In 2003 I came with a Dutch street music band ‘de Fanfare van de Eerste Liefdesnacht’ (the Fanfare of the First Night of Love) invited by the 10th Avenue Band, a Newcastle street band. The festival was on both quaysides of the river Tyne, connected by the Millennium bridge.

For me as an architect this bridge brings it all together. The way it is built and functions; the dynamic views when it is lifted; how it dances over the water.

We had a wonderful time: lots of music, fun and friendship, with special thanks to Judy, one of the organisers. After the festival I kept in contact with Judy, and after a few months she visited Amsterdam; the start of a long lasting relationship. We travelled together and visited each other for over 10 years.

More and more we both felt that our future would be in England, particularly as I had lost my job in Amsterdam as an architect during the ongoing economic crisis. In 2014 I moved in with Judy and in 2015 we got married and had a wedding party around our house with special guests ‘De Fanfare van de Eerste Liefdesnacht’.

Millennium Bridge