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Original poster

Online dating - i hate the great outdoors

153 replies

Nothappyatwork · 28/03/2022 19:59

Every bloody profile I meet online seems to be detailing about how they love to get on the bike and go up a mountain they love to walk up a mountain to kayak down the mountain they are looking forward to jumping in a campervan and setting off to see the world they like to travel these people have like commitments and mortgages and like children they see at the weekend ?
The mind boggles.
In the UK it’s permanently fricking pissing down even during the summer when you get into the sticks where anything is vaguely green.

Obviously I wouldn’t mind a hike if we lived in Peru or somewhere less grey.

Are they all having a different kind of midlife crisis what happened to buying a Porsche and whipping me off to 5 star hotels ?

OP posts:
Jonny1265 · 28/03/2022 22:53

I love the outdoors but don't do as much as I'd like as I'm a full time single parent and my kids only do some of the stuff I do. I love mountain biking, canoeing and hiking but I don't make a big deal of it. It's free as well once you've got the gear. We camp as a family a fair bit and my two youngest enjoy canoeing and my youngest enjoys mountain biking too. I did buy a mid life crisis sports car too😂. When I was OLD, i put on my profile that I liked the outdoors but didn't go into specifics and I didn't have any photos of me doing any activities. I wouldn't expect a prospective partner to be into everything I am either but a bit of an overlap is helpful.

Birdfooddirect · 28/03/2022 23:03

Also when does a walk become a hike?

When it gets a bit technical and hilly, lots of sliding, tree roots, flint and gnarly things. Can't get enough of it me.

Katya213 · 28/03/2022 23:03

@RantyAunty

I would treat their profiles as mostly fiction. Not too many will admit the most walking they do is from the sofa to the fridge.
🤣🤣🤣
MimosaFields · 28/03/2022 23:04

@Octomore

And yes, £70k is enough income to enable plenty of travel and adventure possibilities, both in the UK and further afield
No, it's not! Single parent here with one child at university. By the time I've paid for my mortgage, my son's rent in London, my pension contributions, travelcard etc, the amount left for holidays is minimal. I'm not poor but FAR from rich or affluent!
MimosaFields · 28/03/2022 23:07

OP, I fully agree with you. As soon as someone mentions "the great outdoors", I swipe left. First of all, I don't believe them. Secondly, I detest camping. If a man is into sleeping outdoors, I can already say we have nothing in common

ComtesseDeSpair · 28/03/2022 23:13

@MimosaFields

OP, I fully agree with you. As soon as someone mentions "the great outdoors", I swipe left. First of all, I don't believe them. Secondly, I detest camping. If a man is into sleeping outdoors, I can already say we have nothing in common
Isn’t this just exactly how OLD is intended to work? You swipe left on somebody whose interests don’t match yours, they swipe left on you because they don’t want to meet you any more than you do them? Is it a controversial point?
Cloverforever · 28/03/2022 23:16

@WhoIsCraz No, I was pointing out that some men do still buy a porsche for their mid-life crisis, rather than a camper van, as per the OP's comments.

He also bought it because a good friend of his was seriously ill, and he thought - Why the heck not? If that's OK with you?

MimosaFields · 28/03/2022 23:40

@ComtesseDeSpair , yes that's certainly how it works. I was just agreeing with the OP that any mention of "the great outdoors" is an instant turn off for me. I'm sure plenty of women like it though

outdooryone · 28/03/2022 23:56

Surely this is how you make your choice for OLD? See something you don't like, don't contact them.

Fwiw, I've spent a career outdoors, I'm in the hills, rivers and forests every weekend. I've climbed most of the Munro's, own more bikes than cars, more canoes than bikes, and too many waterproofs. My idea of a great day is outdoors.
I'm also into lush hotels or cottages, and accommodation, and while I've slept many a night in a ditch with the midges, a date involves a proper kitchen, somewhere to sit and perhaps the warm privacy of a bedroom.

thirstyformore · 29/03/2022 07:44
CharSiu · 29/03/2022 10:44

I was a big time hiker when young as was DH, 20 miles in a day scrambling up rocky terrain. I have a disability now so far less often and far less distance and not the really strenuous stuff. Did do a 3 hour hike this weekend. A hike does involve scrambling round rocks, under and over trees jumping across stones finding a path through water or taking off your boots and wading through water. Going up high in to areas where even in summer there is still snow on the ground, needing a compass and an OS map and not a tea room in sight. If you love the outdoors then a bit of rain won’t put you off.

