smh81 - The world is not enough...without someone special to share it with!

Having just completed a 12-month 'career break' during which I experienced many amazing things around the world, I have realised that it would be so much nicer to be able to share all the good times (as well as the occasional not-so-good ones!) with somebody special! And I'm not talking just about travel experiences, but also about the smaller pleasures in life like seeing a beautiful twilight sky or having a picnic on a hot summer's day. Life is better when shared!
I'm now back to the reality of looking for jobs and houses again, and I'm surprisingly rather excited about the prospects of going back to work and having my own bills to pay again! I don't have any more big trips planned, but travelling is still one of my passions and I love nothing more than spontaneously booking a short break in Europe whenever I have a few days off work...again, preferably with a special someone! I also enjoy going for days out, whether to a historic town, the beach or the countryside...I just love to wander around, soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a nice meal at the end of the day! I enjoy watching films and swimming too.
About me as a person, I'm very loving, affectionate and genuine, and so would like to meet someone with similar characteristics! I can be a little shy when I'm in a big group of people, but am much more outgoing in smaller groups or indeed in one-to-one situations! I have to admit I'm not much of a party animal and would rather spend an evening in a quiet, low-key bar or country pub instead of a noisy club! I don't mind the odd drink, but am not the kind of person who would go out intentionally to get drunk! In terms of what I'm looking for in a woman, the most important thing is a good personality and a big heart (sorry, is that two things?!). Oh, and the ability to be a good friend is a 'must' too!