“So it’s pretty serious then?” appeared to be the common response from the remainder of people I had left to tell. An awkward and self conscious grunt of confirmation seemed suffice. Appeasing anyone unclear on the sincerity of the evidently ambiguous action of moving 195 miles north of the city I have loved, loathed and breathed for as long as I can remember (that’s London by the way).

I’ve only been living with Caroline, in the centre of Leeds for a couple of weeks now, but I really love it. It feels as busy and active as London but with a more friendly, less aggressive twist. It’s a city that seems free from the tuts and toots fired ferociously and indiscriminately from pedestrians, commuters and drivers alike.

While I remain excited at living in this new, cultured, urban environment so close to some of the most amazing rural landscapes available in England; as I sit at the desk of my new ‘home office’ I wonder how my perspective and relationship with London will change as I adapt to life with Caroline in Leeds and continue my brief but frequent trips to London.

There is no doubt that the rich cultural offerings that the numerous London boroughs provide will be something that I will greatly miss. First Thursdays, film and documentary screenings, private views and talks put on by organisations like the Photographers Gallery, Jerwood, Whitechapel and the Tate (to name a handful) are all things that I have enjoyed on a regular basis.

Over the last few years I have been lucky enough to be based near Tate Modern. This has enabled me to frequently seek sanctuary and solace in the vast building, hoarding great artistic treasures, so vast and eclectic, that I defy anyone to visit and not find one piece by which they are captivated. Browsing around the exhibitions has replenished enthusiasm for my own work uncountable times; but a lot of ideas and inspiration actually come from watching people who move around and interact with the Tate Modern space and it is these moments of people watching that will be the biggest void for me to fill in Leeds.