“I feel the love of mother nature, the joy and appreciation” (pilgrim Joke Timmermans)
‘It’s the ‘place’ where you feel like you’re going with the flow of Mother Nature’s life’
Hello, my name is Joke living in Limburg and born and raised in Apeldoorn. My hobby is hiking. All my life I have been an active hiker. Being one with nature, enjoying the outdoors in all weathers. It gives me peace and energy. I am always looking for new inspiration and challenges. Until one day I ended up on the website of the Walk of Wisdom via Google. I want this too, I thought right away. So I immediately ordered the starter pack, couldn’t wait until I had it in my possession.
The day had finally arrived. By car to Boxmeer and then take the train to Nijmegen. When I arrived at the Stevenskerk I was welcomed by the administrator for the registration in the book for the Walk of Wisdom. Before leaving, a photo was taken of me in front of the modern patron saint, The Great Angel in the Stevens Church, of which you will receive a miniature replica for your backpack. I felt the adrenaline swirling in my blood, I wanted to hit the road. Finally the time had come and I walked out of the church with my loaded backpack (10.5 kg) towards De Waal to enter the beautiful area De Ooijpolder. I felt free, like a bird in the sky.
There is so much going on in the world. What a privileged person I felt at that moment that I can and may be here. I feel the love of mother nature, the joy and appreciation. It is the frequency on which your Greater, Inner Self sits. It is the ‘place’ where you feel that you are going along with the Flow of Mother Nature’s Life. It is the Vibrational Reality where all your desires, big and small, reside, ready to manifest. It is there, where you are in alignment with Source Energy, that is called ……”the path of your own wisdom” The Walk of Walk of Wisdom.
While walking I enjoy the birds, the rippling of the water, even the crunching of damp grass or stones under my shoes make me happy. I’m not in a hurry, resting on a piece of tree trunk at the water’s edge at Bison Bay, I enjoy my coffee from the thermos with a sandwich. The bison are up to their abdomen in Bison Bay and watch it with sorrow. After strengthening my inner feelings, I grab my backpack and continue walking.
I get my first bird ring at Oortjeshekken. Outside on the terrace while enjoying a drink, I attach it to the leather lace. I enjoy myself and catch myself being as happy as a child who gets a piece of candy. Once I have continued my path of wisdom, I arrive after beautiful roads and paths in Beek Ubbergen where I spend the night with Jasper Koedam and his girlfriend. It is just off the route. I was very warmly welcomed, and over a cup of tea we exchanged experiences back and forth.
After a nice shower and a good night’s sleep, and a hearty breakfast, I continued my path. It is so wonderful to be one with nature. Twists and turns, deep valleys, hills, stairs and streams what a pleasure. Soon after that I had to face a best climb called the Duivelsberg. Wonderful, how much a person misses if you don’t like walking, goes through me. A tough climb with all those steps, but I wouldn’t have wanted to miss it. Once at the top, you will be rewarded with a view of Villa Wylerberg.
After walking for a while through the beautiful surroundings with stairs, climbs and beautiful views, I arrive at the bench in front of Iris which I gratefully use to enjoy the view. Then I continue my path in silence and enjoy. Breathe in the fresh air and constantly look around me and let everything come in. Further on in Kranenburg and the Reichswald, nature has a completely different character but no less beautiful with its Koningsven, swamp areas and strongly overgrown paths. It is another beautiful walking day, I realize that all too well when I arrive in Milsbeek after walking km’s and am forced to interrupt my path of wisdom here due to work.
I continue my path of wisdom from Milsbeek with a group of 10 ladies. A totally different experience. At the Sint Jansberg, known for its spring streams and old trees from the Ice Age, we head towards Mokerheide. It’s the Sunday after that storm and everywhere there are fallen giants of trees. It’s every now and then crawl through and sneak through. On an open plain on the Mokerheide we take a break to enjoy the view. The young Scottish Highlanders are very curious and come to take a look.
After a while we leave this plain and so does the Mokerheide to walk towards the Glider Airfield via the Heumense Schans. At the Glider Airport we decide to eat or drink something and I get another bird ring. In the meantime, div. colors on my leather lace. Afterwards we walk towards Malden and also the final stop of this day. The next stage I decide to walk my own path of wisdom again. I enjoy nature and everything around me more when I’m out and about alone. Nothing to the detriment of these ladies.
