Two months ago Sabrina & i did a twelve day cleanse at the end of which i wrote a post indicating that i was thinking about continuing the fast for a few more days, after which you didn't hear from me again. Thank you @vincentnijman for your kind message to make sure i was alright! Yes, we are all doing great. I did 13 days without solid food in the end and one of the most unexpected side-effects has been a sudden and complete lack of interest in this computer, so other than reading PDFs and the occasional bit of research it has been used for little else over the past 2 months, giving me more time for nature which continues to delight in so many ways.

Having now done the recommended 12 days on nothing but water, maple syrup, lemon juice, cayenne pepper and laxative teas i should technically be ready to start easing back to solid food again with fruit juices for the next few days but i am in fact feeling good and keen to continue further with the cleanse.

Sabrina & i are currently on day six of The Master Cleanse, drinking a mixture of pure water, maple syrup, lemons & cayenne pepper. No food permitted, just this drink. Around 8 glasses a day for a total of 12 days. Didn't think i would have much energy but in fact i do, so i will endeavour now to tell you the key points behind this cleanse, created by Stanley Burroughs in the 1940s.

Our recently discovered bamboo forest at the bottom of the 'Spiral Garden' has yielded many joys over the last month, inspiring me amongst other things to build a platform overlooking it. From here one can relax in a suspended seat and enjoy the view or simply close their eyes and appreciate the sound of the river below, accompanied at all times by a chorus of birds unlike any other i have found here in the South of France.

I tried in my last post to describe the incredible beauty of the bamboo forest we recently found at the bottom of our garden and why this place feels so special but only today did i manage to actually finish the platform and snap a few images worthy of your time.

When i took on the latest piece of land one year ago, basically as a favour to a friend who doesn't have time to look after it herself, i had no idea it would lead me to a small area at the back which overlooks a lush valley filled with bamboo and a huge variety of birds, at the bottom of which there is a rushing river and a realisation that no one ever comes here, except myself and the pigs.