I can stand in the middle of São Paulo surrounded by traffic, voices, engines, music. Yet experience an extraordinary inner quiet. I find this happening often as I walk these chaotic streets. That’s not to say they are always chaotic. The suburbs can be quiet, with only birds, rustling trees and my own thoughts. Sometimes there is no escape from them. Then there is my other home. I can stand alone on a Scottish hillside, with almost no sound at all, while my mind is deafening

I was in a crowded place In a room with no one there You came into my life You came with things to share Music, pictures and poetry The things we both adore A written word, a soulful song And links to so much more I lost love, before it had begun I lost love, thought you were the one But found a friend, loyal & so true Yes, I found a friend, the day that I found you Daytime’s here, it slowly passes As I am waiting for the night For that’s when we’re together That’s the time t

They dropped into the caissons deep Where iron walls held back the sea Mud and rock beneath their feet Where every breath came painfully The briggers walked the narrow beams No harness there to stop their falls Icy winds tore at their skins Above the tidal squalls Iron in the blood steel in the sky We built a giant so it never dies Red as the dawn strong as the tide The Forth Bridge stands and we stand by its side Young lads worked with red hot steel With rivets flying