We had a lie in today! The start time which had been moved forward for the heat yesterday reverted to the normal time for the 50km of 4.00am, so it was only a 3.30am get up! At the start we met a nice PC from Cornwall and South Devon Constabulary, in full uniform. He had either bought four lots of uniform, or had been up late pressing his shirt and trousers! John asked if it was hot walking in his bobby’s helmet. The reply was “horrendously so, but at least he could fill it with water and tip it over himself at regular intervals!” The PC mentioned he had met a 67 yr old the day before doing the walk in cloggs. We had yet to see anybody walking the Marches in the native shoe … but not long after the start we heard clip clop clip clop, and saw our first and only cloggy so far!

I found day 2 really hard going. My hips, knees and thighs were really sore. The ibuprofen, seemed to have no effect. I am hoping things will be a bit easier tomorrow… this may be a little naive as it is the day of hills. We have seven hills to climb…. but hills in flat Holland can’t be that hard – can they? John by contrast was on fine form, and was out of the starting blocks almost at a run, it was a consant effort to keep up with him (and take photos / video!) I got my own back when he ran out of steam at 8 miles from home and I maintained my steady even pace. All my training is obviously paying off!!

John Blister repair

We learnt from last nights experiences (where we had to queue 4 hours to have blisters sorted by the red cross). Today we went straight to the tent when we finished walking and was seen in an hour … I was sorted in about 40 mins. John however took 1.45 hours to get fixed up.

A few things that made me smile today:

• Hounden Toiletten – patch of fenced in grass for a dog toilet
• Umbrella in walkers back pack with a bell on it
• Walkers wearing a t-shirt with the text Nijemegen Marches. Day 1. Day 2. Day 3. Day 4. .. Day 1 was ticked as completed
• Two soldiers walking along supporting a third soldier in the middle – helping her to keep going.
• Hose pipes fixed to a stand with a sign – Water
• Supporting couple dressed as HRH Queen Elizabeth & HRH Prince Philip
• Soldiers singing as they march
• Ladies band – players all dressed up in smart frocks and hats.

I have some more video to share with you. I have been a bit more selective today, but it is hard to video as you are walking: Arctic-Mummy Nijmegen Marches – Day of Wijchen

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