It is the 94th year it has been organised and is said to be the biggest walk in the world as approx 45000 people take part. There is a lot of participation by military from the Netherlands as well as overseas contingents especially the Canadians. If a walker makes it to the end of the four days within the time they receive a medal. . Below is a photo taken from the newspaper handed out which shows the route for the first day.
Instead of making our way to Nijmegen and trying to find a mooring nearby we decided to travel to Den Bosch (shortened name for s’Hertgenbosch ) settle into the harbour and take a train each day. The main mooring area is really lovely and is beside the outer city wall.
On Wednesday we travelled by train to Nijmegen and along the way the train passed groups of walkers making their way back to Nijmegen. Many leave at 3am so they complete the walk in the time allowed..
After arriving we walked around seeing the town, this is the old town square ready for the festivities. There were bandstands and eating and drinking areas all over town.
then it was time to go to the place where the walkers would cross the finish line for the day. It is a great atmosphere with bands playing as the walkers come in. Many were still quite sprightly and others looked like today would be the only day they walked.
Wednesday was Pink Day when participants and walkers took to the Pink.
We saw these Australian marchers still looking good, if anyone knows who they are let them know we have a photo.
As we wandered about town we came across the seating area ready for the final march in.
Soon it was time for the marchers to go home and nurse their blisters and the party animals to come out for the night.
It is tradition for the walkers to be given Gladioli as they come into the home stretch and there were stalls all over town selling thousands of them, unfortunately they were not in full flower.
We were fortunate to be given tickets to sit in the grandstand to watch the walkers do a final lap around town, they started coming in around 1.00pm and were still pouring in at 5.00pm. The atmosphere was electric with the bands playing and people cheering, the walkers seem to be refreshed by the crowd and were very sprightly.
On this final part of the walk a lot of people dress up.
The agony and the ecstasy. If you know the Australians let them know we have their photo.
The young, the middle age and the oldies.
Soon the gladiolis, the blisters and aching muscles are forgotten it was time for the walkers and spectators to kick back and talk over the day.
We took the comfortable option and shared a table with two delightful girls who translated the menu for us.
On the way back to the train we spoke to these walkers who were on the way home he said it had been his 10th walk and it has become a way of life.
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