Nijmegen 4 Day Marches Day 2 - Netherlands 19 July 2017.

Nijmegen 4 Day Marches - Day 2
Netherlands
Distance 38.8km Climb 69m
Wednesday 19 July 2017

Day 2 is Rainbow Day in Nijmegen.
Day 2 of the 101st Nijmegen March started much the same as the Day 2's in 2013 and 2014. We were lined up early again, and the weather was perfect for walking, but that would not last, later it would become very hot. 

As with Day 1, we marched from the camp to the band and salutes, down the forest road Beukenlaan.  On reaching the road passing under the Heumensoord sign we crossed straight over the road, traffic was being held back by the police. We walked the road straight ahead from the camp, passing the large house below. 

At the top of the road we were directed left which led us beside some sports fields and beach volley ball courts. At the junction where we turned right yesterday, we went straight ahead today and joined the mass crowds of the other walkers, coming down from their start point in the centre.

What time does the clock say? 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 road west and were stopped by whistles as the road closed to allow traffic to cross our path. When the road opened again we walked a little further west before turning south.

A few right and left turns, west and south and the road turned north west. Although light it was still early as you can see by the long shadows in the picture below.

A left turn and the road starts to climb slightly up onto a bridge that took us over the Maas-Waalkanaal.

We were continuing west with a few twists left, right and right. South east, south west and north west. The route took us over a main road, then through what looked like a small animal petting farm. This was a dusty track. 

The route turned left and then right, north west onto Heumenseweg 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. Bunting was tied up everywhere flags were waving and people offered us drinks, biscuits, sweets and fruit.  We would come across this each and every day almost all the way round each March. The atmosphere was amazing.

I caught my second windmill.

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

We had a short rest in the rest area near a sports complex.

Starting again this was where we parted from the other walkers due to our respective routes. We turned right, north west, they turned left and south east. Although quiet without the other walkers a number of people had still come out of their houses to support us.

A sharp right and we were in the town centre, this was where we were rejoining the other walkers.

Heading north easterly through the town. 

Another turn, north this time and we were moving passed more dignitaries, with chains of office saluting and waving as we marched through.

A bridge took us over another main road and we were travelling more north east now through open country towards Beuningen on the Wilhelminalaan. Cars and lorries tooted their horns as they passed below us.

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

Here is the Roman, I have seen him in much the same spot each time I have done the March.

Cross over a bridge over another main road, more toots and horns honking and we turn east, working our way up onto the Van Heemstraweg near Beunningen.

We were now heading back towards Nijmegen. For a short while the route turns north, then east then south passing the memorial below at a crossroads. There are a number of memorials along the Marches. 

Turning left we continued east back towards Nijmegen. 

Passing another regular local with his horned hat and cat. I am not sure if he is Nigel or the cat is Nigel.

Approaching Nijmegen our route took us under one of the railway bridges.

With a left turn down to the riverside by the Waal. For a short distance we were following the river on the opposite bank to the one we had walked on Day 1.

In the distance is the Nijmegen Bridge we walked across yesterday on Day 1.

Passing through a fairground with rides, candy floss, bars and places to eat. We climbed up to the road.

A turn right, and we were walking south through the town towards the start/finish in the centre of Nijmegen. The crowds here, were a lot larger than on Day 1. Leaving the other walkers we continued on the same route as we had used the previous day. It was a lot easier walking without the crowds. Walking passed the turning towards the bus and train station. We walked in front of the hospital, heading towards our campsite. 

We had a short rest before walking passed the church. We were greeted by a few drops of rain. A left turn onto Kwekerijweg took us passed the beach volleyball courts. Directed right down into the shade of Driehuizerweg passed a care home where a lot of the guests had been brought out to watch us go past.

The traffic was stopped to allow us to cross directly under the Heumensoord sign into the cool shade of the forest.

A few hundred meters into the forest and we reach our finish. Today we had covered a distance of 38.8km with 69m climb.

Then as on Day 1 a beer to celebrate followed by some admin, and prepared my kit for the next day. A spot of dinner, shower, give my feet a rub for luck and then 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 - Day 1 Tuesday 18 July 2017
Follow link to next Day - Day 3 Thursday 20 July 2017