In His Own Words
About him
My previous profile was a self-portrait in a thousand adjectives! (Still available on request!). But here, by contrast, is an idea of what I get up to.
I teach the piano, mostly to children, some in their own homes, some in mine, a few by video. This was never a career aim: I had childhood and childish ambitions to be a concert pianist (I had nowhere near enough talent), and then far more realistic ambitions to be a musicologist, but I turned away from academic life because I wasn’t suited to it. I started to teach the piano to fund the end of my research, and then I just continued. That was in 1989, so I’ve been doing it for the last 35 years! But absolutely no regrets. It’s a job rather than a career, but an extremely fulfilling one. It has suited me very well: it gave me the time to be a very hands-on parent, and I’ve always enjoyed the parental/teaching role. You could say I’m semi-retired, but the the truth is I have never worked more than part time. I used to have 38 weekly pupils but now have only 22. It keeps me busy for about 3 hours a day, five days a week ... and keeps the wolf from the door.
I practice and play the piano and harpsichord entirely for my own pleasure; and I listen to music: Bach to Stravinsky and most of the great ones in between. I must admit it is only classical music I take seriously, but I enjoy many other kinds, especially Billy Holiday and Edith Piaf.
I read. Have done all my life. Mostly novels. Nearly all the classics and a lot besides. Overwhelmingly my favourite author is George Eliot. But I've recently discovered Alice Munro. Poetry has always been a bit of a closed book to me, I don't know why.
I walk, run, and cycle for pleasure and exercise, and I get about 30 miles cycling every week commuting to my teaching. I would love to have a couple ...
About his ideal match
... of dogs to go walking with. But getting dogs would change my life – I’m still hanging out for more than just canine company!
I learn French. I’ve been serious about it for the last three years (an hour a day with an online course). I started out wanting to understand Edith Piaf’s songs (and also wanting to holiday in France) but now I just do it for the beauty of the language and because I like to learn something substantial.
I keep in pretty close touch with my family, which, these days, is down to one brother (in Lincoln) and two daughters (Oxford and London, 28 and 30, busy with their own lives). But we also get together for dinners and special occasions and for some live sport.
I keep in touch with friends, which is mostly with my good friend John (round his place or mine or at the pub), and other friends by email.
I keep abreast of political and current affairs. Absolutely DREAD what could be just about to happen in America.
I watch films. Have done all my life. I subscribe to MUBI and cinemaparadiso, and my tastes are rather ‘foreign language’ and ‘small-budget’, but I still very much enjoy some ‘Hollywood values’!
I watch sport, which is mostly rugby (including the women’s), tennis (not just Wimbledon), and athletics, both on TV and live.
I live in an old cottage in a scrappy little village just north-west of Cambridge. Willingham has few things recommend it, but friendly and unpretentious it certainly is. Most people greet each other just passing in the street, which is really nice.
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Who or what am I looking for? Not necessarily shared interests but certainly shared values and approaches to life. Mutual physical attraction. Intimacy in every way. And perhaps even someone to build a ship with, one that would not only give us a wonderful view of the sun on the sea but carry us through life's rough waters.
Richard
What His Friends Say
Richard121 hasn't asked any friends to write a recommendation yet.
