Tuesday, May 14, 2024
On the road at 9am. Today’s route is shorter (15k) because our room was further along the route. But with these packs a shorter route is preferred. Yesterday was harder than we expected. We feel our bodies. I woke up with a sense of ‘this is too much, we can’t do this’. But we really have no choice no. The next two days are through areas with no grocery stores, and we have not arranged breakfasts or bag lunches (too expensive). Which means we buy groceries… and add them to the packs. Mine is nearing 35lbs, and I feel it in my legs. Today will be a test!

1. Our room in Anderen (Rolde) provides breakfast. A hard-boiled egg, yoghurt and granola, breads and cheeses and meats, fruit. And good strong coffee. So thankful they fill our thermos with coffee.
2. We walk through forests or along farmers fields all day. The shade is wonderful from the 28 degree heat. We climb over electric fences several times. We see horses, sheep and cows. Thankfully we brought bug spray, and sunscreen, so we are protected.
3. We start our day listening to a bible devotional: “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young. Each one so far has been very appropriate to our walk, and has led to good discussion. Today’s was about Jesus walking with us, carrying the load, assuring us leading to the end of our journey.
4. Aside from carrying these packs, it is so peaceful and relaxing. We brought audiobooks and podcasts if we needed them, but we don’t listen… it is so calming just to walk and see. God certainly has created a beautiful world. And amazingly, even the ground is ‘Dutch clean’; there is no garbage strewn along the way.
5. We do look forward to the benches. We try to break every hour, but we don’t always find benches. A log will do, but our hearts leap when we find a bench!
6. People are so friendly. They guess that we are Pieterpaders, and are pleased to know we have roots in the Netherlands, and can even speak it. They also think we are gek (crazy) for doing it all in one shot, without breaks. They see it more like the Bruce Trail, to be spread out over weekends.
7. We meet ‘vrienden op the weg’, friends on the way also walking. Every once in a while we follow each other, and when uncertain about our route, compare maps together. Seeing someone is always encouraging, it lets you know you are not alone.
8. We arrive in Schoonloo early. We have a side room in a large farm-style house. Very cozy, and our hosts are very friendly. And good news, there is a restaurant right across the road. We won’t go out for dinner every night, but tonight is special. It is our trouwdag (wedding anniversary). So thankful to walk this path with Valerie!
9. We walked a total of 17k today.

Stepping over the electric fence.

Forest trails

Farmer’s Fields

Thankful for benches

Friends on the way!

A place to lay our head and rest

36 years travelling together!