Spring Festival lanterns at Shangri-La Hotel and Jianfu Temple Tianjin 2019. [Photo by Bruce Connolly/chinadaily.com.cn]

During the recent Spring Festival holiday, I took the 30-minute, southbound train from Beijing to Tianjin. The city is not only a significant landmark in my personal relationship with China, but increasingly like a second home. I didn't to be caught in traffic and the Spring Festival rush, so the "Ford of Heaven", as Tianjin is known, was a natural choice, a place where I thought I could unwind and indulge my passion for photography.

In January this year BBC 2 Scotland program Scots in China showcased the lives of people from my Scottish homeland. Some, like me, had spent years living, working and contributing to the changes we continue to see across China. For my contribution to the show, I talked about China's railways

It's been a 32-year personal passion, during which I experienced firsthand the introduction of high-speed rail. The filming in June 2018 began in Beijing South Railway Station before continuing to the newly introduced Fuxing train bound for Tianjin – now just 30 minutes down the line. Shooting continued around several Tianjin locations before culminating at a event organized by a local AmCham (American Chamber).