My Day

By John Kilpatrick

The start of my day on the 22^nd November 2000 was a very early start, away to Newcastle at 6.30 a.m. and a taxi from New York, North Tyneside. The early start was frosty and very cold and expensive. I knew |I wanted to be on the Tyne Bridge before anyone else got there first. My spot was to be in the centre of the Tyne Bridge looking east doon river.

I was the first one there and as the morning went on many more snappers were coming onto the bridge. As the morning went on the sun was climbing in the sky and was getting brighter. I got impatient as the sight I'd come to see was running late, Then appeared out of the mist in the distance ,and it looked gigantic, as a giant crane, The “Asian Hercules” was coming into view with the lift that it was carrying. Yes the new Millennium Bridge was in sight.

I was sat away on the best spot on the Tyne Bridge as you roonded the corner of the River Tyne then the craning bridge eased very slowly up the river. Then they swung the bridge round and eased her into her final resting place, while hundreds watched from both banks of the Tyne never to see a sight like this again. I had a feeling of pride in watching it through the lens of a camera and still snapping away as it came to its final resting place. This was my most memorable day 22^nd November 2000.

When big films was developed, I saw the Millennium Bridge looking glorious with the giant “Asian Hercules” crane in the background. What a day!