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.
It calls me day and night in a way that cannot be explained with words and i feel compelled not only to look after it (despite having no idea to whom it belongs) but also to create a meditation space at the edge of this special valley from which i can birth the next generation of thoughts to elevate my family & i.
In the afternoons when the sun moves to the other side of the valley there is a light here which is incomparable to any other type of lighting i have had the pleasure of sitting under and i wonder now if this is might be one of the reasons why bamboo is associated spirituality?
Back when i was just a teenager i learned about 'The Dream Machine' of William Burrows, a rotating card cylinder with cut out shapes around a light bulb which emulates a hypnotic state Burrows experienced while in a moving car with closed eyes and the light of the setting sun on his face was obstructed by equidistant trees along the edge of the road.
Here you can see Brian Bysin & William Burrows using the machine in 1972.
I reproduced the machine when i was at University in 1998, interested to experience the results from a Technics turntable in my bedroom and indeed there was some kind of strange sub-reality hypnotic state to be achieved after spending a relative amount of time with this flickering of light upon the eyelids.
So as i sit here now at the edge of this bamboo forest, a quarter century later, i realise this hypnotic state is achievable in other situations, in this case with wind and a multitude of bamboo leaves intermittently blocking the setting sun from my eyes.
Where it will take me who can say?
On our first day here Esteban found a four leaf clover on this land and i mentioned it in a post at the time as a good omen.
One year on i have created a water catchment area which has netted us almost 300L in the last three weeks. This water will be useful if the canal stops for any reason.
A double infinity Empowerment cubit bed, connected to the village canal.
A conventional bed also connected to the canal and a chicken enclosure which is currently occupied by rabbits. (Chickens coming soon!)
And let's not forget the spiral BBQ area where everyone can relax.
A few weeks ago i finished the bamboo door which separates the land from the steep drop down to the bamboo forest beyond, on the edge of the stone circle.
It feels good sitting here, playing games at the edge of the valley.
The stone BBB makes my coffee in the mornings.
While in the afternoons it holds a cushion made by sabrina.
Her first cushion in fact!
Just about visible in this shot, creating a comfortable place to sit.
Inevitably i couldn't help but push a bit further into that bamboo forest, so tempting and close.
And it didn't take long for Esteban & i to recognise the potential here.
I wouldn't really classify the area as 'safe for children' so a platform of sorts was needed, upon which i could meditate and they could play.
You can see the proximity of the stone circle seating area in this shot.
Luna is happy because i also made a swing at the edge of the 'jungle' now known as Paradise.
There was a big hole in the ground here but have been able to make it safe in my own way using items found around the village and forest.
For the most part i am clearing the forest of dead bamboo and using this for the wall.
The floor on the other hand will have a healthy mix of live green bamboo to hold it strong over that hole.
Once i am done building the floor i will hang a comfortable seat from this rope and it will provide an extremely pleasurable spot for relaxing.
When it's all finished i will make a video for you as i think it will make quite an enjoyable tour now.
Sabrina's brother bought Esteban a mini drone for Christmas and needless to say he is captivated by it.
He has been flying around the garden with a surprising amount of accuracy.
We've had so much rain this month the mushrooms are shooting up in abundance. These ones grow next to our garden and i eat them most days. No idea what they are called but they taste decent enough.
These flowers are picked from our garden. Really enjoy making inventive bouquets each week, this one featuring radish & sorrel flowers as the 'wild cards' of the bunch.
Thanks to a friend in Romania i became aware of borsch recently, made with corn flour, wheat bran, sourdough starter & bread.
I was keen to try it out and have been incredibly surprised by its familiar sour flavour. One can add it to soups or just drink the stuff direct in the mornings, which is what i tend to do. Live bacteria basically, a healthy probiotic.
I am also adding borsch to my elderflower cordial, producing a lightly fermented flowery wine/cider type drink and could write an entire post on the mental journey this drink has taken me on. In a nutshell it tastes great and if anyone is interested in a borsch recipe this is the one i am using with a few additions.
Here are the five kittens currently trashing our courtyard, in this shot just waking up from an afternoon siesta.
Posing indoors for the camera here.
Sleeping here.
In the last few days they have taken to sleeping in the avocado pots.
This is Ron the first. With Ron the second behind him. I have been really taken by Ron the first, he knows me so well and starts purring if i as much as look at him.
All five of them already have their owners however and in a few weeks they will one by one disappear into the world and learn to make their own way, leaving behind the two adult females and one male, known as Baby Cat.
Last thing to mention is that i am 48 years old today!
Sabrina made me a cake and snapped this shot a few hours ago. Esteban, Luna, myself & Baby Cat.
I'm not much into celebrating my own birthday any more. Better i think to reserve celebrations for great achievements and those wonderful rare and unexpected things in life, like finding a bamboo forest at the bottom of your garden ;)
Love & Light everyone 🌱
