Koninginnedag

Finally discovered where the Engh (as opposed to the Eng) is in Soest. As that's where the market on Queen's Day is. Had a brief wander over it later in the afternoon after the rain had stopped.

Archers Folk in Utrecht

A week later - Leaf Explosion

Spread out the sprouting pumpkin and melon seeds today.

The Marmite has landed

Perfect Day

Cycled to Hilversum in perfect spring sunshine to pick up my t-shirt for tomorrow's race. Despite not getting there as early as I'd planned and fearing that the scary computer shop would be packed with Saturday afternoon madness I was able to sort out new headphones for mYpod quickly in a miraculously empty shop. When I passed again later it was heaving and the boys (infants...) said that it had been busy earlier too. Afterwards went across to Ingrid's bagel cafe and used the vouchers I've had in my bag for months to acquire a large cappuccino and a wonderful bagel with truffle flavoured cream cheese, avocado and tomato. Talked with a slightly weird woman who came to sit next to me and declared that this was the best place in town for people watching. Afterwards wandered over the market and bought wholegrain rolls and carnations and some hair stuff that was being sold at a fraction of the normal price. Was handed some free samples of some new Lipton tea. Found a bookstall with lots of good quality paperbacks - I'll have to go back sometime with Janneke I think. Then a shop where they had the tablecloth-hangers I'd been looking for. Finally dropped into Body Shop and bought a couple of things as presents in between trying out various moisturisers and then let the girl at the till make me buy a membership card thing which gives me a reduction on future purchases and a gift on my birthday equal in worth to the price of the card (so, it works out free whilst still subtly luring you to buy more stuff there - clever).



Stopped off at the IJssalon in Soest for my first ice-cream of the year - a cone with white chocolate and hazelnut flavours.




I'm not usually one for going into town on Saturday as too many people swarming about annoy me generally but this afternoon worked out fine. (I did turn back after venturing briefly into the narrower main shopping street, thought I'd quit while ahead.) Most of the way home found myself humming Lou Reed's Perfect Day. Got home and made tea to drink while I unpacked all my goodies on the garden table.

Future Pumpkins and Melons?

First signs of life from the seeds I planted just over a week ago.

Lodgerdog weekend

Friday evening we had a walk around the grounds of Kasteel Groeneveld in Baarn.














Saturday night there was a party in Houten so Sproet stayed in the van and got brought the occasional bitterbal or piece of sausage. At one in the morning we went for a walk about the empty streets there.
Sunday he came along for part of my run along the length of the Afsluitdijk.

When not out and about he spends most of his time sleeping under my desk.

Zaterdag Stoffenmarkt

I needed some orange material for an order of badges so went to the market this morning to see what I could find.

4 poster bath

I occasionally find myself telling people about my 4-poster bath in the crumbling mansion in Doorn. Realising that I don't have any digital photos of it I searched through a box of envelopes full of prints and found these.

In the outside door you can see the pipe where the water drained off.

Upgraded Garden Stuff

As a reward for my efforts the other day I miraculously acquired 2 chairs and a table this afternoon. They fitted perfectly in the wee blue van so when I was offered them I didn't hesitate to load them in and take them home.

Garden Spring Clean

Have just spent an hour tidying up the yard (using this Americanism as it does somehow describe my outside space better than garden, as it's only just bigger than a few square yards, is mostly paving and the words 'patio' or 'terrace' sound too pretentious for it). Late afternoon spring sun was exactly the right temperature to work in. I remember being reluctant to sweep up the mounds of leaves in the autumn as they were wet and horrible and my broom had a wobbly stick which meant that the brush kept falling off. But having left the broom outside all winter the wood has now swollen so that the brush is now firmly attached to the stick and it is a pleasure to work with. (If only all of life's problems could be solved by ignoring them for months...)

Easter Eggs

Forgot to post this over the weekend.