Blind date: I hadn't been on a date for nearly 15 years and it showed'

"What were you hoping for? A romantic connection. Failing that, getting to know someone I might not otherwise have crossed paths with. First impressions? Tall, slim and seemingly in a rush maybe because I was already seated. What did you talk about? His love of Montessori. Children's play versus split digraphs. My trip to Iceland. Tree-planting projects It was a bit of a whirlwind of abstract musings."

"Q&AShow Blind date is Saturday's dating column: every week, two strangers are paired up for dinner and drinks, and then spill the beans to us, answering a set of questions. This runs, with a photograph we take of each dater before the date, in Saturday magazine (in the UK) and online at theguardian.com every Saturday. It's been running since 2009 you can read all about how we put it together here."

Hoped-for outcomes included a romantic connection or at least meeting someone otherwise unlikely to be encountered. First impressions described the date as tall, slim and seeming in a rush, possibly because the narrator was already seated. Conversation ranged from his enthusiasm for Montessori and children's play versus split digraphs to travel in Iceland and tree-planting projects, forming a whirlwind of abstract musings. The date had no notably awkward moments and displayed good table manners when Russell offered an extra plate while the narrator wrestled with mussel detritus. Blind Date is a weekly column pairing two strangers for dinner and drinks and asking standard questions. Photographs are taken before the date and the feature appears in Saturday magazine and online. Participants provide age, job and hobbies; matching is blind and answers may be edited.

Read at www.theguardian.com