REST IN PEACE, LODE

Kind of dreaded going - but so glad I went to Lode's Memorial service.

I met Lode Braem at the first gig I ever did in Belgium back in 1972 when he was 16 & I was 31 We've been good friends for 42 years. By the time I came here to live in 1979 he was already married to Jeannine whose lovely face you can see above next to Alfred den Ouden.

Well over 300 people turned up - Jeannine had her old school-friend Rita read her dedication - but their three daughters, Ninke, Auke & Aya all took to the dais and shared their love for this special man with joy & tears.

Didn't have to understand Flemish - the message was perfectly clear...