I was born in the UK, and grew up with my grandparents in a little village called Agricola. Our home was large, with three verandahs; a huge backyard, where we reared animals; and an enormous front garden, which was decked with hibiscus that provided a hedge, bougainvillea, which arched the gateway, and tall sunflower clusters that beamed from every corner of the yard.

In the evenings I would sit on the front verandah and watch the birds fly home,...