Why should you get to know Beachlover2008?

Friends describe me as warm, feisty, loving, vivacious, social, loyal, fun to be with and a great cook. Oh - and single! I've finally twigged that you have to actually put yourself out there if you want to meet someone special - so here I am.

I work for myself, having grown out of the buzz of grown-up jobs with big titles and a well-thumbed passport, and I now really enjoy a quieter, outdoorsy lifestyle and living amongst my friendly local community here in south west Dorset.

I have long believed in fate and that it would deliver my perfect soulmate when I was least expecting it - too many fairy stories as a child perhaps. Fate has delivered many blessings to me but right now I lack that special man, a long-term partner with whom to share life's joys, laughter, tears, intimacy, spontaneous moments and crossword puzzles. Time will tell if taking what feels like a bit of a risky leap into the unknown will make my dreams come true but I'm certainly willing to give it a go.

She describes her ideal match thus:

If you are an alpha male - a leader not a follower, a radiator not a drain - chances are that we'll have fun together. I love to be with someone who's sparky and confident - although I draw the line at arrogance. It goes without saying that I also value intelligence, kindness, romance and humour. If you feel equally comfortable curled up by the fire with a bottle of wine, blowing away the cobwebs on a windswept beach, messing around in the garden, visiting new places and socialising with mutual friends - well, we would have a lot in common and that's a great start.