More Lambs...

Nice that Ashlynn got to see the lambs as well. 

In the sea of white sheep...

...it was funny to see a little black lamb pushing his way to the fresh food.

The littlest lambs got a separate trough of food...

…which they clearly loved.

 

Meanwhile in Exeter...

Veronica was thrilled to be reunited with Brett over Easter. 

She was also thrilled to be back on the silks...  

…and the South West Coast Path.

They camped for a night with Paul, a fellow Exeter physics PhD student, who would be accompanying them on their big Interrail trip planned for May.

Of course, they couldn’t resist getting in the chilly water.
 

Easter Tulip Bash...

The following weekend we managed to squeeze our bikes on the train to Hillegom for another FILTH Bash through the bulb fields. Give It a Blow and Start Me Up led us on another fascinating trail with lots of fields and even some deer. 

 

Hashing in Utrecht...

On April 10, I hashed under beautiful blue skies with Wageningen H3 in Utrecht, where I saw street art...

…lovely canals...

…and a giant teapot on top of a building.

 

Something Major to Celebrate...

In early April, we were thrilled to learn that Veronica had received funding to do a PhD. Her research will utilize creative social science methods, including photography, to investigate the visual communication of climate change and future food systems. In addition to the three-year PhD in Exeter, the funding would cover her first to do a second master’s in Sustainable Futures at Exeter’s Cornwall campus. After lots of uncertainty over the last few years, it was such a relief to know she has a solid path ahead. Veronica explains more on her blog. We are so proud! 

So great that the timing worked out that Ashlynn was in town so we could celebrate together. We found the perfect restaurant for our celebration: Aloha Low Waste Foodbar in an abandoned waterslide park in Rotterdam. The Tropicana opened in 1988 but closed in 2010 since it couldn’t keep its head above water.

The dishes were designed for sharing. We tried all of the vegan options, and they were all truly delicious! The girls were especially excited to order crème brulee, which neither had gotten to eat since going fully plant-based. 

It was fun walking through the lazy river to get down to the toilets. 

The girls also enjoyed a turn on the swing. 

We arrived early enough to see the sun setting over the city.

And got to enjoy the evening lights as well. 

Guess we weren’t the only ones feeling the love that night.
 

Picture Hashing in Brussels...

The following day, we did a long hash around downtown Brussels. Rather than marking trail, the hares gave each runner an envelope with a number on the outside and a photo on the inside of a statue or other landmark. Luckily the locals could quickly identify the sites. Eventually I had to pass on my envelope so that the pack wouldn’t have to wait for me since I’m much slower, and I walked the rest of the trail with one of the hares. It was fun seeing some familiar spots and some new ones. 

It’s always fun to go past the Manneken Pis Museum and see a sample of his adorable costumes (sorry that my reflection obscures the view). 

We passed the EU Complex, where several hashers work, then circled in a park. 

Afterwards we went out for dinner at an Italian restaurant with this large poster of the Jeanneke Pis statue. After learning that our train was cancelled, Claire and Jan rescued us by offering a bed for the night. It was great visiting their lovely home after seeing many photos on Facebook about their major renovation project.