Days 1-4

Wow!! 4 days walking across and through beautiful countryside in Holland.
Day 1- S'Hertogenbosch - Haaren 24km Sunny with passing clouds. Busy today with cyclists and walkers as it is Sunday. Alongside canals and through grassland and woods. Leaving the city the walk takes us along the old ramparts and beside the water. Following the map isn't always easy but I get there in the end.
Day 2- Haaren - Vessem 29kms. The B&B where I stayed was great with a big breakfast provided and a lunch packet to take with me along the way. Am working out how to use the map with directions combined with approx distances I get an idea of the time it will take between turns etc. the birds are busy, cuckoos calling, geese honking, ducks on the water but thankfully no ticks from the long grass beside the canals. The weather is perfect for walking - overcast and sometimes a light breeze. In Vessem I am welcomed by the volunteers at the pilgrims refuge where I have my own room - such luxury for pilgrim accommodation. Warm typical Dutch dinner together with a glass of wine. It rains all night.
Day 3- Vessem - Waalre 20+ kms
Today my friend Janny has  joined me and we will walk together for the next 3 days. It rains all day. Puddles and mud, rain and more rain. Walking through the beech, oak, birch and conifer forests there is also the drip drip from the trees.  But, thankfully no wind. Beautiful countryside and a couple of small villages where we can drink coffee and eat soup for lunch. After 8 hours of walking we arrive at our B&B. Everything unpacked and the backpack is hung up to dry. Thank goodness for plastic bags.
Day 4- Waalre - Heeze 13km
More sandy paths through woods and meadows. Past a lovely lake with water lilies and a goose family. Mother goose, father goose and 4 goslings. Weather is overcast, still and perfect for walking. We arrive early in Heeze and take a walk around the town where we will later return for dinner. We are truly blessed to be able to undertake this adventure.