Time. 07 08 Sun.
Another early morning, woken by the dog. Harvey has been (unofficially) renamed ‘Poop-Machine’. When Ash woke up we made coffee and then went for a walk with PM to explore a bit. Took the pup off his lead and let him get used to roaming around a bit. Two young girls on rollerblades spotted him and came over, and the three of them had a ball together. It’s incredible to see how much joy a puppy can bring people. Harvey’s personality is really starting to develop and that’s also a special experience, watching the little guy getting the hang of life.
We stopped for breakfast at Bar Spek were we ate, drank coffee and read through the morning papers. We strolled home and there was a moment when it was completely quiet, a rarity in a city like Amsterdam. No trams moving, no cars on the road, not a bike in sight. It was a sublime 5 seconds.
I decided to go into town to pick up my bike which was back from repairs. Hopefully this time, after 2 repairs and a total makeover, it will stay in one piece. From there I rode to the SMC, the medical centre where I go to gym, to do some running. Just as I finished my sets of shuttles, I heard a massive commotion and saw blue lights flashing everywhere. Police, ambulance and fire trucks gathered at the gate and I saw people coming out of the SMC and pointing inside. Leiah, who plays in the Amsterdam ladies team was there and explained that a lady in her fifties had been downstairs working out and had suddenly collapsed, unconscious on the floor, apparently from a heart attack. Leiah had immediately called the emergency services while the lady’s husband had begun performing CPR. The paramedics eventually managed to get a pulse, but further than that I’m not sure how the incident turned out. It was a sobering experience, being there and seeing another human unconscious on the floor. Without getting too deep, a moment like that is a less than gentle reminder to appreciate what you have.
Came home and made killer sandwiches for Ash and I for lunch. Watched a film together but halfway through we realized neither of us were really watching. I FaceTimed my folks and Ash had a nap. When Ash woke up we watched the Dutch ladies playing against Spain. After dinner took the pooch for another walk to tucker him out a bit. I’m now sitting watching the Olympics. One game on the laptop, one game on TV. Bliss.
Just saw Conor Harte get a really nasty blow to the side of his body in the Ireland vs. NL game. He had to be stretchered off the field. Hope he recovers well and is able to get back on the pitch soon. Injuries come from nowhere are yet another reason to love what you do when you are lucky enough to be a professional sportsman.
