WHERE ELSE DO DISCERNING DATABLES GO TO FIND LOVE?
Cruises
Some ships – such as Norwegian Cruise Line’s, which have a complex of solo cabins – will attract more singles. Dating coach Jo Barnett says, ‘There will be plenty of unattached people and it’s such a relaxed atmosphere that romance has a head start. Talk to people, let them know you’re single. Seek out opportunities, because the person you want to meet may be at a cocktail party or listening to a talk, rather than sunbathing beside you.’
Jane* met a handsome First Officer on a postbreak-up cruise with girlfriends, which was just what she needed. ‘We spent so long in my stateroom, some joker draped the door with “fire scene” tape,’ she says, laughing.
Exercise
Put aside that prejudice against MAMILS (Middle Aged Men In Lycra) because parkruns, tennis/golf clubs, cycling and walking groups all have love stories to tell. It’s easier to spark spontaneous chat when you’re side by side (assuming you’re not going at Mo Farah speed) and enjoying a shared interest. Even if you don’t lose your heart, you’ll have the satisfaction of knowing you’re toning your butt.
Fine dining (& wining)
If fabulous food is your thing, join other singles at the table. Thedinnerclubuk. co.uk (‘NOT a dating agency’) in Chester organises events for 40-pluses, encouraging guests to ‘go Australian’, meaning men move seats.
London department store
Fortnum & Mason is a class act, and its promising programme, including champagne tasting and foodie history tours, may reveal more in store than a pretty tin of posh shortbread; fortnumandmason.com
Galleries
Maria* met Simon* at the Royal Academy (RA) Summer Exhibition in London six years ago. ‘I was staring at a work by Tracey Emin when a voice behind me said, “Do you have any idea what’s going on here?”’ she says. ‘That made me chuckle. I confessed I didn’t have a clue, we got talking and ended up swapping numbers. We’ve been together ever since and always go to the RA on our anniversary.’
You don’t have to know much about art to enjoy a gallery, and if you spot someone you like the look of admiring a picture, it’s perfectly legitimate to stand beside them for ages!
Holidays
The key here is to focus on what you’ve always wanted to do, but never had the chance. Toni*, a glam granny from Surrey, went on a vineyard tour of Bordeaux with a group of mostly male singles. ‘To be honest, I was more interested in the wine,’ she says, ‘but I was flattered when they set about out-charming each other for my benefit.’
A world of adventure opens up once you get used to travelling alone. Pilates in Palermo? Painting in Puglia? Walking to Santiago de Compostela on the Pilgrims’ Way? You might enjoy your own company so much, you’ll wonder why you ever put up with someone else’s sunburn and snoring!