Dog Walks

📍 Hilversum Station, 10:30 → finish at Baarn railway station (~17:30) We meet inside the station near piano. 🚶‍♂️ ~10 km total | ~6–7 hours | relaxed pace with sketching stops 🎯 Main destination: Kasteel Groeneveld We’ll walk together through nature from Hilversum to the castle (~7 km), making several short sketching stops (15–30 min), with a longer session near the castle. After that, we continue ~3 km to Baarn station. There’s a café at the castle (coffee, sweets, late lunch), but we’ll arrive later — bring your own food/snacks so you don’t get hungry. Bring along: * Sketching materials * Water * Foldable chair or blanket (there is no guaranteed seating in forest) * Comfortable walking clothes * Extra layer (it gets cold when sitting still) * Sandwich or snacks to keep energy going No pressure on skill level — all styles welcome. Come for the walk, the nature, and the sketches 🌿✏️

'KAFKA ON THE SHORE' by Haruki Murakami 'The aging Nakata, tracker of lost cats, who never recovered from a bizarre childhood affliction, finds his pleasantly simplified life suddenly turned upside down. There is a savage killing, but the identity of both victim and killer is a riddle. Kafka on the Shore follows the fortunes of two remarkable characters. Kafka Tamura runs away from home at fifteen, under the shadow of his father's dark prophesy. The aging Nakata, tracker of lost cats, who never recovered from a bizarre childhood affliction, finds his pleasantly simplified life suddenly turned upside down. Their parallel odysseys are enriched throughout by vivid accomplices and mesmerising dramas. Cats converse with people; fish tumble from the sky; a ghostlike pimp deploys a Hegel-spouting girl of the night; a forest harbours soldiers apparently un-aged since WWII. There is a savage killing, but the identity of both victim and killer is a riddle. Murakami's new novel is at once a classic tale of quest, but it is also a bold exploration of mythic and contemporary taboos, of patricide, of mother-love, of sister-love. Above all it is an entertainment of a very high order.' ***Please read the book and join us for a lively discussion (in English) about the contents during our afternoon book club meeting.*** \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- **PLEASE NOTE:** This is an IN-PERSON event in Amersfoort, The Netherlands. Please cancel your attendance in advance if you are unable to join, so that those on the waitlist can participate. Looking forward to seeing you all IN REAL LIFE then! Best regards, Sandra

## Love is in the air…! After the crazy success of our first event, we're back with more connection games! This time, the games will be much shorter (15-20 mins each) to allow for easier rotation. For those who're new here, Affinitee hosts slow dating events focused on discovering relationships built on compatibility over superficiality! **No more swiping, skip the bad dates!** ### *This is how it works:* 1\. Before you arrive at the meetup\, you fill in a fun 5\-10 minute questionnaire before registration below \(if you haven't already\)\. We explore different aspects of relationship compatibility using this questionnaire\. To make use of the pre-matching facility, we recommend registering on the website as well. You may sign up here [https://affinitee.eu/au-event-3](https://affinitee.eu/au-event-3) 2\. A match will be automatically assigned \(if available\)\, based on your given criteria \(age range\, children\, location etc\.\) as well as the overall compatibility score based on your questionnaire answers\. 3\. At the event\, you will be able to try out a multitude of board/card games that are specifically chosen to explore various aspects of relationship compatibility \(moral values\, decision making etc\.\)\. 4\. After each game\, you can choose to switch partners\, or continue with the same person\, based on input from either parties\. 5\. At the end of the event\, IF you did indeed feel a spark with someone at the event \(and it is reciprocated\)\, we help you arrange a date with them\. You do not even have to exchange contacts\! **[!!IMPORTANT!!]** We recommend signing up through our website to guarantee a match as early as possible. But of course, even if no match isassigned to you due to late registration or gender imbalance, a majority of the games are still played as groups! *So nobody gets left out and everyone has a chance to meet and match with other singles.* We believe in conscious, compatibility based matchmaking. Don't waste your time dating the wrong people!

