LOVE IS IN THE (FRESH) AIR

Country life can bring extra complications to modern romance. Kitty Corrigan talks to three women about the reality of rural dating, divorce and settling down – and why love can find a way

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Moving from London to mid-Wales 13 years ago, I carefully weighed the pros and cons for work, access to culture and making friends, but gave no thought to dating until I was settled. What opportunities would there be in a village of 1,500 people for a non-driving woman to meet a man who shared her interests? The nearest city was 25 miles away, the book club were all women, and while I met middle-aged farmers on market day, that wasn't a future I envisaged. I discovered that few couples today meet at dinner parties or weddings - though funerals are apparently fruitful, especially for divorcees - and that dating apps are where it's at. With a phone to hand, you can scroll through profiles 24/7 but imagine the embarrassment of a disastrous date with someone you might see in the farm shop the next day? Travelling long distances for a casual coffee can be expensive, and what if your date drives to meet you at a country pub but gets lost in the unlit narrow lanes without a phone signal? Rural dating can be a muddy minefield...

I’ve always been attracted to the outdoor life – my previous partner was a gamekeeper – but it was hard to meet people where I was living in Surrey. So I signed up to dating agency, muddymatches.co.uk. My first call with Nick, 10 years ago, might have put me off for ever. He had his phone on loudspeaker when I heard him say, ‘Come on, girl, get between my legs!’. Turned out he was with a ewe about to give birth.