June 25, 2025

 Wednesday. Left around 6:45. Blacksmith. Warm, a little humid, little wind. Blauwkapel to Ruygenhoek. There, two lapwings in the field, a swan with two young in the water, and a stork right by the bike path (it flew-hopped across the canal as I approached). People at the swimming corner. Molenpolder to Nedereindsevaart. Westbroek (a couple of guys sitting outside at the bar), Achttienhoven, Korssesteeg. Dutch dinner time conditions, but there were more people taking advantage of a near perfect day. Egelshoek to Hollandsche Rading (where the restaurant was packed, with cars parked all along the road), and Maartensdijk, to the end of the Embranchementsweg. Headed toward Groenekan, passed by a loud, fast, stinking light motor bike; without wind the smell hangs around. A two-train wait at Groenekan, then de Bilt, and Utrechtseweg back into the city. No surprise to see the bars and restaurants full there also. This was the day of the NATO summit, which seems to have gone well enough. There have been many occasions in the past when allies have struggled to maintain a united front, to send a political message just credible enough for the alliance's military threat to remain real. This week, the language of the various statements was vague enough to paper over the contrast between the principles NATO is supposed to stand for and the beliefs and practices of a considerable number of its member governments--that of the largest member not excepted. And the pledge to increase defense spending, if not taken literally, is real, to judge from the steps the European members have been taking in recent months. Much juggling and follow-through remains on the table, but, having set a low bar for itself this week, you could see the alliance as having had a successful summit meeting.