About him
Country of origin: |
United Kingdom | |
Location: |
Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England | |
Gender: |
Male | |
Age: |
64 | |
Star sign: |
Aquarius | |
Height: |
6' 2" (188cm) | |
Body type: |
Slim | |
Looks: |
Very Attractive | |
Hair colour: |
Greying | |
Eye colour: |
Green | |
Relationship Status: |
Divorced | |
Looking for: |
Let's see what happens; A short-term relationship; A long-term relationship; Marriage | |
Have children: |
Yes, not living with me | |
Want children: |
No | |
Daily diet: |
Eat healthily | |
Smoking: |
Never | |
Drinking: |
Occasionally | |
Education: |
Postgraduate | |
Occupation: |
Teaching / Education / Training | |
Income: |
Enough | |
Ethnicity: |
White/Caucasian | |
Home language: |
English | |
Other languages: |
Dutch; French | |
Religion: |
Atheist |
About his ideal match
Country of origin: |
Anywhere in the World | ||
Location: |
Anywhere in Europe | ||
Gender: |
Female | ||
Age range: |
40 - 70 | ||
Star sign: |
Any | ||
Height: |
Any | ||
Body type: |
Any | ||
Looks: |
Very Attractive; Attractive | ||
Hair colour: |
Any | ||
Eye colour: |
Any | ||
Has a photo: |
Decidedly important | ||
Relationship Status: |
Any | ||
Have children: |
Any | ||
Want children: |
Any | ||
Daily diet: |
Any | ||
Smoking: |
Never | ||
Drinking: |
Any | ||
Education: |
Any | ||
Occupation: |
Any | ||
Income: |
Any | ||
Ethnicity: |
Any | ||
Home language: |
Any | ||
Other languages: |
Any | ||
Religion: |
Any |
- Not important at all
- Slightly important
- Moderately important
- Decidedly important
- Non-negotiable
More about him
Sense of humour: |
Dry |
Intelligence: |
Intelligent |
Party behaviour: |
An average mingler |
Personality traits: |
Confident; Easygoing; Faithful; Generous; Happy; Independent; Intelligent; Loving; Loyal; Optimistic; Outspoken; Realistic; Sensible; Stable; Thoughtful; Trustworthy |
Valued qualities: |
Charity; Chemistry; Compassion; Contentment; Faithfulness; Forgiveness; Friendliness; Honesty; Humour; Kindness; Moderation; Patience; Sexiness; Tolerance |
Fashion sense: |
Classic (My tastes echo long-established norms) |
Favourite colour: |
Green |
Hair style: |
Short; Straight |
Eyesight: |
I wear glasses |
Facial hair: |
I have a full beard |
Body hair: |
Light |
Body art: |
I don't have any |
Date activities: |
A picnic in a park; Dinner at a restaurant; Meeting for coffee; Meeting for drinks; Going for a walk; Visiting a gallery; Going to a museum |
Music preferences: |
Blues; Classical; Instrumental; Jazz; Opera |
Reading: |
I read books regularly |
Books: |
(Auto)biographies; Fiction; History; Non-fiction |
TV habits: |
I tend to watch news |
TV programmes: |
News; Sport |
Movie frequency: |
Occasionally or irregularly |
Movie preferences: |
Art Films; Comedy; Documentary; Drama; Independent; Romance |
Interests: |
Board games; Music; Painting; Politics; Reading; The arts |
Sport involvement: |
Watching from the couch |
Sports: |
Athletics; Chess; Cycling; Rugby; Running; Swimming; Tennis; Walking |
Food: |
Doesn't matter; French; German; Greek; Indian; Italian; Pub Grub |
Go Out to Eat: |
I only eat out on special occasions |
Dietary Restrictions: |
I have none |
Pace of Life: |
Organised |
Time at work: |
I work part-time |
Time online: |
I check in once a day |
Family size: |
I've got a brother and a sister |
Family contact: |
I see them when I can |
Relationship Type: |
I'm just plain single |
Willing to Relocate: |
For the right person, to the moon! |
Animals: |
I like animals |
Pets (Have): |
Fish |
Pets (Like): |
Bird(s); Cat(s); Dog(s); Horse(s) |
Turn-ons: |
Assertiveness; Dancing; Intelligence; Showing affection in public |
Turn-offs: |
Body piercing(s); Power; Sarcasm; Tattoo(s); Thrill seeking |
Work aspirations: |
I already have my ideal job |
Religious attendance: |
Never |
Dream home: |
In the country |
Politics: |
Labour |
Retirement plans: |
Living in the country |
Feelings about using Over 40 Dating: |
Jaded |
Honesty: |
Extremely |
