A Soaking Wet and a Wise Lesson – My Hiking Adventure Begins

Day 1/2

Full of enthusiasm (and dry socks), I started my hike in Driebruggen, heading towards Bergambacht. After about an hour and a half of walking, it started to rain. And I don’t mean a romantic drizzle — no, this was full-on pouring rain. As if the rain had taken it personally, it just wouldn’t stop. Apparently, the heavens thought: let him get used to it right away.

With a heavy backpack, a rain jacket that had long given up the fight, and soaking wet pockets where even my phone started swimming, I kept walking. My clothes stuck to my skin, my mood was somewhere near my ankles, and the thought that I would be doing this for three more weeks “for fun” suddenly felt… ambitious.

About five kilometers before the campsite, I found a supermarket. Bought water and food — because yes, hunger and dehydration aren’t better alternatives. The extra kilos in my bag weren’t a party, but I had little choice.

At the campsite, I was lucky to meet a kind woman who offered me a dry spot under a shelter. No grass or soft earth, but stones. Fine by me! Set up my tent in a shed (dry is dry), ate something warm, and quickly took a shower. Luckily, my mom was still nearby and kindly came to pick up my soaking wet things. Heroine.

That night I lay on my mat on the hard stones, shivering in my sleeping bag. The next morning, I woke up with a back that creaked like an old wooden floor. Great start for day two.

My mom dropped me off in Groot-Ammers so I could continue my journey towards Gorinchem. The first 15 kilometers went surprisingly well — the back pain was still there, but I was on a roll. Until my feet suddenly decided they’d had enough. Every step became a mini-torture. Normally I would be stubborn and push through (“come on, tough it out!”), but this time I chose common sense (who am I?) and took a taxi to the hotel.

Arriving at the Tres Boutique Hotel, I immediately jumped into the shower and then crashed like a stone into bed. I slept for hours straight. Apparently, I really needed that.

Once I felt a bit human again, I went to explore Gorinchem. A little walk through the town brought me to a charming pizzeria behind the church, where I treated myself to pizza, coffee, and melon with ham. Not bad, right?

Back at the hotel, I gave my backpack a thorough overhaul. Stuff I really don’t want to carry anymore? That’s going home in a package tomorrow. I also aired out my sleeping bag and tent — everything to start fresh again.

I decided to stay two nights in Gorinchem. A pause, a breath. Because honestly? This adventure isn’t just about walking. It’s about exploring (and sometimes crossing) boundaries, letting go of fixed routines, and learning to enjoy the journey.

I had moments when I wanted to give up. Moments when I thought: what have I gotten myself into? But still, I managed to pull myself together again. Sometimes you just need a little rest to get used to a traveling life. And to be honest: this kind of journey shows you parts of yourself that you’d never discover at home, in your comfortable routine.

To be continued!