March 23, 2025

 Left at 9 (Dom bells ringing as I stepped out). Blacksmith. Some dampness on the pavement going out, otherwise partly cloudy and mild, light south winds. Straatweg to Breukelen. Spectacular colors at some of the big houses outside of Maarssen. Galgerwaard, Geerkade, Meije, Zwammerdam, Nieuwkoop. After the coffee stop it clouded over, but the darker skies, interspersed with white and light blue, provided a good backdrop to bits and pieces of blossom, daffodils, light green buds, even the grass and the yellow reeds, especially between Noorden and de Hoef. Brilliant contrast. Same with the row of bare trees on the high dike next to the house called de Rietkraag between Waverveen and Vinkeveen. Back by way of Demmerik, Oukoop, Lage Weide, de Meern bridge. Took off the knee warmers and buff half-way through, which, while not urgent, was still tenable.