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
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.
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