They say kings are born in April. Power I have little of – at least over a nation; But Iran is currently ruling my heart and state of being.

I must have a magpie as a totem animal because I like collecting receipt stubs, local plants, odd packets and (as a mermaid once said) thingamabobs during my travels. Together with conscious purchases of hand-stamped fabrics, famous produce, decorated tiles, and nomadic tassels, this treasury is my personal capsule of Iran – a tapestry, that I guess, is a crowning gift to the once-39, coming to be the ruler of 40.