Alexis hopes she doesn't end up with her legs in the air on 5th date

by Alexis Thompson
Girl Friday
Wednesday, 21st December 2011

Oh, I do love Christmas. The snow, (a possibility but still could happen in time for the big day), the mulled wine, Wham’s Last Christmas on the radio. Bliss.

This week I’m going on my fifth (yes fifth!) date with my new guy and to get into the spirit of things, we have decided to go ice-skating.

Can you think of a more romantic setting for a date? The two of us gliding across the ice holding hands, the trees around the ice rink twinkling with fairy lights, and if I fall over then I have him to pick me up and quite literally sweep me off my feet back to safety.

I remember as a teenager, I used to go to my local ice-skating rink, The Dee Zone, every Saturday night without fail in the hope of bumping into some cute boys.

The Dee Zone's disco night was like being in a nightclub but without the alcohol. I remember the flashing strobe lights and 90s tunes, such as Snap's Rhythm is a Dancer, booming from the speakers.

At the time, I may have been a gangly bag of hormones but, when I got on the ice, all my inhibitions would vanish and I'd glide across it like Torvill and Dean in their heyday. After our skating session, all of us girls would then huddle together and dare each other to approach the boys we liked. But I didn't care about all the other boys - in Year 8, the only guy I had eyes for was Giggs.

Giggs, named after his favourite football player Ryan Giggs, is the only reason why I still, even to this day, support Manchester United. He was gorgeous and, with his curly blonde hair, big green eyes and cheeky smile, every girl in my year had a crush on him. But, in spite of hanging out at the Dee Zone every Saturday night where I knew he'd be and throwing some acrobatic moves to impress him on the ice, Giggs never seemed to notice me.

Ahem, sorry, I digress... But the point I'm trying to make is that I haven't been skating since I was a spotty love-struck 14-year-old so, naturally, I’m a little apprehensive about getting back on the ice.

We’ve decided on the outdoor ice rink at the Natural History Museum, a very picturesque and romantic spot, which is a perfect place for loved-up couples.

I’m also hoping that an activity-based date is going to take the pressure off us to engage in witty and entertaining conversation throughout the evening..I certainly don’t feel very witty or entertaining after the last three Christmas parties I’ve been on this week.

The main thing is I won’t need to impress this new guy like I had to do with my teenage crush. This is the first guy I’ve met in a long time, who I don’t feel the need to impress. Which has to be a good thing right?

As for Giggs, I wonder what he’s up to these days? I hope he's not reading this blog.

topic tags: christmas, icebreaker, relationships

share your thoughts...

related articles

about the author

Alexis is a 27-year-old and very often, cash-strapped journo, searching for her ideal man in London. After being single for almost a year, since splitting with her first long term love, she's decided to ditch the night clubs and bars, and start finding more mature and sophisticated ways of meeting her Mr Right. Join her every Friday as she describes the trials and tribulations of discovering love in a city that has little time for romance, as well as offering advice to those in search of the same thing or who may not have realised they've already found it.

Alexis writes a weekly blog for Dating Trail. If you'd like to be be first to find out about her next installment then please follow us on Twitter or 'Like' our Facebook page for updates.

see also...

• Latest dating news and advice
• Find dating events near you...
• Compare the best online dating sites