Amsterdam and tulips

A perfect weekend to visit!

The tulips are in full bloom in Holland!    For my “hike” this weekend, Pam and I joined our friend Jen for a weekend in Amsterdam. (It’s only four hours from London via train!)  Jen kindly arranged a bike rental in Lisse, a small village south of Amsterdam surrounded by vast fields of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths – all in full bloom – where the air was sweet with the scent from hundreds of thousands of flowers.  We spent a lovely few hours riding the bike paths – the Netherlands are heaven for bikers, because nearly every street and road has an adjacent bike path, with dedicated signage. 

Vast fields of tulips, hyacinth, daffodils, and other flowers – outside Amsterdam.
Continue reading “Amsterdam and tulips”

Primrose-Regent-Guillam hike

Hiking from sunrise to chai.

There’s one important feature about an unbroken streak: one is loathe to break it. So, despite my aching back (and bruised ego) left over from last week’s hike, I was determined to get out this weekend for my 16th consecutive weekend hike. The weather was promising for sunrise – cloudy, with periods of sun – so I headed back to Primrose Hill to see what I might find.

When I arrived, a bit after sunrise, the sun was hidden behind thick clouds – just as it had when I was last standing on this spot, on solstice. Today, unlike then, patience paid off… and the sun emerged, spilling “god rays” among London landmarks like The Shard.

Sunrise view from Primrose Hill, London, with views of London landmarks.
Continue reading “Primrose-Regent-Guillam hike”