Never thought I'd resort to this. But thank god for the Guardian; recently separated after 29 years. 3 grown-up children whom I miss and love dearly So some baggage but not too heavy. I left Plymouth to return to Nottingham where I was born. The son of Irish immigrants and an inverted working class snob. Retired form a secondary deputy head's post. About to restart career in September. Only ever voted Labour. I love the craic, visiting the west of Ireland and drinking in places like Matt Molloy's . Travel important. Only place that brought a tear to my eye was the Acropolis, although Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, Ellis Island Milford Sound and Donegal are all places I'd like to see again. Favourite city is Chicago. Love languages. A pedant really! Good grammar and good beer in old pubs with people who can use the apostrophe. God it sounds turgid, but I'm not like that.

Like sport.- play the odd game of squash despite being overweight. Go to the gym but you'd advise me to go a bit more! Love footie. Like all the normal things good grub,wine, books, music,films,walks. Happy to do nothing, and happy to live life to the full. Want to find someone to love and who will love me without controlling eachother. Love stupid jokes and good fun and sensitive people with a sense of humour. Looking for someone compatible. My favourite character in literature at the moment is Inspector Brunetti created by Donna Leon. Looking for someone who is also a fan of Brunetti. Music- acoustic guitar played by Dylan or Neil Young. Listen to Counting Crows and lots of traditionally Irish music. fan of Sin?ad O'Connor.

Politics and current events important to me. Enjoying the drama on Saddam Hussein in BBC2 at the moment. Soaps don't attract; never watched Dragons' Den Big Brother or Jeremy Kyle, although known to enjoy Casualty! Listen to Five Live a lot. used to be Radio 4 fan. Still am too a degree but really rate Nicky Campbell, Shelagh Fogarty, Peter Allen and Anita Anand and Simon Mayo.