March 29, 2026

Sunday. Left a little after eleven (daylight savings time). Nikor. Just a little bit of damp pavement left from yesterday's showers. On the chilly side with partial sun. Decent clouds, but mid-day light. Moderate winds out of the west. De Bilt and Den Dolder, and the railroad trail to Amersfoort. Lots of people using the newly widened trail out of Amersfoort. Belgian way up the hill, then down Vondellaan and up again by way of Balilaan, Arubalaan, and Genestetlaan. Late in the morning, but the city still very quiet. The cooler weather seems to have slowed down the emergence of blossoms and buds, although tulips are now a common sight. Down Laan 1914 and on toward Leusden Zuid and de Treek. Headwinds made it cool. Up Treekerweg, also with Sunday walkers. Down the Traaij to Arnhemse Bovenweg, roundabout to Driebergseweg, and eventually left onto the Bunsinglaan toward Bunnik. From Bunnik back to the city by way of Amelisweerd. In the news, more reports on how, after four weeks of war already, the White House and Pentagon have now given themselves the option of ground operations in Iran. And what an option it is. One wonders what will be next if, after employing troops somewhere, the Islamist regime still doesn't collapse or the Straits of Hormuz remain too dangerous for most shipping. Looking at who is in charge in Washington, it can't be good for anyone, except that it may give extra impetus for U.S. allies in Europe and Asia to make themselves less dependent on Washington and on fossil fuels. Whether that's good for those European and Asian countries remains to be seen, but the fact that its allies around the world are giving up on the U.S. where they can afford to surely isn't good for America.