Join us for the XXL edition celebrating the 3rd anniversary of our (board) games meetup at our local community center! We’re doing things a little differently this time, so make sure to read everything below and we hope to see as many of you as possible on this special day! This event is part of an ongoing series organized through our Discord server [[discord.gg/utrecht](http://discord.gg/utrecht)] • Free entry for everyone, as always! • Bring your favorite (board) games • Meet new friends and fellow gaming enthusiasts • A night filled with exciting challenges and friendly competition • Warm food, snacks, and drinks will be provided for everyone! (e.g. fries, sauces, chips, fried snacks, sodas) There will also be a Nintendo Switch 2 available with games like Mario Party, Mario Kart, Super Smash Bros and other party games, so feel free to bring a controller if you’d like to play! Whether you're a board game aficionado or a video game guru, this event is for you. Bring your friends, bring your favorite games, and let’s celebrate three years of gaming together! Note that due to limitations of the location, we cannot open the door for you after 19:00. Make sure to read the ''How to find us'' carefully and join the Discord if you have any questions.

Lieve leden, Vanaf 19:30 op onze oude vertrouwde locatie, MFA Safari Maarssen Dan nog een veel gevraagd onderwerp.. de entree! Vanaf deze post gaan we wel starten met de mogelijkheid tot doneren. Heb je het de afgelopen jaren naar je zin gehad? Overweeg dan te doneren, zo kunnen we blijven vernieuwen! Weet je niet hoeveel? Met 5,- kunnen we al een hoop. Bij binnenkomst op de club zullen we ook een QR-code plaatsen die je kunt gebruiken en natuurlijk.. de vertrouwde spaarpot. ## Tot de Gamenight! Board game fanatics and beginners, assemble! We host a GameNight every two weeks on a Friday. We have our own game collection that you can use, but we encourage you to bring some of your favourites as well! No entrance cost. We have coffee, tea and drinks from the fridge for low prices! Parking is free and there are over a hundred spaces in front of the building. Please use the stairs at the back of the MFA Safari building outside to get into the club.

Lieve leden, Vanaf 19:30 op onze oude vertrouwde locatie, MFA Safari Maarssen Dan nog een veel gevraagd onderwerp.. de entree! Vanaf deze post gaan we wel starten met de mogelijkheid tot doneren. Heb je het de afgelopen jaren naar je zin gehad? Overweeg dan te doneren, zo kunnen we blijven vernieuwen! Weet je niet hoeveel? Met 5,- kunnen we al een hoop. Bij binnenkomst op de club zullen we ook een QR-code plaatsen die je kunt gebruiken en natuurlijk.. de vertrouwde spaarpot. Tot de Gamenight!Spellenclub Maarssen --- Board game fanatics and beginners, assemble! We host a GameNight every two weeks on a Friday. We have our own game collection that you can use, but we encourage you to bring some of your favourites as well! No entrance cost. We have coffee, tea and drinks from the fridge for low prices! Parking is free and there are over a hundred spaces in front of the building. Please use the stairs at the back of the MFA Safari building outside to get into the club.

🏃🏻‍♂️🏃🏼‍♀️

Come and join us for an evening of Buddhist meditation with like-minded people. The doors open at 7:00 PM, and meditation begins promptly at 7:15 PM. The meditation will last between 30 to 40 minutes, followed by tea and biscuits for anyone who would like to stay and chat. On some evenings, there will also be a short Dharma talk to provide some Buddhist context. The meditation space is down at the canal. To get there, you can take the stairs down. The meditation is offered on a donation basis. See our [website](https://utrechtbuddhistcentre.nl/) for more information.

You’re invited to join us for a cycling trip from Utrecht to Amsterdam, following the historic [Dutch Waterline](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_Waterline). As we cycle through green polders and along quiet waterways, you’ll discover how the Dutch once used water as a powerful defense system, by flooding the land in order to stop enemies from invading Holland and taking all our cheese and bicycles :) We’ll pass old forts and scenic Dutch landscapes, where history and nature are coming together. Come along and experience the beautiful nature and the story of this unique Dutch landscape. All you need is to bring a bicycle, good mood and hopefully some sunscreen! The meeting point is at Utrecht Central Station and from here it is about 55 km cycling to Amsterdam, and we will have some lunch on the way. Hope to see you then!

