BLIND DATE
I just loved the way he immediately ordered a bottle of Bollinger
Every week, we send a couple out for dinner and report back on their blind date. This week, Philippa Stride and Nick russell went to The Bell at Hampton Poyle in Oxfordshire.
Philippa, 54, is a mum of two boys. She lives near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, and works as a complementary therapist and celebration cake baker. She is also a Cruse bereavement care volunteer.
Nick, from Abingdon near Oxford, works in sales and has three daughters. The 52-year-old has been single for four years.
Philippa, 54, says:
I’ve never been on a blind date, so this was something to tick off my bucket list. I was so excited about the whole thing.
My sons are aged 17 and 19, and I wanted to include them in this — so asked my youngest to help me choose my jewellery. I think it’s important they see me with a life outside of being their mum. They’re old enough now to be happy that I’m dating.
I’ve been separated for five years and have been on dating sites, but with little luck.
My main criteria in a man is that he is taller than 5ft 10in. I’m only 5ft 4in, but once I did meet a shorter man to try to overcome my height anxiety (he was 5ft 7in), but he just talked about his ex-girlfriend and how good in bed she was! After that, my height requirement has stayed the same.
I would also like him to be tactile, solvent and independent, with his own hair, teeth and address. He must make me laugh, value me and allow me my space. I’m not looking for arrogance or weak handshakes!
When I saw this handsome and reassuringly tall man with a beaming smile walk into the restaurant, I knew immediately that we would get on. Nick reminded me of a smoother, older-looking Dean Gaffney, the Tv soap star.
We talked non-stop from the start and there was no awkwardness at all. We chatted about getting ready for the date and how our kids had helped. We touched on our exes, too, but not too much.
I got a sense Nick is very close to his family and parents, which I thought was lovely.
He was so smiley and engaging and when we looked at the menu he said, mischievously: ‘I love Bollinger — let’s get some!’ It was so spontaneous — and I loved that.
The enthusiastic waitress said, ‘Ooooh are we celebrating?’
But we weren’t ready to admit it was a blind date, so we joked Nick was on day release from prison. ‘I don’t get out much,’ he said.
The Bell is a great restaurant and the food and staff were fantastic. I had garlic prawns, then duck, while Nick had foie gras and Dover sole. Despite having to spit out lots of fish bones, he had good table manners and was well dressed into the bargain.
I liked his personality and sense of humour, but didn’t necessarily fancy him. He came across as caring, funny and genuine.
We had dessert and coffee, then the evening came to a natural end. We walked out and I gave him a kiss on the cheek.
I think we both had a wonderful night. He asked to exchange numbers and I tried to text him to thank him, but his was one digit short. I’m not sure if that was deliberate on his part or my Bollinger brain!
I would definitely like to meet up again, as it was a fun evening.
We had a connection and it has really given me a boost to get out dating again. To know there are lovely men like Nick out there has given me hope. LIKE: He had a lovely smile and I liked his openness and willingness to embrace the experience. REGRET: None. CAB/COFFEE: Coffee. VERDICT: 8/10
Nick, 52, says:
I HAve three girls aged 15 to 22 and they would love me to meet someone. I wanted to involve them in this date, so they chose my outfit. They dress fabulously and give me tips. It’s important to me to keep them involved in my life and I value their opinion.
I have only been on one blind date before and I ended up going out with her for ten years, so no pressure on this one! I’ve done a bit of internet dating, but I didn’t really enjoy it.
Philippa was already waiting for me and I thought she was very
Meeting Philippa’s inspired me to go speed dating — with my ex
nice and really easy to chat to. I can talk the hind legs off a donkey, but she was able to match me, so we had a laugh about things like families and stuff.
It was a very easy evening and the restaurant and food were lovely. I love Bollinger, so we had a bottle of that, too.
Although Philippa wasn’t my type and there was no chemistry, I wasn’t too disappointed because I enjoyed the evening so much.
Obviously, I was hoping to meet someone I was really attracted to, but she is a lovely lady. Maybe because of that we just relaxed and had a laugh.
It’s harder to date as you get older, and there are lots of single people out there of our ages looking for a connection.
It’s just a case of meeting the right person.
To be honest, I prefer women my age as we tend to have a lot more in common — and have seen and done the same things. I have dated younger women, but not felt there was as much good conversation.
It’s important that I meet an interesting woman. There are some great-looking middle-aged women out there, as women age far better than men.
The fact I had such a good evening, even though we didn’t have any chemistry, has really given me the confidence to date again.
It has reminded me that dating is about going out and having a good time. The hardest thing is getting off the sofa and putting yourself ‘out there’.
In fact, Philippa encouraged me to go speed dating, saying it’s a good laugh, so I’ve arranged to go with my ex.
Life has been so hectic with work and my kids, but my daughters are grown up now, so I have some time on my hands.
It’s definitely onwards and upwards. I want to go out there and not just sit on the shelf.
you can’t just sit around and expect romance to come knocking. you have to go out and find it, and thanks to this date with Philippa, I feel ready to do that.
LIKE: Philippa is a great conversationalist. REGRET: None. CAB/COFFEE: Coffee. VERDICT: 7/10