David caught me off guard when he kissed me on the lips I joked about us going on to a hotel afterwards

DATING PAST?

I WAs married for 17 years. After my divorce I did try online dating, but I’ve never found anybody quite right for me. My last partner died from a sudden heart attack. he was younger than me, so it was a great shock.

PRE-DATE NERVES?

No, I was excited. I was looking forward to meeting someone new over a lovely meal. I told my friends about the date and they were all supportive. I wore a blue floral dress from Jigsaw.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

I ARRIVED at the restaurant first and was seated when David arrived. he was wearing a blue shirt with a multicoloured pocket; he later told me he’d bought it specially. he is 79 yet strong and fit. he has good teeth and hands, and he has so much energy.

EASY TO TALK TO?

DAVID made me laugh when he asked if I had any artificial knees or hips (I don’t!) as he has so many friends who have had replacements. David’s theory is that his friends think themselves into being ill. I share his views on positivity and health.

Neither of us usually drink at lunchtime, but as it was a special occasion I had a glass of veuve clicquot champagne and David had a couple of beers. We’re both dog lovers. I have a miniature labradoodle called tilly, while David has a collie cross called Archie.

EMBARRASSING MOMENTS?

No. Although when we left the restaurant we went in for a kiss. I’d have done ‘mwah mwah’, but David went in for a kiss on the lips which caught me off guard.

DID SPARKS FLY?

YES, in a strange way. David is very funny. he told me I’m too tall, so I said he’s too short. I’m 5ft 11in and David is 5ft 10in. there was a spark and if he does come to see me in richmond in london, I’d like that.

SEE HIM AGAIN?

YES, I would. David offered to take me out to lunch on my home turf.

WHAT DO YOU THINK HE THOUGHT OF YOU?

It’s hard to know as he talked about himself so much. We definitely had a fun afternoon. David gave me his business card. the waitress had taken pictures of us and he asked me to send him some photos, so he got my number, too.

WOULD YOUR FRIENDS LIKE HIM?

SOME of my friends would like David — he’s a likeable guy. there’s not a lot to dislike.

DATING PAST?

I SPLIT with my wife in 1990. We met in the 1960s on a blind date. since then, I have had one or two girlfriends.

A few have moved in, but eventually they get fed up. Even though I’m in my 70s, I still work a few hours most mornings, and that includes weekends.

PRE-DATE NERVES?

NO, NOTHING fazes me. I was ten years old when my mum died and Dad sent me off to boarding school. I was bullied and it was an awful experience, but since then nothing has bothered me.

FIRST IMPRESSIONS?

PRETTY good. stephanie is an attractive, tall and elegant lady. We shook hands and I could tell she was a nice sort of girl.

EASY TO TALK TO?

YES, very. stephanie likes restaurants and so do I. she’s a mature woman and while we didn’t go into previous relationships, we bonded over our dogs. stephanie’s ex-husband had a twin-engine plane, while I have a single-engine one. I take it up most afternoons.

she’s had a good life and lived in Australia for a couple of decades, too. she is in good health — like me she looks after herself.

I appreciate that in years I am past my sell-by date, but I keep active at the boatyard with my dog Archie.

stephanie does pilates a few times a week. I think she was surprised by how agile I am.

EMBARRASSING MOMENTS?

I CHANCED my arm by mentioning going on to a hotel afterwards — it was a joke and stephanie was wise enough to take it that way.

DID SPARKS FLY?

OH, YES. there’s definitely a bit of chemistry. I told her she’s an attractive woman — I can be good with compliments. since our lunch, we’ve been texting.

SEE HER AGAIN?

I’D VERY much like to see stephanie again. It was a perfect date. We finished it off outside with a kiss and a cuddle, too.

WHAT DO YOU THINK SHE THOUGHT OF YOU?

I DON’T know, but I think she was pleasantly surprised. I gave her my business card and asked her to send me the photos we’d had taken of us over lunch.

WOULD YOUR FRIENDS LIKE HER?

YES, stephanie is an intelligent, elegant and pretty lady.