Blind date

I nearly fell into him when we met – I’d not worn heels for years! She refused to say how many times she’d been married

EveRY week, we send a couple on a blind date. This time, Mike Hill, 67, had dinner at the Grand Hotel in swanage, Dorset, with Pauline Robinson, 63.

Mike is now retired, but used to play cricket professionally and owned a number of businesses. He is a widower, has one daughter and lives in Yeovil, somerset.

Pauline works for the Heritage Railway and lives in swanage. she is divorced and has two grown- up children and seven grandchildren.

PAULINE, 63, SAYS:

I was more nervous about having my photo taken for the paper than the date. I got my hair and make-up done specially, and felt a bit unnatural, but I enjoyed it.

I probably don’t normally spend enough money or time on myself, and I think I scrub up well. so I arrived for the date feeling good, and Mike was already there at the bar. He gave me a big, warm welcome and a kiss on each cheek.

I thought he was quite attractive — especially for his age. He’s tall and slim, which is good, and he obviously takes care of himself. He looked to have made an effort, dressed casually, but smartly, in jeans and a shirt.

I’d hardly worn heels in a decade, so could barely walk in mine, and nearly fell into him when we met. I hope he didn’t notice.

Mike is clearly a people person and I felt comfortable from the word go, even though I’ve had no real relationships since my divorce in 2001 — even my last date was more than three years ago.

The conversation felt natural — not like an interrogation. we had a few beliefs in common, such as the importance of family and keeping fit and healthy, and we also had a good old moan about modern technology and rudeness. we had a few laughs and didn’t leave until 11.45pm. I think it helped that we share the same sense of humour.

There was a bit of a spark, I thought. when we were sitting next to each other after the meal, having our coffee, I noticed we kept touching each other’s arms when we were talking and it felt comfortable.

It would be lovely to have a man with whom to share good times, although I have a busy life, so haven’t made much of an effort to date in the past.

I’m fit and healthy and used to run marathons until four years ago. Now I do a lot of long-distance walking. I work for the Heritage Railway and have an allotment. I’m a fairly positive person — so I want to meet a man who is young at heart.

I did think Mike ticked a lot of those boxes. At the end of the night, we exchanged numbers (I wrote out my number for him and he gave me his card) and we said we would be in touch. Then he saw me out to the taxi and gave me a kiss on the cheek.

I texted him a couple of nights later and mentioned that I had enjoyed our date and would be happy to meet again.

He replied, but didn’t say any-thing about meeting again, so perhaps he didn’t feel the same, which is a shame, as I thought he was a super bloke. But I think what’s more important is that it was such a positive experience — getting ready and having an enjoyable time. It’s made me think I should make more of an effort to start dating again.

I think sometimes we can feel guilty about spending money on ourselves, but this has made me realise I should get out there and make an effort.

LIKED? His positivity and that he is down-to-earth.

REGRETS? None. COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee.

Verdict: 9/10

MIKE, 67, SAYS:

I was married for 38 years and looked after my wife for the last 15 of those. she eventually succumbed to breast cancer in 2016.

Because she had such a long illness, we weren’t able to go away or get out much, so I would like to have someone to do that with. I want to go exploring and have adventures.

I’m now retired, but I used to be a professional cricketer for Hampshire and then I owned a few businesses and pubs.

Keeping active is important to me and I love walking on the beach — although I live in Yeovil, I spend a lot of time at my lodge in Dorset.

I enjoy having a drink and socialising too, of course.

I got to the restaurant first and was ordering a drink at the bar when I felt a tap on the shoulder — it was Pauline asking if I was Mike.

It was immediately clear that she is a warm and friendly person and there wasn’t a single moment of awkwardness.

I’m not sure if she is my usual type, but she’s such a lovely lady and we got on well.

we talked about everything — although she wouldn’t tell me how many times she had been married.

We Were there for four hours and it felt very natural. There was no flirting, though: despite getting on well, I didn’t think there was a spark.

I’ve been doing quite a bit of dating recently.

I hate online dating, because of all the texting, so I decided to join an agency. It found me nine lovely dates in all, although no one I have ended up seeing romantically. still, it was a good experience for me to be getting out there again.

My daughter is supportive of me dating, as she realises we all need somebody to love.

I’m looking for a woman who is young at heart, attractive and bubbly and who still wants to live life to the full.

It’s important to me to meet someone who lives nearby — at my age, you have your family and your community around you, so I’d want to stay close.

Pauline and I had a good laugh and, at the end of the night, we exchanged numbers and said we might meet up again.

To be honest, I wondered if we had much in common, but I left it up to her. whatever happens, it was a lovely evening and I’m enjoying dating again.

It was great to meet Pauline and I think you learn something new from each date.

LIKED? Pauline was very chatty and friendly. REGRETS? None.

COFFEE OR CAB? Coffee.

Verdict: 8/10