Nijmegen 4 Day Marches Day 4 - Netherlands 18 July 2014.

Nijmegen 4 Day Marches - Day 4
Netherlands
Distance 44.6km
Friday 18 July 2014

This was Day 4 of the 98th Nijmegen March 2014, the last day marching.  We were lined up early again and marching out of the camp, to the band and salute, before the sun came up.  It was a little sombre today following an incident that had happened to a KLM flight.  The marchers had been asked not to sing or carry flags as a sign of respect.  We joined the walking crowds as soon as we left the camp and turned left, the same direction as on day 2.  We headed west and the numbers of people walking and watching were almost twice as many, if not more, as we had seen earlier in the week.

We crossed the canal.  Then one of the main roadways, as we had on day 2.  However instead of turning right through the petting farm we continued along the road.

Today we needed to get round to a place called Charlemagne field so we could all go in together. A little way down the road we turned right and headed east, between open fields.

Over the four days walking, we had passed through lots of the Nijmegen area, some ordinary and some very expensive houses.  Farm houses and there had been lots of stables and fields.  All added to the experience, but nothing like the experience of walking through the small towns. 

We crossed the bridge at Grave and the memorial to British soldiers who had died in and around the bridge during WWII.  The route took us back under the bridge and along the southern bank of a canal, heading east.

Just past Grave we passed another windmill on the march.  We had moved from the canal and were heading towards Cuijk.

The crowds that met us at Cujijk were large, loud and amazing, before we knew it we turned right and straight onto a pontoon bridge across the canal, which had been built by the Dutch army. Over the pontoon bridge we turned left and headed north.  Crossing the bridge into Mook we continued north.  Some of this route now was going back along part of this route we had taken on day 3, to Malden.

We had plenty of time when we arrived at Charlemagne field, plenty of time for a short rest before we lined up and marched the last 5km into Nijmegen.

The band would not play today due to the tragedy but would still lead the march in.

The distance today was 44.6 km, which made a total of 163.8km over the four days.  What an amazing experience, especially the last 5km. As last year if I had not seen this myself I would not believe it, something I hope to do again and hope I will never forget.  The whole four days were a celebration to life, not just for the marchers but also the hundreds of thousand people who supported the walkers.  Amazing. 

More to follow

Boz North

Detail 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.

Follow link to previous Day 3 Nijmegan March 2014.

Nijmegen 4 Day Marches Day 3 - Netherlands 17 July 2014.

Nijmegen 4 Day Marches - Day 3
Netherlands
Distance 39.8km
Thursday 17 July 2014

Day 3 of the 98th Nijmegen March was another early start.  The announcement today said that today was the hardest of all four days as the route was very hilly.  

The band played, salutes made and we set off, marching between the boots.  Once out of the forest we crossed the road then turned left and moved onto today's walk which turned back onto a very similar route to the day 2 route, heading west.  We soon joined the other walkers and again the numbers of marchers and crowds numbered thousands. 

Once we had left the houses behind we were in open fields, and you could see all the walkers ahead and the walkers behind.  Masses and masses of people.

Today though instead of turning right then left and crossing the canal, we turned left and walked by the canal, well one of the many canals in Holland.  It soon became warm, initially there was very little shade, as we walked towards Malden. 

At Malden as always there were the local dignitaries, bands playing, bunting, people cheering, flag waving and children handing out sweets, biscuits, pieces of fruit and water. 

Then it was over a bridge that crossed the canal and we continued south east further along beside the canal.  Some of the views were stunning.

Just before Mook we crossed back to the eastern side of the canal and continued south east. Then it was a turn north over a lake.

We turned east, then moved a brief distance south east before we turned left and headed north.  We were now about half way on day 3, heading towards Groesbeek. 

Today we passed a group of British police who were doing the march, we saw them last year.  They must do it every year.

At Groesbeek I came across the first windmill of the walk.  Which reminds me of all the other typically Dutch things I had come across on the trip.  It was a proper party atmosphere with clowns and stilt walkers.

After Groesbeek we continued north and started climbing the hills.  As we started the climb we could see the crowds in front.

At the top of the first rise, we could see the route drop down slightly before climbing again.  

Coming off the hills we were back on the flat and now heading west through the last built up area Berg en Dal. 

For a short distance we continued west then turned south west back into the shade of the forest.  It was not long before we were back at the camp.

The distance we had covered today was 39.8km.  After a shower, a quick soak of my feet, some admin ready for the next day, then dinner.  I gave my feet a good rub for luck, before going to sleep and rest for tomorrow.

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.

Follow link to previous Day 2 Nijmegan March 2014.
Follow link to next Day 4 Nijmegan March 2014.

Nijmegen 4 Day Marches Day 2 - Netherlands 16 July 2014.

Nijmegen 4 Day Marches - Day 2
Netherlands
Distance 35.4km
Wednesday 16 July 2014

Day 2 of the 98th Nijmegen March started much the same as Day 1.  We were lined up early again, before the birds started singing.  Even though early it was still nice.  We marched from the camp to the band and salutes.  On reaching the road we turned left and joined the crowds.  Unbelievable so many people walking at that time in the morning, and already people were out waving flags, playing music, cheering us as we marched past.  We followed the main road west before turning sharp right.

A left turn and we soon crossed a large canal.

We were continuing west with a few twists right and left.  The route took us over a main road then turned right through what looked like a small animal petting farm.  This was onto a dust track. The route turned right and we were heading towards Wijchen.

As yesterday many local people had moved their chairs and seats, settee's and tables into the street to watch us and the thousands of other people march past. The atmosphere as the day before was good.

As we reached the outskirts of Wijchen the bands were out a left turn then right towards the centre.

A sharp right and we were in the town centre.

Another turn, north this time and we were moving passed more dignitaries, with chains of office saluting and waving as we marched through.  Over another main road and we were travelling more north east now through open country towards Beuningen.

We crossed a narrow canal with its lock, flood gates. We were a little over half way now.

At Beunningen we turned right and headed east back towards Nijmegen.  A short distance from here we were following the river on the opposite bank to the one we had walked the day before.

We then saw the bridge we had crossed over on day 1, so only a few km to go.

A turn right, south towards the start/finish into the centre of Nijmegen. The crowds here, as last year, were a lot larger than on day 1.  We continued through Nijmegen back towards the campsite the way we had walked on day 1, passed the church and the beach volleyball courts.  Passed a care home where everyone was out to watch us march past.  Then into the cool shade of the forest where the campsite was.

Today we had covered a distance of 35.4km.  Then as on day 1 some admin, sort my kit out for tomorrow, a spot of dinner, shower, soak my feet, give my feet a rub for luck and sleep.

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.

Follow link to previous Day 1 Nijmegan March 2014.
Follow link to next Day 3 Nijmegan March 2014.