Nijmegen 4 Day Marches - Day 1
Netherlands
Distance 44km
Tuesday 16 July 2013
This was an opportunity of a lifetime, I had heard about this many years ago and never got the chance to do it. It is with great thanks to Tim that I was here today. Follow links to Day 1 and Day 2 Scottish Garelochhead Marches which was the two day qualifying march that allowed me to join my friends on this the 97th Nijmegen March.
We lined up early morning at the camp ready to move to the start. It was still dark and we were up and ready before he birds dawn chorus. As we moved into Nijmegen I was surprised at the number of people who were already up and about.
From the camp we crossed the road then turned left beside some beach vollyball courts then right at this church onto one of the main roads into Nijmegen.
There were army, navy and air force units from all around the world as well as thousands of civilians. After a couple of km we crossed the official start line where everyone merged into a mass of people all walking in the same direction, a turn right and left towards Nijmegen Bridge. It would be difficult to get lost so to speak as everyone was going the same way, however it could be so easy to lose my friends in the crowds.
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| First clear climpse of the Nijmegen Bridge |
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| Sun coming up over Nijmegen, lasy boy - we had been up hours |
From the bridge you could see thousands of people in front of us as they moved left onto the path that turned back under the bridge. When we reached the turn I could see thousands of people behind us. It was amazing.
The route then took us through a small housing estate, where even at such an early hour people were out sitting on the furniture they had brought from the houses to sit and watch. Bunting was tied up everywhere flags were drinks, biscuits, sweets and fruit was being handed out. I have never experienced anything like it and this was day one. We would come across this all the way on every day.
After the houses we walked through a small industrial estate which at the end had a slight climb that took us around so we could see the crowds behind.
We walked behind more houses before walking by some fields towards Bemmel. Each of the small towns or districts had flags out and bands playing, choir's singing, unbelievable. The local dignitaries with their chains of office stood saluting and waving at the marchers.
Not far from Bemmel we took a turn left and headed towards Elst.
We turned left in Elst and started heading back towards the river. It had been warm all day but now it was becoming very hot indeed. We were probably about half way now.
The heat had not diminished the crowds watching or the number of people marching. Local were handing out water, filling platypuses and bottles from hosepipes and spraying us, which was very refreshing.
The road we were on crossed over a major road, just passed here we tried to find a place in the shade for a little break, but along here there was very little cover. So we did the best we could, theafter a short break we moved off again.
We could see the crowds far in front and the crowds far behind. Music was playing through loud speakers as the road we were on ran parallel to the river.
The route took us under the arches of a new bridge that is nearly completed. We could see the bridge we had crossed earlier in the day and this was where we would cross again.
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| Nijmegen Bridge with Nijmegen behind |
That was Day 1 completed, distance covered 44km. So a little admin, a meal and get ready to do it all again tomorrow. Excellent.
More to follow
Boz North
Details correct at time of walking.
If you have enjoyed reading my walk or found it useful you may also like to read other walks I have done on The Nijmegen 4 Day Marches or other areas. Please check out the links on the right hand side.
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