More of this Feature • Getting There • Day 1 • Day 2-3 • Day 4-5 • Day 6 • Day 7 • Photos

Related Resources • Christina's '97 Review • Gary's Ireland Walk • Gary's Luxembourg Review • Gary's Viborg 2-Day Walk Review

From Other Guides • Europe for Visitors

Elsewhere on the Web • Hærvejsvandring

The first morning we were bussed to breakfast, and from there we started the first day. 53 kilometers. I never walked that far before and doubts set in right away. But the doubts soon gave way to my being impressed with how beautiful Denmark is. The towns are nearly spotless, even in the industrial areas. The trails are well marked, Fodslaw maintained the route immaculately (I have a history of getting lost) and everyone among the 400 were open as usual and friendly.

Along the route of the first day I met Al from Britain. We talked and I learned his wife was retired from the RAF and he and she were nearly professional walkers. As we rounded one curve and were about leave the pavement and go onto a trail he invited me to join his group for a beer. They were supported by a Dane and an Irishman who drove a truck. Al's wife drove a van. They had a kitchen on the truck and much in the way of liquid refreshments on the van. Talk about support. I had breakfast and a beer (OK, it was 9 in the morning, when in Rome.......) Seems I was adopted again. Leo from Ireland was a card. He sang Irish songs and re-worded American ones. He kept us laughing during the breaks. And as it turned out the truck was always parked between the rest stops so it broke the route up every day and made it less of a struggle for me.

Al was a faster walker (I didn't pass too many people unless they were in a rest area) and I found myself walking alone around 11AM and one setting for the rest of march introduced itself. It rained. I don't mean a straight down rain, but one where the rain falls almost level with the ground, winds of 30mph and everything else. I had started the morning out with well Vaselined feet. Remember the rule, takes friction and moisture to create a blister. I did the country thing and looked outside that morning and not a cloud in the sky. Well, that doesn't work in Denmark. Small country surrounded on three sides by sea, the weather changes instantly. I first caught the storm on a part of the road bracketed by heavy woods. Many marchers stayed in this area and waited. And waited. Time is a factor even with these marches so I got my poncho on and started struggling up the road. After another hour or so I came to a village and found refuge in a car port. I lathered on the Vaseline and realized I didn't have a change of socks, so now I was in trouble.

Towards the end of the first day I was dragging. The route took us to a lake on the German/Danish border and my spirits were lifted. No post card could duplicate the scenery. A woman from Holland and I got to talking and I made no secret that I was soooooo tired. She stayed with me the rest of the way and kept talking and this took my mind of the fatigue. We passed one woman (never did find out what country she was from) who suffered from a disability that affected her legs. But she was working to keep going. She was also being assisted by someone. My heart went out to her, and I have to admit I didn't think I would see her at the finish.

The first day ended with my total gratitude, and when I entered the classroom at the school for that night in Denmark all the luggage from the truck had been off loaded by my team mates and was in place. I got the opportunity to know more about my colleagues. AnneMarie was an office specialist who lived in Boxmeer, The Netherlands. She was surprised at the number of events I had been to so early in my marching tenure (3rd year of serious marching). She also noticed I was hurting. The organization in the room was impressive. Everyone put some cash in a kitty and every day the first one back would buy beer and then be reimbursed from the kitty.

Next page > Days 2 and 3 > Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, Photos

Photos copyright 2001 Gary Nelson