Website stress in my shelter

I sleep soundly in the shelter; it’s drizzling when I wake up, but not long after, the sun breaks through. I want to leave early, but posting on my website, FootstepsofFreedom.nl, turns out to be very different on my phone than on my laptop. Buttons are in different places, it’s a quest, and there’s a lot of swearing, but I want to get this sorted. I spend hours on it and even reach out to my help desk, who doesn’t know right away either. She eventually contacts the Service Desk, and finally, finally, the problem is solved. It’s always such a hassle with these kinds of things. It really gets on my nerves.

Euphoria from my solar panels

When I finally set off, I enjoy my charging solar panels; they power up like a true relief in the sun. I inhale spring as I walk through the fragrant yellow fields. The rapeseed is now in full bloom.

Surprised by a column of elderly people during my peaceful lunch

At a church, I decide to have lunch. There’s enough water for coffee, and a table is set. However, the peace is quickly disrupted by a column of elderly people on bicycles in fluorescent vests. I’m surprised that no one visits the church; the door is wide open. But it quickly becomes clear when I see them restlessly milling about and then neatly lining up at a side door that is opened for them. Time for a bathroom break!

For the first time, I see another hiker with a backpack. This route is definitely not crowded.

Comparing apples to pears? Definitely do it!

At the supermarket, I try to buy apples. There’s no staff in sight, and I don’t understand how the scale works. I ask a kind lady for help, but she can’t figure it out either. Later, it turns out you buy these apples in sets of five, which is known at the checkout. But there’s no one at the checkout. So, I go for the self-scan. Still no apples to be found. I press the help button, and after five minutes, someone comes out from the storage room. He can’t find the apples either. “Then just take the pears, it’s the same.” Okay, now we know. I have my apples, even though they are called pears. And my first Danish words are in: æbler and pærer.

The luxury of a pilgrim’s hostel

I stay at a pilgrim’s hostel. There’s no one around, but the door is open and there’s a sign inside with a QR code to pay. €4 for a tent spot or €17 for a bed. The choice is quickly made. I sleep well in my tent, and the shower/toilet is included. Moreover, I have the place to myself and can relax at the long table after the best shower ever; you can’t even find such a jet in the sauna, before diving into my tent.