I grew up in a musical family where music, song and theatre played a significant and meaningful role. We lived in a Victorian red-brick house, with acres of land, orchards and animals, a privileged life without a doubt, but not a spoiled one. My strict and, in retrospect, wise father made sure of that. My upbringing was simple and sober and Nature became a potent force and a continuing fascination for me. It remains the profoundest influence.