Rewarding myself.

On fridaymorning an unpleasant job is awaiting me and the sun is shining so inviting. All week I couldn't find time to have a nice ride. I wasn't exactly looking forward to the job. Then I called myself to order, that the bike wouldn't leave the shed before the chores were done. Works perfect...

Preparation...
It is almost noon, when I have finished the chores in the house. First I'd better grab something to eat, then I have all the time in the world. Roel comes walking in and we have lunch together. Then I put on my sports-long-John, legging and leather pants and take the bike out of the shed, before I dress up fully. It is near one o'clock by the time I drive off.

On the way...
First I take the A-road to Leeuwarden, then I pass Lekkum to ride the Canterlandse weg. Last year it was here that I caught the first lambs on my retina. It is only 7 degrees and there is a fresh wind, but from time to time the sun accompanies me. Between Lekkum and Miedum there are some nice curves. Today I don't go straight on to the Elfsteden-bridge, but I turn left towards Wyns, where I see the first co-biker-enjoyer. I move on to Burdaard and turn left into the direction of Ferwerd, passing Jislum, Genum and Hogebeintum. From Ferwerd I turn into the direction of Holwerd and of course I have a look on the pier.

Fabulous view...
When I make a left turn near Holwerd into the direction of the pier, some cars are oncoming. At this time of year there is never that much traffic. That can only mean one thing. When I cross the seadike, I see that the ferry is just in. That makes nice pictures all the time. There is a strong west wind. It is low tide and now one can see the fairway clearly. I'd better make a picture of that with my bike in the foreground. And then it is departuretime for the ferry. I keep making pictures. There will probably be a nice one amongst them later on, despite the wind. I have the feeling, that I can't keep the camera steady, that all the pictures will show movement.

Curious...
Now that we have a very warm spring, I am curious if there are any bulbs in bloom yet. So I drive from Holwerd towards Ternaard. The well-known dikeroad, where many a biker gets fanmail from CJIB (fines). In Ternaard I keep left towards Wierum. Last year here were fields filled with tulips, but there is only ploughed grey clay. I will have to be more patient for a while and so I drive by hantumhuizen towards Dokkum. There I take the main road home. It was quite fresh, certainly on the bare clay. On my trip I could only greet two bikers. But, then again, it is an ordinary working day.

Betty Smit.
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