18/22 plum.blossom.lake.梅.花.湖

the weather decided to be dry (and sunny) today. it's such a different after a day of heavy rain.

you woke up really early, around 6am to make up of the time you lost due to bad weather a day before. you took your bike from the bnb while everyone is still asleep

 and of you go for a ride around the lake, the view in the morning is very different

 and in fact you ride around the lake for 3 times and it's really a relatively small lake, along the way, you only see a few elderly people doing the morning walk or the hard core jogging around the path

 it's indeed beautiful, "as a deer panted for water, so my soul long after thee...." moment like this always draw you closer to God and His beautiful creation....

 let alone you spotted some squirrels on the tree, the village may be still sleeping but the nature is in play

 you left the lake area feeling you still not have enough ride, so you venture out to the road along the cycling path to roam around the village.  yilan is a province of agriculture where most inhabitants are farmers or fishermen.  the country side scenery is calming and slowing down your pace

 and you cycle back to the lake around exploring the neighboring cafes, shops and bnb.  there are some charming ones but mostly gear towards the taiwanese romantic ambiance or something utterly european.

 the cafe you visited yesterday now sitting in the lavish greens and blue sky...  this is the impact of weather to the mood of the traveler...

on your way back to the bnb for breakfast, you decided to check out a building that look like a Christian retreat center even though at the gate there's strong warning against tourist visit.  you went in anyway and to find out it's actually the house for the homeless children run by a western missionary couples from united states.  they're friendly towards you and you had a quick visit and get to know this place and its mission.  it certainly has a lot of impact to you for the day, especially after seeing the babies and the kids and knowing a bit of history behind.  yet you find this pleasantly fits into your plan of the day.  

another.fine.summer.day

just another fine summer weekend that you decided to cycling to the old town of your city.  nothing spectacular but just because you can with such a fine weather.

the old town is rather quiet and it's probably due to the summer holidays hence it's very pleasant to walk around (not that it has much to see)

and you decided to eat dutch pancake for lunch, so this calories bom of dutch bacon, cheese, apple and cinnamon is your combo.

while he had a egg omelet.  you sat there feeling totally relaxed and taking in the sun in the mid afternoon yet it's not overpowering like the summer in italy. it's just a pleasure to soak in the sun while the breeze is a little cool to balance the heat. this is your kind of summer day!

aperol.weather

 when life gives you sunshine, make aperal spritz out of it! you new acquaintance this season, it's none other than the italian summer cocktails.  you love the color and the taste that ends with a bit of bitterness...

 and instead of your usual gym routine, you went out for a ride with him.  just make a round circuit of the pond and to the lake.  you look at the migrant birds congregating on one roof top, it gives you the feeling that the summer season that you're enjoying is soon coming to an end as the birds are migrating to the south once again. you may be wrong with this theory but being in the month of august now does mean the half of summer is gone...

and at the lake, you look at the sunset and you know your life is beautiful, purposeful because of Him

you're staying put this (and next) week, as such when the weather is fine, you actually got the
opportunity to enjoy to the fullest.

::clouds::

you couldn't imagine this is already 2nd november and you still get the pleasant 17c and a sunny day. it's almost surreal to have this weather in november. you went out for a bicycle ride, beside a bit of head wind, you pretty much enjoy your cycling around the lake, watching the cloud.  you couldn't help but thinking of this verse whenever you see the cloud like this. it's an assurance that God is ever supreme and sovereign in your life.

isaiah 55:9 as the heavens are higher than earth, so are my ways higher than your ways

autumn.ride

the sun comes out to play today. so you decided to skip the sunday zumba session for a joy ride.  at least this is something that you can do together let alone the weather is really perfect for cycling.

first stop you check out the apple orchard at the village next to you. although there're still apples on the tree but the apple harvest season is long gone.

from here you cycle to the lake, it's good to enjoy the fresh breeze and the nature. most importantly is the precious solar therapy before mr sunshine decided to hide itself up for the winter months.

it's the moment of serenity that you cherish and this outlook that reminds you of the goodness of the Lord in psalm 23:6 surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. and i will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
all in all a maximum 6km course but your heart is contented. have a blessed sunday!

cycling.in.tuscany

your days in montespertoli are active ones... you woke up in the morning, grab one of the bicycle and ready for a "fun" ride...

it took you some moments to really get use to sliding the bicycle down the slope.  you're too acquainted to the lowland and no longer use to the hilly landscape, let alone riding on a unpaved road with 30% incline and a pond along the route.  nevertheless, after the initial cold feet, you slide it down with cold sweat each time...

 he has no issue with going down the slope, it's just some 300m away from the main reception building and the restaurant where the breakfast is served.  after the sliding down, you have to peddle extra hard to climb the similar incline up the slope.  most mornings, your heart was pounding and you're panting, sweating before you park your bike and have your breakfast.

 on the return journey, this is the slope that you cannot overcome during the entire duration, the road is just too bumpy and you could at most cycled to 3/4 to the top, the last 1/4 you have to push your bicycle up....

you're not complaining, in fact the 300m distance adds some elements of adventure and sweats to the farm stay experience...

