#terugblik – May 7, 2024

The spot by the lake is so lovely and sunny that I don’t start walking until 10:30. Sleeping in has become the norm by now—it seems that’s just my natural rhythm. I’ve also decided to start eating only when I’m actually hungry, not according to typical Dutch mealtimes. I figure my body will let me know. Today, for instance, I have no appetite in the morning, so I skip breakfast and wait until I can buy some fresh food at the supermarket. I eat it in a little park. So good.

It turns into a lazy day. I walk only 17 kilometers, which is a joke for a long-distance hiker. Still, I hit my first climb today, and it’s rougher than expected. My legs are used to flat land, not hills—but I know from experience they’ll adjust quickly.

I’m super happy with my Wheelie, my hiking cart. With just a backpack, there’s no way I could carry this much fresh food for several days. Eating well and staying healthy really does matter when you’re on the road for a whole year. That said, there are always little challenges along the way. Nothing major—just things that take a bit more time and occasionally lead to funny situations.

I walk through farmland and forest, and by 6 p.m. I stop at a shelter in the woods. This time I decide not to pitch my tent and see how I sleep under an open roof. There are fire pits and some wood, so I build a fire—not a luxury, since it’s actually pretty cold.
I sleep wonderfully again, though it feels a bit like I’m abandoning my trusty little tent… But how sweet to wake up with a squirrel rustling around near my bed in the morning.