#throwback – 10 June 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bad weather is forecast, and of course today\u2019s route is long. I\u2019ve almost run out of food, so a visit to the supermarket is a must. Just as I\u2019m about to leave, it starts pouring with rain, so I postpone my departure for a while.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Suddenly, a man walks into the hut. \u201cOh, I didn\u2019t expect anyone here,\u201d he says\u2014neither did I. He\u2019s here to hang an information board about the nature reserve. He tells me he used to be a commercial photographer, but he got completely fed up with the industry. At 40, he changed course and now builds shelters and other structures in the wild. He says he notices that especially men around forty tend to be jealous. The idea of spending your days outdoors and escaping the rat race seems like heaven to many of them. It pays less, but it brings a huge increase in well-being. I can only agree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When the weather clears, I head out. The trails are varied\u2014some easy, others so difficult I really should have carried the cart on my back. But hey, you learn as you go. Less than a kilometre from the store\u2026 the deluge hits. Once again, I\u2019m lucky: I spot a bus shelter. I don\u2019t stay completely dry\u2014the driving rain blows in\u2014but it\u2019s still a big help. I\u2019m incredibly relieved when I finally see the Willy:s megastore appear in front of me. Inside, I warm up on a bench with a fresh roll that tastes like a pastry. The misery is quickly forgotten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nothing changes faster than the weather\u2014suddenly the sun bursts through in full glory. I seize the moment and cook a hot meal next to a volleyball court. A touring cyclist stops by, clearly craving a chat. He sits with me for a while and shares all kinds of route tips, which come in very handy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the map I see that a shelter is only four kilometres away, but I end up walking double that distance because I run into two closed paths and have to make long detours. So frustrating\u2014by then, I\u2019m completely exhausted. At a scouting hut I finally roll out my mat and sleeping bag, and sleep wonderfully dry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/footstepsoffreedom.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/dag-41-ochtend-1024x768.jpeg?ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/footstepsoffreedom.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/dag-41-begroeid-pad-768x1024.jpeg?ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/footstepsoffreedom.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/dag-41-rotsig-pad-768x1024.jpeg?ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/footstepsoffreedom.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/dag-41-regen-op-komst-768x1024.jpeg?ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/footstepsoffreedom.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/dag-41-zondvloed-495x1024.jpeg?ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/footstepsoffreedom.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/dag-41-slecht-weer-1024x768.jpeg?ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div>![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/footstepsoffreedom.nl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/dag-41-hut-1024x768.jpeg?ssl=1\")
<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"