A
ndrew Bone was working as a truck motorist for all the
Overseas Panel from the Red Cross
in 1993, distributing as well as medication to war-torn regions of Bosnia. At the end of the year, the guy flew to Sarajevo to pay for for the next staff member. «it absolutely was a desperate scenario to travel into,» according to him. «I became whisked directly with the organisation’s head office in a bullet-proof land-rover.» That’s where the guy spotted Tanja Todorovic for the first time. «I got this surge of adrenaline. I recently felt that I got to reach know her. It may sound like a silly fairytale but it’s true.»
During the time, Tanja had been being employed as a senior field officer for charity. Andrew got the chance to talk with the woman properly whenever they had been delivered to deliver help to a home for people with learning disabilities. «Andy ended up being very nice to the people whom existed indeed there,» states Tanja. «He was good-looking as well. All this extended, blonde, wild hair. It really is all eliminated today, definitely,» she laughs.
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Soon a while later, Tanja needed to head to Pale for a-work goal and asked Andrew are the woman driver. «the trail right back had been shelled although we have there been,» according to him. «We wound up being required to spend evening in soft. We had drinks collectively that is certainly the night time that people began our relationship.»
A few weeks later, Andrew’s cover came to an end and he ended up being delivered back to Zagreb. «I happened to be distraught. We went to the radio area and begged the workers to let me talk to the girl.» They told him it was impossible. «Eventually though they said these were nipping completely for coffee-and I found myself able to get hold of Tanja to share with their I cherished the girl.»
Soon a short while later, Tanja visited Zagreb to get to know Andrew. «I’d a Red Cross passport, which suggested I was able to take a trip out of the battle region,» she describes. They discussed the ongoing future of their own relationship and whether Tanja should return to Sarajevo. They knew they wished to be with each other along with big choices to manufacture.
The situation was complex by simple fact that they certainly were both married at the time. «My marriage was not doing exercises and Tanja was actually separated nonetheless it was really hard,» says Andrew. «in those days, Britain was actually sympathetic to refugees coming from Bosnia, therefore we chose it will be far better appear here and start to become with each other, away from the battle.»
Andrew and Tanja in 1994 in Reepham, Norfolk.
Photo: Provided by Tanja Bone
Tanja sent applications for asylum and the set had the ability to get married at the conclusion of 1994, once their particular divorces happened to be finalised. «I then had gotten long leave to keep along with 1999 i acquired my Brit citizenship,» she says.
Across the then 10 years, they moved round the UK, residing Norfolk, London, Leicester and Scotland. Andrew continued to work as a truck motorist, while Tanja obtained various functions such as employed by the
Refugee Council
and opening an organic fresh fruit and vegetable shop in Leicester.
In 2004, she went back to institution to train as a nursing assistant in addition to couple transferred to London. But they eventually realised these weren’t willing to prevent exploring. «From 2009 to 2019, we travelled around the British by-boat, transferring from spot to put,» says Tanja. They worked when they must and enjoyed their nomadic lifestyle.
When Andrew turned into sick with cancer eighteen months back, they transferred to a long-term base in Dumbarton, Scotland. «I believe actually happy getting had this type of wonderful care as a result of the NHS. I’d some operation prior to lockdown as well as today believe i’m cancer-free,» he states. Tanja remains being employed as a nurse, and the pair have-been enjoying every day walks collectively. «We love the countryside right here,» states Tanja. «if it is secure, we’re going to go back to walking for the Highlands.»
This has been 26 decades simply because they met, but Andrew claims he could be much more crazy than ever. «the woman is my personal companion and my personal every thing. Nothing has evolved for me personally ever since the minute we came across.» Tanja seems alike. «fulfilling one another has become truly life-changing. It is the most sensible thing that’s ever before happened for either people.»
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