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **Join the Utrecht City Brunch Club and make new friends!** Each meetup brings together 4–6 people for casual conversations over brunch. We use the Groupvibe platform to facilitate the meetup and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) We’ll share the exact location of the upcoming meetup the night before only if you have bought a ticket or membership plan. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier. \* Discover new restaurants in your city, together. \* Curated brunch venues with good food and vibe. \* If you hit it off with your group, there’s plenty of time to hang out afterwards. **Note:** RSVPs on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. The event on [Meetup.com](http://meetup.com/) is only a placeholder. This meetup is organized by Groupvibe, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

⚠️ **IMPORTANT: You must sign up and buy a ticket here to attend:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) **Join the Amsterdam** **Coffee Club and make new friends!** Each meetup brings together 4–6 people for casual conversations over coffee. We use the Groupvibe platform to facilitate the meetup and ensure everyone’s a good fit. 👉 **To attend, you’ll need to complete registration via this link:** [https://groupvibe.com/](https://groupvibe.com/) We’ll share the exact location of the upcoming meetup the night before only if you have bought a ticket or membership plan. **Why this works:** \* Smaller groups make real conversations easier. \* Discover new cafes in your city, together. \* Curated cafes with good coffee and vibe. \* If you hit it off with your group, there’s plenty of time to hang out afterwards. **Note:** RSVPs on Meetup don’t reflect total attendance. Many attendees register directly via our website. The event on [Meetup.com](http://meetup.com/) is only a placeholder. This meetup is organized by Groupvibe, a small team passionate about helping people form meaningful friendships offline.

PET EXPO HAS CHANGED LOCATION TO MANASSAS SO I NEED TO FIND ANOTHER DATE FOR THIS. Please note park charges admission but meetup itself is free. I highly recommend folks invest in a NPS annual pass as it will pay for itself quickly. We will be exploring the Virginia side of the Great Falls National Park. Please meet at the visitor's center promptly at 9 am. Dogs must follow NPS rules (be kept on a leash and be 4 months/fully vaccinated). We will depart after the group picture along the ramp to the visitor center. This will be a gentle slow walk to take in views.

Registration and more info available at: [HERB WALK DC REGISTRATION](https://yew360.com/products/so-fresh-so-clean-detox-into-the-new-year-workshop?_pos=3&_psq=HER&_ss=e&_v=1.0)

Join our weekly walking meetup to have fun, maintain a healthy lifestyle, meet new people, and enjoy nature! We meet Saturdays at 10am, by the bike racks and benches 150 feet in front of BUBBLES Hair Salon in Reston, leaving no later than 10:05. Every week we'll walk the Green Trail to Lake Anne Plaza (\~1 mile), pause there for 5-10 minutes (water, bio, and from April-Nov a Farmer's Market), then circle the lake (2 miles) before returning to our starting point. It's roughly 3.5 miles and takes about an hour and a half. Afterwards, some members will often head to a local restaurant to refuel and relax before tackling the rest of the day. This event is open to all ages and fitness levels, and both friends and dogs are always welcome! We recommend dressing for the weather (umbrella, water bottle, snow shoes, hat, etc.) since we'll always walk, rain or shine. By signing up, you accept and assume all risks and responsibilities with this activity, and nobody will be held liable.

Enjoy a guided stroll around scenic Old Town Fairfax and Daniels Run Park. Around 9:50 am meet club host Susan Brown in front of the Safeway Grocery Store in Courthouse Plaza, 10350 Willard Way in Fairfax City 22030. Sights along the 10 km route include Blenheim Mansion, other historic buildings, two parks and three moderate hills. Optional lunch afterwards at the popular Ornery Beer Company & Public House, 3950 University Drive, Fairfax VA 22030. Menu: [https://www.ornerybeer.com/menu](https://www.ornerybeer.com/menu). The walk is $2 for non-members and guests to defray expenses for our sport and $4 for AVA walk credit. Please bring correct change in cash (e-payment is not possible). We feature curated walks by experienced members. Dogs and children are welcome but children under 18 must have a guardian present. Questions or issues on the day of the event? Contact Susan Brown at: nicebrowns@verizon.net or 703-407-7681.

Questions/lost? Call 240-447-4796 Meeting point - https://maps.app.goo.gl/qD44jnTAn4xmgWKj8 https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/washington-dc/walking-remy 2.3mi Length 357ft Elevation gain 1–1.5hr Estimated time Loop The West Ridge Trail Loop offers a well-maintained, wide trail that takes hikers through a diverse landscape featuring bigleaf maples and willows. This variety of trees provides plenty of shade and a beautiful backdrop of flora and fauna throughout the hike. Certain sections can become slippery and muddy, especially after rainfall. A picnic area along the loop is perfect for taking a break and enjoying the natural surroundings.

Consider it cancelled if it’s raining (Sorry, not at that level yet 😬) Maybe one day!

Consider it cancelled if it’s raining (Sorry, I’m not at that level yet 😬) maybe one day!