Just swipe the other way.

gannett · 29/03/2022 11:09

I don't understand what's strange about outdoorsy profiles. I know people across the entire spectrum of outdoorsiness, from the full-on hardy explorer types to those who wouldn't dream of setting their foot down on unpaved ground. None of it is really unusual. I'm somewhere in the middle, happy to trek for hours across windswept hills and own multiple pairs of walking boots, but ideally there will be a pub at the end of it and I will not be sleeping in a tent.

I don't think any outdoorsy men really give a shit about women having perfect hair or nails.

If I wanted to go to a fancy hotel I'd rather take myself than wait for a random off OLD to take me.

PlainJaneEyre · 29/03/2022 11:18

@Casper001

What's wrong with outdoor activities.

I go running regularly and have got into hiking. Neither are massively expensive. A pair of running shoes or hiking boots and maybe a couple of hours in the car.

I have my kids at weekends. Every other weekend with a bit extra on top.

You earn 70k at year and this is beyond your means. Presumably you live on Mayfair??

No mid life crisis for me. But I'm not ready to be a fuddy duddy being nagged to death, I'm only 41. That can wait another ten years at leastGrin

But I'm not ready to be a fuddy duddy being nagged to death, I'm only 41. That can wait another ten years at least

You have a wonderful view of a relationship. Good luck on the dating scene.

layladomino · 29/03/2022 12:46

You seem quite angry at people who like being outdoors!

Each to their own. You know who to avoid. But it is entirely possible to live in the UK and enjoy walking / hiking with the family. Everyone should have a hobby, and these are hobbies you can enjoy as a family at very low cost. Throw in a picnic or pub lunch if you want to push the boat out. Fresh air, exercise, loads of fun. We've got tonnes of happy memories as a family exploring the countryside.

Katya213 · 29/03/2022 13:04

They’ve probably only been canoeing once, got the photo and stuck it on their profile to make them look a good catch.

myrtleWilson · 29/03/2022 13:10

@thirstyformore I was skimming the thread to see if anyone had posted that! @Nothappyatwork you need to hook up with Evan Dando

Casper001 · 29/03/2022 13:59

@PlainJaneEyre a sense of humour helps :)

Tippletopple · 29/03/2022 14:29

[quote MimosaFields]@ComtesseDeSpair , yes that's certainly how it works. I was just agreeing with the OP that any mention of "the great outdoors" is an instant turn off for me. I'm sure plenty of women like it though[/quote]
Yes, plenty of women on OLD who are as “outdoorsy” - maybe a bit more focus on paddle boarding maybe.

Frogium · 29/03/2022 16:24

I find your post quite weird OP. A lot of men and women are great at hiking and skiing and mountaineering and it's not midlife crisis at all. Maybe try to be a bit more open minded? You are not forced to date men you have nothing in common with, just swipe left and move on to those that enjoy fine dining

seensome · 29/03/2022 20:10

I guess there is a lot of care free men still even over the age of 35 that want a travelling partner also without any responsibilities or is it their way of saying they want something casual as not many women are going to want that life permanently and they won't be around much! If you aren't going.
I swipe past as I'm a full time working mum, I'd rather just walk to the restaurant or bar than hiking.

HowlongWillThisTakeNow · 29/03/2022 20:22

So why not just state on your profile that you want to meet a Porsche driving, £70k earning man to whisk you off to 5 * Hotels…, I’m sure all the outdoors types will give you a miss.

ComtesseDeSpair · 29/03/2022 20:23

@seensome

I guess there is a lot of care free men still even over the age of 35 that want a travelling partner also without any responsibilities or is it their way of saying they want something casual as not many women are going to want that life permanently and they won't be around much! If you aren't going. I swipe past as I'm a full time working mum, I'd rather just walk to the restaurant or bar than hiking.
But in fairness, I doubt they’re trying to attract single mums with ties or women who’d rather be at home watching Netflix. I’m a childfree woman and I do want that kind of life permanently. Plenty of women I know do.
seensome · 29/03/2022 20:36

@ComtesseDeSpair good for you, strange why your on Mumsnet as a childless woman and not busy travelling than taking your time out to be here.

Octomore · 29/03/2022 21:39

There are loads of child free women on mumsnet. It's really not that strange.

HumptyDumpty2022 · 29/03/2022 21:50

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.