::texel::

 first trip to one of the islands in the northern region of lowland

 first time cycled for 25km in a day (another record)

 upclose and personal encounter with the nature, the sheep, the cows and the lambs

 carrying this vintage picnic basket

and picnic in style just next to the farm land

 and then you spent the rest of the afternoon sun tanning

just being lazy and occasionally bringing the kids to the sea to play with sea water

 and then a long bicycle ride back to the ferry point to catch the ferry back to the main land

by then you're tired and burnt but still you enjoy watching the sea gulls flying around and the sea breeze kissing your face

back to the mainland, you have to walk for 10 min or so to reach your car, and you chose to walk on the dunes for the view

as you turn back, while the ferry is journey away towards the island, you thought this is the best picture of the day.

::cycling::

he took your bicycle for service and now it is in good condition.  may has been very wet so far, it's almost feels like autumn days with rain clouds, showers and chilly wind.
let's hope the low pressure air will leave the lowland soon and you can ride on your bicycle again.

real.summer

real summer because this is the first on the weekend.  the first ever weekend that you can wear your sleeveless, sunnies and your crocs without feeling chilly. a real summer weekend doesn't need to be extra-ordinary, but just doing things that you don't normally do on your ordinary weekday routine.  

such as cycling to the city...

 

appreciating the groomed flowers in the neighborhood

pause and talk to the duckies, admiring their beautiful silhouette reflected on the water

 enjoying the normal weekday's bread but in an elaborated brunch setting and taking all the time you have sipping your cuppa coffee without worrying it will turns cold...

and enjoying the brunch in an outdoor setting with a lot of sunshine

taking the moments to soak in the wild lawn full of summer flowers raise by the mother nature, even though there is nothing spectacular...

strolling the old part of the city in the festival atmosphere

 enjoying a taste of summer with ice cream (yogurt and caramel)

and above all, being thankful for the little things in life.

another.spring.ride

it's a beautiful and warm saturday.  you are home alone and find it hard to relax even you have been busy in the kitchen whole morning.  you decided to go for another bicycle ride, taking the scenic route that you normally drive if you are going to work.

you cycle. you stop at whatever that is appealing to you. be it a bunch of flowers, a tree, some animals or even just some farm houses. you just take all the time you have to enjoy a leisure ride.

you spot some yellow forsythia on your way, such a yellow plant that signifies the arrival of spring, just like the many daffodils...

you walk to the farmland, approaching a black sheep but he ignores you completely. he was enjoying his sun, too comfy to even say hi to you...

 you turn to the white sheep, he is too also in his own warm cloud nine and doesn't want to be disturb or even doesn't notice there is an intruder at close distance.

you go on, further, and even further away from home....

and finally you decided to turn back, otherwise it will be an extremely long journey home....

 at this part of the journey, you have the strong warm wind against you.  it's very comfortable and almost put you to sleep but the ride becomes harder as no matter how hard you peddle, the bicycle isn't moving at the expected speed

so, you give up. you take a break on the side bench and decide to let the wind kiss your face freely.  after all it is a pleasure to have a close encounter with the nature...

 at some point  you cannot recognize the place any more but you are not lost because you know your direction. it's just you have never travel this route before, it's a new discovery...

 and a deserted boat on the canal. you have the urge to jump into it and sail on...

you look at this canal and straight ahead, wondering in your mind if you really hop on to the boat where will this canal lead you to? to the kaag lake, to the north sea? but in reality you are going no way. no japan, no india. not even on this canal ride.  you decided not to think about your work situation and it's good that as you turn to the other direction of the canal, you see this boy.

 he waves at you after you take a picture of him.  then you meet this little boy, who is enjoying his fishing. he greets you, so you walk over for a casual chat.  at least when the animal ignored you, the little boy greeted you.

 

 and you carry on with your journey, you become a little tired, but the journey must go on...  you spot a patch of yellow that brightens you up....

and some  magnolia buds sprouting out as you approching the last part of your journey.

you don't know how far have you cycle this afternoon.  but it is certainly a good three hours journey including stops.

you have enough of natural ingredients today, you skin tone is a shade darker but somehow your mood is not any enlighten after the ride. something is bothering you in your mind.... or perhaps loner weekends in the lowland is just not as exciting as the loner weekends in tokyo...