Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Today we anticipate an easy day, only 15k to Laren. Before we leave we sit with Gehard and Joke, who run this BnB in their 80s. They proudly show us pictures and plaques honouring their devotion to the care and promotion of the cemetery and remembrance of the Canadian soldiers. He’s been playing tuba in the liberation band for years, and hopes to survive until next year’s 80th anniversary of the liberation. They were a lovely couple, and inspiring in their devotion to remembering and peace.

1. We are feeling better and stronger each day. This trip is not all about the long walks and heavy packs, we are enjoying the walk, the sights, and the time of rest each day. We typically arrive at our BnB by mid-afternoon, and after a shower and a nap we have a long time to relax and read. While the world rushes by us, we are maintaining a rhythm and pace that is good for the soul. We even had time for praise and worship. The bridge we passed had a sign calling for a time of praise and worship, so we joined in.
2. I am probably losing weight as I do this. I notice that my pants are lose, and that I will need to add a hole in my belt. Apparently I am not the only one who’s ‘broeks’ are lose.
3. Today everyone is back to work. We walk the trails alone, few bikers and hikers. We enter Gelderland, land of big homes and castles and horses. We come upon a Downton Abby sized home, call House Verwolde. It is closed, but we walk the path around it and enjoy the beautiful gardens and views. I had to clarify for my parents that this was NOT our BnB…
4. All day long I felt like something was afoot, that my walking was off. Only at tea time did I realize that I was walking with two left feet.
5. Because it was a shorter day, we arrived in Laren by 2pm. This was unfortunate for several reasons: (a) We are staying at ‘Vrienden op de Fiets’ (Friends on the Bike), hikers and bikers who open their homes for low cost to other hikers and bikers, usually more last minute. Of course, they prefer you don’t arrive until 5pm, after work. (b) Because yesterday was a holiday Monday, and most restaurants which typically close on Monday were open, they chose to be closed today. The only place open was an extremely busy bakery, with no indoor sitting. I managed to nap on the bench, but we spent a lot of time waiting and wandering the streets of Laren, looking for a washroom, resting in a church. Thankfully our host was able to come home early (4pm).
6. She owns a home on Main Street, with unused office space on the ground floor. That space has been converted to a place to eat and sleep for bikers and hikers. It’s great! We enjoy a restful evening here, and also enjoy watching the downpour that comes once again when we are securely sheltered inside. So thankful.
7. Today was a 16k day. It was another good day.

We do relax!

We feel the peace, while everyone else is racing past us!

Praise and worship bridge!

Mark’s pants are lose too!

Tree lined canals

Horses in the golden field

Not our BnB

Waiting at the bakery

Waiting inside an old modernized PKN church.

Vrienden op de Fiets (Friends on the Bike)

Sheltered from the storm