Can I ask for some advice please for a first date plan?

[BluesDad]

I have my first date on Sunday in 6 years since me and ex dp separated, we’re still best friends for our kids although she moved back abroad, so I just want to know from a woman’s point of view if my idea for a date is acceptable. We found each other online and messages and talking have gone very well.
We’re meeting at 11:30 and I want to take her for a coffee first before going to a nature reserve in Barnes so we can walk and talk to get to know each other during which I hope she’ll feel comfortable in my company. Then I was planning to head back to Kingston where we’ll meet to have a meal probably Thai.
Then possibly a play at the theatre there.
Is it too much?
For a bit of clarity I’m 47 and she’s 44. I’m a tradesman not an executive but she has a much more responsible job (midwife). She’s happy with what I do for a living and has already said she admires me for working hard. Having had 4 DC’s I admire her for what she does a bit more.
In a nutshell is that an Ok idea for a first date because I can’t afford to spend fortunes and she doesn’t expect it anyway? I did ask some of my mates but their answers were a little coarse to say the least.

Sorry to hear she didn’t want to meet up, don’t give up, next time suggest a coffee or lunch. I think a coffee is fine for a first date if you haven’t met in person before.
I wouldn’t have been keen on the walk and as others have said the theatre can be saved for when you’ve been on a few dates with someone.
Good luck, I’m sure you’ll find your Miss Right.

Sorry it all fell flat, OP.

Fwiw, I'm 66 and 5 years out of a 40 year marriage. I've met some horrors on old, but not given up. Yet!

Sorry ignore that message above - it cut up what I was trying to say and didn't post it all and left in something I didn't want. Let me start again :

I'm not going to get into the ins and outs of which cafe or restaurant of that area ( as I know it well too) but maybe just relax and try not to overthink next time. I have to hold my hands up here as was going to remove the "leaked out to your date". It's the person she wants to meet not a pub.

One thing at a time. Coffee - somewhere central, lots of people around.

Oops, sorry, didn't realise it didn't happen. Ah well.

Sorry it didn’t happen. I think it’s important to plan a date you would like to go on. If you try and second guess and do something out of your zone, then you’ll always be not true to yourself. I love the theatre, but would hate it for a date - you can’t talk and get to know someone. I like evening drinks, maybe some food if it goes well. Can’t stand coffee dates. But, if you like coffee dates and planning things rather than things happening organically - then that’s who you are and wouldn’t you want to meet someone who like the same things too?

You sound like a great person, hard working and very thoughtful.

Dating isn't easy. Try to keep an open mind. Theres nothing wrong with getting together with a client - its not what you do its how you do it. If you do ever come across a client that you'd like to date, just wait until after the job is done. You only need to say as you're leaving "Its been great meeting you and if you're ever free for a coffee you've got my number". Many people meet through work and your job is no different.

I hope you go out tonight and have a nice drink. Take the build up to the cancelled date as the dry run for the proper thing next time around. What's happened is just re-direction to better things to come

You could always have the coffee at Barnes - it has a nice cafe! Looking at the wildlife will give you something to talk about.

That should take up a few hours, and I'd say that's long enough for a first date!

Save the meal and theatre for future dates!

I'm so sorry - didn't read and see things had moved on!

Don't be disheartened, op, I'm sure the right person for you will come along.

I hope you don't give up in finding love. My suggestion would be to put yourself in some sort of group situation. I mean maybe a hobby you think you might enjoy or possibly a cause you think you could support, eg a Charity. That way you may meet women face to face and something may start up naturally.

Dating is a numbers game. Meet 50 people for a coffee, good chance at least one could lead to something more.

Yup. So many people take it so seriously, 'making sure they get everything right', 'what if he/she thinks I'm x/y/z?', 'what if I come across as a/b/c?' etc.

It's really just a case of realising that when you meet a compatible partner, things will feel right, good, easy, enjoyable, exciting, and if you want to spend more time together, you just will, just like you spend time with friends; because you feel like it.

I don’t think you should give up OLD, OP. It’s not something I’ve ever done myself but from what you’ve written, and from what I read on here about the dearth of decent men on OLD sites, you sound like a rare find who many women would be happy to date!