May 18, 2026

 Monday. Left at 10. Nikor (damp and wet roads underneath the trees from overnight rain; bricks, of course, mostly dry). Fairly mild, mostly overcast, with moderate winds out of the southwest. Biltse Rading, de Bilt, Bilthoven to Den Dolder and the trail. Outer route up the Amersfoortse Berg to Laan 1914 and Dodeweg. Then for something new, around Leusden: Heiligerbergerweg and Driftakkerweg. Bike path to Horsterweg. Into the other world. Stoutenburg. In Achterveld, rain. Back toward Leusden, then Kanaalweg to Langesteeg, Hamersveldseweg, and De Mof. Back through De Treek, Trekerweg, and a detour past lots of money in Zeist. Another shower just before the city. Paper at Møs. Russia and Ukraine look a bit like exhausted heavyweights trying to land as many punches as possible before the bell. There have been some signs that Moscow may be looking for a way out, and the Ukrainian president has urged the EU to select a point person in case negotiations get underway. We'll surely have to wait until the Russian president completes his visit to Beijing. And even though one can't rely on Washington these days in European security matters, the U.S. will surely have to be at the table too if talks get organized, if only because Moscow will need a friend there. Let's hope the White House will send a couple of businessmen, they always cut the best peace deals--and fast.