Day 3: From Gorinchem to… where am I again? Oh right, Veen!

The day started, as is now tradition, completely different from what I had planned. First: a mini mission. Everything I didn’t need (read: half my luggage) had to go back home. Why do I always bring so much? Do I really think I’ll have time to read three books, wear an extra jacket, and do yoga with that mat on the road?

Breakfast was a classic culinary highlight: currant buns (always good), a banana (nice and healthy), and an apple (for that healthy vibe). Then: last-minute packing, shower, and mentally preparing myself for another bit of adventure.

But — plot twist! — before leaving, a spontaneous coffee date with family I hadn’t seen in ages. Super cozy! A good catch-up before I ventured out again like a modern-day pilgrim.

Since the weather turned and I wanted to cover some dry kilometers (read: no wet socks), I decided to leave my hotel a bit earlier. Off to Woudrichem! Taking the ferry — always a little holiday feeling — I arrived and walked through a beautiful old city gate into the picturesque town center. Truly the kind of place where you expect someone in medieval clothes on a horse to come trotting by any moment.

After that, a nice walk along the dike toward Veen. Sunny, a bit windy, perfectly fine. At a campsite by the water, I thought: this is where I’m staying! … Until I discovered there was nothing to eat. Nada. Zilch. So, hungry as I was, I kept walking, and sure enough: there was a Jumbo supermarket, my savior in times of hunger. Small shopping here, a snack there… and on to a small nearby campsite.

Set up my tent there, half asleep. Shower? No way. I practically collapsed into my sleeping bag and went to bed early. Ready to be (sort of) fresh for tomorrow!

Day 4: From Veen to… blisters, spare ribs, and a little panic 🥾🍖

The day started gray. Not just the sky, but my motivation too. The rain hung threateningly above me as if saying: “Go ahead, I dare you.” But well, time to wake up, shower, break down the tent — the morning ritual of a hiking adventurer without a proper campsite breakfast.

So off to my favorite spot in Veen: the Jumbo! But not just for groceries this time (okay, a bit), mainly for that cozy little eatery next door, run by people with a special story. I had already been there yesterday for ice cream and coffee, but today I went all in: fried eggs, coffee… a true royal meal. Tank full, time to go!

With some snacks and water in my bag, I headed towards Drunen. Or so I thought. After 17 kilometers, the misery started: blisters. The real, painfully-mean-I-don’t-want-this kind. Every step felt like mini torture, and I was seriously done.

Time for plan B. No trekkers’ hut available (of course not, it was full), so I switched to: hotel mode. And not just any hotel: one with a riding stable just outside Drunen. When I called to ask if someone could pick me up, the receptionist said: “I’m coming.” And sure enough, she jumped in her car herself to fetch me. Heroine. Really.

That evening I celebrated life (and the fact that I was sitting down) with a huge plate of spare ribs. Rain hammered against the windows while I did absolutely nothing. Lovely nothing. But somewhere, a little dip… because: blisters. The big villains. Are they going to ruin my whole trip?

In slight panic, I called the pedicure and the doctor. Their advice was sober and short: “Pierce, disinfect, cover. And keep going.” So that’s what I did the next day. And I decided: I’m staying two nights in this hotel. Recharge. Body rest. Mind rest. And hopefully feet rest too. After all, it’s still vacation.

Day 5 – Drunen: Blisters, biking, and avocado adventures

Waking up with blisters is hardly a dream… and then realizing I have to take care of those beasts myself? Panic in the tent! But first: coffee and breakfast in the hotel — because blister treatment on an empty stomach is asking for trouble.

Walking to Drunen was out of the question (blister level: drama), so plan B: the electric bike! Turbo mode on, cape fluttering like a hero on two wheels, and full speed ahead to the drugstore. I spent a small fortune on blister plasters, tape, ointments — everything the first aid aisle had to offer. Also grabbed needles at the HEMA. (Always feels a bit sketchy, but hey — medical necessity!)

Back at the hotel: time for the confrontation. After some inner pep talk (“just do it”), I pierced my blisters like a true first-aid pro. Painful? Yes. Healing? Also yes. And you know what… it actually went pretty well! Confidence back on track.

Since I was now officially my own blister care specialist, I rented a bike again and pedaled back to Drunen. There, I scored an avocado smasher and a nice coffee as a reward for my heroics. Then I shopped for essentials: an extra toiletry bag just for my blister kit (yes, it’s a full kit now), rain protection for my phone (I can now message underwater if needed), water for tomorrow, bifi turkey sausages (the hiker’s snack), protein bars, and — of course — white tiger balm. Just because it’s nice to breathe again like your nostrils are a spa.

Back at the hotel, chilled out, wrote a blog post, and later enjoyed dinner at Herberg D’n Dries. Then packed the last things, took a warm shower, and hit the bed.

Tomorrow: off to Oisterwijk! Hopefully with fewer blisters and even more adventures.