LOOKING FOR LOVE?

The vagaries of online dating taught Lynne Wallis to go back to basics in the romance department

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Finding myself single again at the age of 63, I decided to give online dating a go. I'd been out of a relationship for two years and I was starting to wonder about meeting someone else. 'Think of yourself as a slightly older version of Bridget Jones,' advised a friend who'd met the love of her life online in her 60s.

Encouraged, I joined one of the leading sites and waited for the magic to happen. It didn't. I took three years off my age. Something happened, but it was a long way from being magical.

Now, I'm a little bit overweight, but I have otherwise looked after myself unlike the rogues' gallery that awaited me whenever I signed in. About one in 20 looked as if dentists and barbers had gone out of fashion, so my first challenge was to weed out a few half-decent-looking ones.

The first guy I arranged to meet sounded interesting, was my age, and had a nice, smiley face. We arranged to have lunch in a cosy rural pub and, although I was nervous, nothing could have prepared me for what greeted me as I walked in.

Romance is dead?

Ken had told everyone inside that his first ever internet date was about to walk through the door. When I arrived, the whole pub applauded. I was mortified.

My date was stout, wearing a shiny jacket that was too small for him, huge baggy trousers and black patent shoes. He looked like a cross between Norman Wisdom and a clown. We had an awkward lunch and I made my excuses and left.