Simulating Belgium: on a cold and rainy day
Wednesday April 26, 2017, 7 km - Total so far: 22 km
We're planning a bicycle tour to Belgium, more specifically to Flanders, this summer. I'm looking forward to the beautiful and interesting towns and their architecture, good chocolate, a variety of beers, flat countryside and an extensive network of bike paths. What's not to like about Belgium? Well, I just googled belgium+climate. The entry starts out with "the climate of Belgium is cool and wet". Further on I read "precipitation is frequent" and "summer in Belgium is pretty cool on the coast... there is no shortage of clouds and rains". They didn't say anything about the wind... Let's not even think about the cobblestone streets. Let's think about chocolate and beer.
I will be prepared. As it didn't look like the weather was going to improve, I went out for my ride at 8:30 this morning. It was 4°C/39°F. Fortunately, I was already home when it began to rain - with a mixture of big gloppy snow flakes. Now I know that my new rain jacket is not warm enough for these temperatures, in spite of the long-sleeved merino shirt and fleece jacket I was wearing underneath.
Remember?...the theme for my rides is to get some shots that look like I am out in the country and not in Munich at all. My destination today was the Englischer Garten, one of the largest urban parks in the world, larger than Central Park in New York or Hyde Park in London. Who woulda thought! The park was given its name because it was laid out in the style of an English country park as opposed to the style of formal French gardens. The park is close by and promised some good photo opportunities for my theme.
Today I cycled around in a very small area at the southern end of the park where I still found plenty to see and photograph.
We're planning a bicycle tour to Belgium, more specifically to Flanders, this summer. I'm looking forward to the beautiful and interesting towns and their architecture, good chocolate, a variety of beers, flat countryside and an extensive network of bike paths. What's not to like about Belgium? Well, I just googled belgium+climate. The entry starts out with "the climate of Belgium is cool and wet". Further on I read "precipitation is frequent" and "summer in Belgium is pretty cool on the coast... there is no shortage of clouds and rains". They didn't say anything about the wind... Let's not even think about the cobblestone streets. Let's think about chocolate and beer.
I will be prepared. As it didn't look like the weather was going to improve, I went out for my ride at 8:30 this morning. It was 4°C/39°F. Fortunately, I was already home when it began to rain - with a mixture of big gloppy snow flakes. Now I know that my new rain jacket is not warm enough for these temperatures, in spite of the long-sleeved merino shirt and fleece jacket I was wearing underneath.
Remember?...the theme for my rides is to get some shots that look like I am out in the country and not in Munich at all. My destination today was the Englischer Garten, one of the largest urban parks in the world, larger than Central Park in New York or Hyde Park in London. Who woulda thought! The park was given its name because it was laid out in the style of an English country park as opposed to the style of formal French gardens. The park is close by and promised some good photo opportunities for my theme.
Today I cycled around in a very small area at the southern end of the park where I still found plenty to see and photograph.
This is the entrance to the English Garden nearest to me.
You smell it before you see it - fields of wild garlic (allium ursinum).
In recent years wild garlic has become very popular in Germany and many peole like to gather it for use in salads, home-baked bread, pesto - you name it. You can also buy it in the supermarket.
Everything is nice and green (thanks to the rain) but I found a patch of red,too.
It's getting to look like I'm out in the country. The Eisbach is an artificial stream that runs through the English Garden.
It's a favorite spot for river surfers. The pressure of the water emerging from an underground tunnel creates the wave. Even when it is below freezing in the winter you will find surfers here.
Saw some wildlife today - goose and gosling.
The first Mandarin duck I've seen here.
I was freezing by the time I headed back and almost forgot to support the local economy! Unexpectedly, my usual market was closed for inventory - but the challenge, the challenge! So I rode a bit further, warmed up inside the store and found the few items on my list.
Bought some tulips.
By the time I got home my bicycle and I were a muddy mess.
|
|