dates, drinks + dinners

 26th March 2022 - ' Runner Boy' I can't quite remember how I managed to match with this one, however we bonded over us both having twin siblings, a love for chocolate cake and a trade off - I would teach him my signature chocolate cake, he would train me how to run (a new skill I have wanted to learn for a long time). We decided to have a chilled date, one alcoholic beverage, the rest mocktails as I decided to drive into Newcastle (a busy cake weekend pending - hangovers are off limits). His chat pre-date was average, and so, I thought I would give him the benefit of the doubt. I was currently still dating Mr Teacher at this point, but hadn't had the exclusivity chat, and still feeling doubtful of him, I continued to date other men.  The date: We had been messaging throughout the day and had agreed to meet by Central Station, close by to Lane 7 where we agreed to play a game of Ping Pong before heading for some drinks. As I parked my car further across the city, I walk...

 Before I start this story, I’d like to start with a small disclaimer. I never thought I’d be the kind of girl to serial date different men at once, but after a chat with my friend and fellow dater, we reached the conclusion that if you don’t sleep with them, or become exclusive - dating different men at one time is acceptable. At the point of my 5th date, a Bumble match I had rescheduled countless times, I had also dated Mr Teacher once more, a cuppa and Greggs catch up after work. I’d say who said romance was dead, but this was one of the sweetest gestures I’ve ever had. Kudos to him.  Date 5 with Mr Bumble was an awkward once. His messages said the right things, but I had had my doubts. I agreed to meet him in Newcastle at 5:30pm and head to a few cool bars, previously spending the afternoon in Newcastle with my twin sister. As I walked to meet him by the Metro station, I already sensed his cool aura, and was pleasantly surprised by his good looks and carefully planned outf...

This was one of the hardest posts to write for so many reasons, maybe because I actually never wanted it to end. After realising that everything happens for a reason, and his loss is someone else’s gain, I finally settled down with a strong cuppa to write this one.. Enjoy! 12th March 2022 Oh how my Hinge journey had taken a turn. From date number 1 pieing me, date number 2 being a perm catfish and buying me way too many doubles, date 3 being handsome but let me pay for the entirety of the date - I was left with low expectations of men. It was a normal Saturday; cake deliveries, my weekly coffee, catch ups and a Hinge date.  I remember talking about this one coming up for ages, being excited to meet someone different (a little out of my comfort zone as he was a tad older). As the day went on, I quickly realised I hadn’t planned my outfit, fake tanned my little arms (?) or put much thought into what he’d be like - or most importantly - what bars we’d go to... I sadly no longer have s...

 Monday 7th March  Somewhere between Friday 4th March (my evening seeing The Wanted in concert) to over the weekend, I managed to match and schedule a date with a hotty - simply the only way I can possibly describe him. After liking his 'prompt' about the first round being on him if I win and having not played mini golf in forever (aside from my previous date) I was eager to meet him and hopefully win a game. After weekend plans being hectic (The Wanted, a date and a rush to take my dogs for a bath and blow dry with a stinking hangover) the thought of the date went to the back of my mind and Monday came around in a flash.  I had conveniently scheduled this date in to follow from my shift at the Covid Hot-Site that I occasionally work from, packing my outfit and clothes into my 'Good Vibes' tote back, how apt! As 4pm came around, I started to put on some makeup, brush through my Dyson Airwrap curls and get ready for my date. We had agreed to meet for 6:30 in Newcastle Ci...

Saturday 5th March 2022 Now the thing I love about Saturday dates are the fact Saturdays are very busy for me workwise, which means I don’t stress all day wondering and worrying, and this date was no exception. My date with Lee was planned within one week of being on the app, and we agreed to meet in Newcastle on the evening. Lee was chatty and seemed interested as we exchanged small talk online, and this continued in real life. Until the red flags came out waving in abundance. It’s not until you’re single and put yourself in a perhaps vulnerable situation (alone with a somewhat stranger) that you question your alcohol tolerance. Being 5ft and tiny, Lee knew I couldn’t drink too much … being mortal and sick on a first date is a no no, so always avoid this one like the plague - disclaimer, this did not happen! I met Lee on Northumberland Street and headed to on of the mini golf courses, Ghetto Golf. Lee had pre-booked the game, so we grabbed a drink before heading to play. The game went...

 It seems like a lifetime ago since I searched 'Hinge' on the App Store of my iPhone, but realistically it was a little under 3 weeks ago. My closest friends had been on the apps for a while, I occasionally browsed, simply to see what was out there, but had never quite created my own profile, until Monday 28th February.  Hinge downloaded, matches made - who knew it was that easy? I wasn't slow in exchanging numbers, whittling it down to a handful of men I'd quite like to see, whilst also 'keeping my options open' and not 'putting all of my eggs in one basket' as it were. Date 1 3 days on the app and I had arranged a date with Carl*, a seemingly 'normal' looking 30 something year old who had complimented me on my 'half tucked' shirt on one of my pictures. We chatted for the 2 days prior to the date, agreeing to meet on Newcastle's Quayside for a quiet drink on Wednesday (both deciding to drive into town, meaning alcohol consumption was...