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Author: Marnix van der Lijn

Ik ben Marnix (1964), schrijver, langeafstandswandelaar en minimalist in hart en nieren. Na een loopbaan in de commerciële wereld, coaching en training, en jarenlange inzet in de vluchtelingenopvang, koos ik op mijn zestigste voor een radicale wending: ik gaf mezelf een sabbatical en trok de wereld in – te voet. Wat begon als een plan om 10.000 kilometer door Europa te wandelen, groeide uit tot iets veel groters: een nieuwe manier van leven. In negen maanden legde ik meer dan 5.500 kilometer af, met alleen mijn tent, schrijfboek, wandelkar (die ik liefdevol ‘Wheelie’ noem) en mijn barefoot schoenen. Al lopend ontdekte ik dat dit mijn pad is: een nomadisch bestaan, schrijvend onderweg. Ik geloof in het ritme van de voeten, in eenvoud, traagheid en aanwezigheid. Reizen zonder haast, leven met weinig, en onderweg de verhalen vangen die zich aandienen. Mijn missie? De schoonheid van vertraging, vrijheid en verbondenheid tastbaar maken in woorden. Ik bén onderweg. En daar voel ik me thuis.

May I be this happy here?

Published on 5 November 20265 November 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

No passersby It’s so peaceful here. I sleep with my tent right by the path, and in the fourteen hours that I’ve been here, no one has passed by. In the distance, I can hear… Lees meer…

Tags AldeiasHistoricasPortugal, GR22, langeafstandswandeling, Portugal, wildkamperen

My place, my night (continued)

Published on 4 November 20264 November 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

A piece of music just for me What this place by the ruin does to me is hard to explain, but I sleep like a baby, so sweetly. Occasionally, I wake up with joy to… Lees meer…

Tags AldeiasHistoricasPortugal, GR22, langeafstandswandeling, Portugal, wildkamperen

My place, my night

Published on 2 November 20262 November 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Hard work is being done I’m still deep under the covers while there’s a lot of work going on in the fields next to my tent. Hikers are coming and going, curiously peeking into my… Lees meer…

Tags AldeiasHistoricasPortugal, GR22, langeafstandswandeling, Portugal, wildkamperen

What do you miss the most from a ‘normal’ house when you’re sleeping in your tent?

Published on 1 November 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Question 8: What do you miss the most from a ‘normal’ house when you’re sleeping in your tent? I think the answer will surprise you, because I suspect that most people immediately think of a… Lees meer…

Tags information, Questions don’t cost a thing

From a fairytale to tent pole struggles

Published on 1 November 20261 November 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

A spark is enough It’s still chilly, around 8 degrees, as I start my day early. At dawn, I immediately pack my things and head towards the climb to Monsanto. I eat my yogurt with… Lees meer…

Tags AldeiasHistoricasPortugal, GR22, langeafstandswandeling, Portugal, wildkamperen

Holanda, great country!

Published on 31 October 202631 October 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Strategic shopping The first thing I do in Penamacor is some strategic shopping. I won’t come across another supermarket for the next four or five days, so I need to think carefully about what to… Lees meer…

Tags AldeiasHistoricasPortugal, GR22, longdistancetrail, Portugal, Wildcamping

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About Marnix

Marnix Footsteps of FreedomFrom May 2024 through January 2025, I hiked for nine months and 5,500 km across Sweden, Norway, Spain and Portugal. I came to the conclusion that this is how I want to live.

And so it happened… As of mid-May 2026, I am living a nomadic writing and hiking life in my tent, with my walking trailer and in barefoot shoes.

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