Hi there!

The name is Heckles and I now find myself in the pursuit of a new friend or two, someone insane enough considerate enough to maybe give this bumbling idiot a chance :)

It's been quite the days gone by since I last did something like this, and I don't really know how much interest there will be in talking to a washed up, mid-30s cranky Brit like me but I will do my absolute best to come across as glorious and interesting!

Background:

• I was born a few decades ago so slightly older than your average poster here, old enough to be bouncing around like a little blob when a certain Margaret Thatcher was shouting: No! No! No!
• I was born in the glorious county of Cum-bree-a!, a real northern part of England and only a few miles from the border between England and Scotland. I have been blessed with a unique accent that makes me sound Scottish, at least that's what everyone suggests when I travel around.
• Spent a considerable amount of my life working a variety of odd jobs from bull ***** farms to flogging "posh" biscuits in a supermarket. I'm not really your academic type, nor do I have a fancy degree or anything, but I do what I can to get by :)
• Not quite content with just sitting on my backside and doing the same old thing in the same old town, I once packed up my crumbled clothes and took off to live in Sweden for a good few years before calling it a day and heading home.
• I once fell through a bus stop window whilst walking through the town late at night and I may or may not have a cheeky pint or two before this!
• My first entitlement to vote came in the 2010 General Election and will confess my most heinous secret... I voted for David Cameron and I have not quite forgiven myself 13 years later.

Hopefully that gives you a little background on me who I am, and there is also a lot more to share if someone is brave enough to dare consider me a potential friend :P

Interests:

• Wandering - I like to get off my little backside when I can and get travelling around the world and see what other cultures have to offer. I have been fortunate enough to visit Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Spain, Sweden and I have also visited the good ol' US of A several times recently. I am hoping to add Croatia, Italy and the Netherlands to the list in the coming months!
• Postcards - I enjoy sending out postcards to people, though I kinda have to know you a little before I can summon the energy to do one. They can be quite crude, that's just me, but they always have the most impeccable taste :P
• Doodles - I am absolutely no artist but I sometimes like to do little doodles for myself and others, and occasionally I might just do one for you. I did this self-portrait from my old pub days.
• Genealogy - this has kinda taken a back burner for a while but I am really interested in learning about family history, both my own and that of others, and I'll hopefully be able to start a new project in the coming months. More than happy to share all the dark secrets of my barmpot family!
• Pubs - not so much now because I am getting old and it's not worth the 3-day hangover, but I do enjoy a good country pub and a good pint of ale from time to time. There's something quite nice about finding a country pub during the winter months, one with a crackling fire.
• History - I am a bit of a nerd for history and right now I am obsessing over the Titanic and reading a book or two on it.
• Music - I am always listening to music and my favourite style is Irish folk and rock, and I am also open to people sharing other genres. I sometimes like to make Spotify playlists with other people 'cause I think it's a good way to get to know someone :) Here, have a tune!
• Reddit - aye, I waste a ridiculous amount of my life on this site but it is what it is!

Well, that's some of my interests so hopefully I haven't bored you all to death yet :D

Unfortunately I have no real interest in video games and the other common things you see here but that's just me. Actually, the closest people in my life share no similar interests with me so I must have something going for me... Or maybe they just take pity on me!

Some stuff:

Firstly, I feel it's important to know I am in this for the long term and I will match the effort and energy anyone else is prepared to put in. I am quite the busy bunny these days but I have found myself with some free time, though I am not really interested in people who just send the odd line of words because I'm too old and cranky to be bothered pulling conversation out of you.

I value a genuine approach, I appreciate honesty and I always admire those who are just prepared to be themselves. I'm not bothered what skeletons you might have from your past, I don't care about any mistakes you have made and I am not fussed about the way you identify.

I can sometimes be a cheeky and sarcastic sod so be prepared for that, and if you take things a wee bit personal then we may not get on. I am just who I am but I always mean well :)

I would love to hear from people in the UK, Europe and the US (Georgia in particular) or anywhere else really. Oh, and I am happily engaged and I have absolutely no interest in talking to unscrupulous people ;)

Just give me a shout if you're interested!