FiFTY SOMETHING MALE, fit, self employed, GSOH, looking for a charming, intelligent, good looking woman, into philosophy and fun...

These are stories about the adventures and misadventures of middle-aged men, looking for a new intimate relationship with a woman. Serious, thoughtful, at times hilarious, and even erotic, a look at what occurs - or might not - when attraction happens. Both men and women will relate to aspects of these stories and perhaps recognise themselves in them...or maybe wish they did. What and how do men and women think at that first meeting, what actions do they take or leave, how honestly do they present themselves?

Meet Tim, the narrator of these stories..."As for me, I am 50-something, recently single again after a long marriage. What to do now? Get on the net? Go to bars, the tennis club, singles parties, ask friends, write a book, who knows? I already know that love will not fix it all, that women are neither the solution nor the enemy-not the problem or the salvation- but being loved and loving, helps and is most important to any human being. One cute curiosity is in the word 'relationship'. The word neatly breaks up into relation and ship. Relating means connecting, being able to understand another person. But Ship? Well there is romance about and on ships, a certain mystery and obviously a way of travelling, usually to exotic destinations, often for fun, or for serious business. But travelling on a ship is also a touch out of control, for we are not directing the ships movements...others do. So we are on a journey indeed often to shores we have not been to. It may be a bit risky, but we have decided to take the trip or else we have been hijacked to do so, but we are certainly on a new relating expedition."

Julie gets into a relationship with a man twice her age, can it be done? Tim goes on a new date already thinking that he should not...Neville is confused about whether he does or does not want a forever-style monogamous relationship. Rodney is looking for a woman of the opposite sex...which does not mean a woman who is frilly or silly or new age nor one who would rather be a man...Carol wants to 'test drive' a friend, Mrs Gersteiner definitely wants something from a man, but what exactly? George is in love with a lesbian...

Stories of well-meaning decent people who are a bit - or a lot - lost in their understanding of what they really want and need from an intimate partner. Sometimes we mistake friendly feelings for love that would include sexuality or else we mistake the need for sex for love. The amazing and frustrating thing is that we tend to repeat our own patterns of relating, many of which got us to this point of loneliness, and loneliness is likely the biggest motivator to find a partner, for both men and women.

The stories are presented from the male point of view, how else could they be given that the author is a man, but the tales also include what women might think or say or act on. Men look at women with their eyes, women look at men with their ears. Truth, pathos, humour and eroticism are all present in these stories of reality as people attempt to find a loving partner.

Based on true stories, all names and places have been changed to protect the not so innocent.