March 23, 2026

Monday. Left 9:45. Blacksmith. On the chilly side, somewhat hazy, but sun. Light winds out of the northwest. Through the city to the Merwedekanaal. The world busy with the working week. Schipperspad to Vreeswijk and Lekdijk. Beyond Klein Scheveningen everything peaceful. Birdsong. Lopik to Polsbroekerdam and Oudewater. Lambs along Snelrewaard, and maybe a baby goat. Early spring coming into its own, with blossoms, forsythia, and more and more light green everywhere. Weeping willows especially beautiful now. Montfoort, Harmelen, and de Meern back into the city, to Mos. In the paper election news: populists failing to break through in large French cities, and in Slovenia, but gaining significantly in Germany. Interesting report on an emigration fair over here: all kinds of people (a growing number coming from two native-born Dutch parents) not liking it here any more, for example because the government keeps sending our money to wars that don't concern us. Imagine that: you can't or won't stay in your own country anymore, and another country lets you in, also if you're just looking for a better life. If your favorite populist turns out to be a snake oil salesman, the lucky people in this part of the world still have the option of going elsewhere.