was clear that she wanted to get away.

If I’m honest, I had found the date quite awkward too, but I was willing to make the effort. I like to give things a chance to develop, but the problem with dating now is that people can be so fast to judge.

We left with a kiss on the cheek but didn’t swap numbers. Our homes are geographically miles apart, but more importantly we were definitely miles apart connection wise.

Still, the weather was good and the food was excellent — and as they say, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

It hasn’t put me off dating though, and I still am getting out there. It is definitely more difficult when you’re older because I think that there are fewer people you can connect with, but it would absolutely be nice to meet someone someday!

LIKE: She came across as a nice person. REGRETS: No regrets.

CAB/COFFEE: Cab. VERDICT: 6/10