Yvette on Ian
What were you hoping for?
To meet a nice chap and maybe find a walking/running buddy.
First impressions?
He stood up and immediately gave me a bar of chocolate from Costa Rica. Nice gesture. However, I felt no instant spark and our age gap felt apparent.
What did you talk about?
Running. Long-distance walking. Sport competitiveness. His visit to Antarctica. Families. Ancestry. The fire service. Places we had lived. Campervans.
Most awkward moment?
Probably the greeting. I wasn’t expecting a full-on cheek kiss on each side. It felt a bit forward.
Good table manners?
Yes.
Best thing about Ian?
He looks after himself.
Would you introduce Ian to your friends?
He’d definitely get along with my running friends.
Describe Ian in three words
Polite, adventurer, good storyteller.
What do you think Ian made of you?
Probably a bit OTT. I tend to gush when I meet new people. He told me twice that he liked my “punky” hair!
Did you go on somewhere?
No. I had a train to catch and I think we’d had enough of each other by then.
And … did you kiss?
Well, he did greet me and say goodbye to me with cheek pecks.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
The gourmet food was absolutely divine but when I got back to Bristol I found myself hungry again and had to visit my local chip shop.
Marks out of 10?
7.
Would you meet again?
No.
Ian on Yvette
What were you hoping for?
A lovely meal with great company. I met my wife of 41 years on a blind date, so I thought it unlikely lightning would strike twice!
First impressions?
Funky hair and a great smile.
What did you talk about?
Our families. Politics. I loved the story about her hiding in a tent to avoid the Romanian “sheepdogs”.
Most awkward moment?
There wasn’t one as I recall.
Good table manners?
Impeccable.
Best thing about Yvette?
Easy to chat to, with a lovely West Country burr to her voice.
Would you introduce Yvette to your friends?
Yes, she’d love them, and vice versa.
Describe Yvette in three words
Attractive, intelligent, smiley.
What do you think Yvette made of you?
I hope she thought me good company.
Did you go on somewhere?
No, she had a train to catch. I hope she caught it!
And … did you kiss?
On meeting and parting, on the cheek.
If you could change one thing about the evening what would it be?
That she didn’t have to rush for the train, as I’d have liked to have heard more about her singing.
Marks out of 10?
You’ll insist on this, so 9½. (I never give anything 10.)
Would you meet again?
As we are separated by 240 or so miles and didn’t swap numbers, so it would be unlikely … but I would like to continue the conversation.
Yvette and Ian ate at The Reading Room in Reading. Fancy a blind date? Email blind.date@theguardian.com
