Springtime 2009

This winter we had the coldest winter in 12 years!! Strange, because
everybody is talking about global warming and in the same time it's
freezing here! :-)
I know, they told us that because of this global warming the weather
become more unpredictable, and that's true.
However: we don't feel it so much in the Netherlands, because weather
is ALWAYS unpredictable overhere!!
I used this nice cold time in this winter to have a long ice skating
tour between Roggebot (near Kampen) and Elburg. This long lake is
created between the original main land of the Netherlands and the Polder
Oost Flevoland. In summertime it is very popular for sailing and
swimming and other kinds of water recreation, but now only for ice
skating.
This is SO MUCH better than skating in an artificial ice skating
ring!!! On the lake you can skate along the sides with the high reed
protecting you from the harsh wind.
On the following website you can see the photos I made during this
trip:

http://picasaweb.google.com/akeijzer/SchaatsenOpHetVeluwemeer#

Now, in the beginning of March I can see new green emerging from the
soil. The first blossoms are in the trees, and small flowers bloom
already. Still we know that untill May the weather will be very
unpredictable and it can freeze during the nights.
This is a tricky period for nature: don't show too much, or you will
die!!
What we CAN notice is that the day's are getting longer. Early light in
the morning and longer light in the evening. I don't need to swith on my
light on my bike when I go to my work in the morning.
In the garden many birds are wondering about, looking for food or
company.
All signs explain the development of nature!! Especially in this
"Darwin Year" :-))

Hope you feel the warmth and see the colours of the new Spring!!!!