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FOOTSTEPS OF FREEDOM

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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.

Sprinkler expert

Published on 22 October 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Empty campsite The advantage of an empty campsite is that it’s empty. Kind of like wild camping, but with a shower. I can relax and stay in bed a little longer. No screaming children, no… Lees meer…

Tags AldeiasHistoricasPortugal, GR22, langeafstandswandeling, longdistancetrail, Portugal, Wildcamping, wildkamperen

Talent!

Published on 21 October 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Between the sprinklers again… And yes, it happens to me again. For the third time, I’ve set up my tent between the sprinklers. I have a talent! And that while I had carefully checked for… Lees meer…

Tags AldeiasHistoricasPortugal, GR22, langeafstandswandeling, longdistancetrail, Portugal

More than 1,000 meters down

Published on 20 October 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Am I blacklisted for the books? I will stay at the campsite until noon. My laundry is done, my electronic gadgets charged, and the shower was a delight. I hoped to see someone at the… Lees meer…

Tags AldeiasHistoricasPortugal, GR22, langeafstandswandeling, longdistancetrail, Portugal, Wildcamping, wildkamperen

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful!

Published on 19 October 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

No dawdling today Once again, I’ve found a beautiful camping spot where I can experience both the sunset and the sunrise. That never gets old. This time, I won’t let myself be tempted to linger,… Lees meer…

Tags AldeiasHistoricasPortugal, GR22, langeafstandswandeling, longdistancetrail, Portugal, Wildcamping

Question 6: Do you always hike alone? And don’t you feel lonely then?

Published on 18 October 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

Yes, I hike alone. And I truly and genuinely love it. When I’m alone, I really ‘experience’ much more. With someone else, especially when there’s conversation, I seem to lose part of the surroundings and… Lees meer…

Tags Asking costs nix, Information, information, Questions don’t cost a thing

A swing as a reward

Published on 18 October 2026 by Marnix van der LijnLeave a comment

The temptation is too great Although I planned to leave early, I linger too long as the only guest at the campground. The table, the electricity, the water—it’s all too tempting, and I make the… Lees meer…

Tags AldeiasHistoricasPortugal, GR22, langeafstandswandeling, longdistancetrail, Portugal, Wildcamping, wildkamperen

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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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