23 Chandra's Coriander

Sometimes I have an idea for a song but don't know how to work it; so I end up with two seemingly unrelated experiences combining to tell the story.

There's a place near my home which is geologically primitive; insofar as the surface - the rocks and forest running down to the sea - is the result of a tumultuous landslip which occurred during the last century - quite recently in the scheme of things.

I walk there often and feel the wonder of roaming into the undergrowth or climbing the cliffs. I sense that, every now and then, I will step on a piece of ground upon which no other human being has trodden. It is a profoundly spiritual place where I find peace and inspiration.

And then - I was with Roger Glover, walking along an Algarvean beach swathed in mist, discussing the renaissance of our music, albeit a difficult rebirth.

That evening we went to 'India', Chandra Patel's restaurant in Almancil. Chandra explained the history of his coriander sauce and Roger's frown faded for the first time since he'd arrived in Portugal.