Pedaling into balance

One of the nice things about being self-employed is the opportunity to seek the right life balance, fitting the day’s necessary tasks alongside diversions that lift the soul a little.

With the arrival of nice weather, the best temptations are all in the countryside.  Especially when the day has been filled with sorting receipts and summing the accounts from a month of travel (above, left)

On a perfectly balanced day, I wrap up work by three or four, close the lid on the computer, unlock the Locomotief, and take a brisk pedal on my fiets south along the Maas towards Eijsden.  The curve of the river at Ceramique opens to green countryside beyond Groensveld.  Cyclists (and motorbikes) thin at the city limits, and I generally have the path to myself to stretch my legs into the straights.

The hills (and the cows) to roll past as I reach the holiday camp and the orchards. A right turn towards the river, then hook into the Jacht Haven for a quick spin around the perimeter to check out the boats and enjoy the breeze off the river.

The Portifino Cafe is a good midpoint for a drink and a rest to watch the people and the do a bit of reading in the late afternoon warmth, then back onto the bike for a leisurely (downwind) coast back along to the Wyck.

I don’t always get it right, but I do get closer, day by day, all the time.