From Malden, where I pick it up again at Landgoed Elshof, I walk around Elshof, a beautiful villa in the direction of the Maaswaal Canal. I fully enjoy nature and the peace, the silence again and I feel one with mother nature again. I look around and enjoy myself to the fullest. Walking slowly I approach the lookout hill on the Hatertse Vennen, what a beautiful nature. On top of the hill I ate my sandwiches and enjoyed nature. What a sizeable area. As far as you can see, fens and heathland. The water was frozen and sometimes gave a whimsical appearance.
Walking further on in the direction of Het Buitencentrum I come to the fever tree and the ruins of St. Peter’s. Walrick. I have a fabric with me with onions and bows on it to hang in that tree. This fabric with bows is for a sick friend, and the one with Owls for myself to give me wisdom and my inner sadness. I spent some time here in silence before continuing my path along the wooden wall.
On to Alverna, Nederasselt and Grave. Along the way I take several photos to put together a book for myself later. On my path I pass a chapel of Our Lady where I take off my backpack and take a seat on the bench. I burn a candle for my deceased husband and a sick friend, and write a piece in the Pilgrim’s Book that I see lying there. It’s Valentine’s Day, a beautiful sunny day but cold. After about half an hour I leave the Chapel and walk in the direction of Nederasselt. I walk between many meadows and ditches, over a small bridge towards the farms. It is flat and barren here compared to what I have encountered on my path so far.
Walking further towards Grave I get a view of the Graafse bridge that you walk over. At the other end of the bridge, on the right, there is a monument from the 2nd World War (this bridge was captured on September 17, 1944), in the country road slightly off the cycle path is the Sasse pumping station. Opposite the harbour in Grave is the Catharina nursing home. There I enjoyed the beautiful view of the beautiful yachts while enjoying a cup of cappuccino in the restaurant of the nursing home. Afterwards I walked through the center of Grave and picked up my bird ring at the tourist office, I went into the world shop. Here I bought a nice souvenir for myself before walking to the bus station for another break from my path. So far I have enjoyed my path of wisdom which is called ” Walk of Wisdom” Still 4 bird rings to go., Oss, Wijchen, Druten and Beuningen.
Today, February 21st, I continued my path of wisdom from Grave to Wijchen. On my path along the Wetering I pass the monastery of the Capuchins. It is partly in the scaffolding to be restored. I got talking to a lady who was walking her dog there. While talking about the monastery, she walked along for a while.
To my regret, I find out much later that I forgot to visit the Chapel. Despite the loss, I walked on towards Keent. What a beautiful area it is where beautiful cattle walk. A pair of rare ones with super large erect horns. Wonderful, what colossal animals. I was able to capture them nicely on the photo. At the end of that area I walk along the Keentseweg towards the war monument at the end of the bridge on the left. Unfortunately, I have not been able to discover the replica of the discontinued watch. Well, you can’t ignore the monument.
Walking further towards Overlangel on the dike, I arrive at the Loonse Schuur, a tea and coffee house in a rural atmosphere. Unfortunately it was closed. I rang the doorbell to ask if it was convenient for a bird ring. The owner Kees Trommelen came to the door and showed me the way that there is a jam jar at the back of the gate with the bird rings in it. I thanked Mr. Kees and walked around the grounds to the barn. When I took a bird ring out of the jam jar, Kees asked me if I would like a cup of coffee. Well, please, I said, if I don’t keep you from the work. Kees invited me to come inside and made us a delicious cup of coffee. We have a nice chat together. Kees was interested and asked what led me to walk the Walk of Walk of Wisdom .
It is a beautiful location located on the edge of the dike. You can go there for coffee, tea, cake and there is also a lunch menu. It can accommodate 50 people. There is also the possibility for high tea or various cooking workshops. It is located at Maasdijk 18 in Neerloon. The owner is a very nice and welcoming man. I advise every pilgrim, hiker or cyclist to plan a rest there. The catering area will reopen at Easter. After coffee I thank Kees for his hospitality and I go on the road again.
And while walking over the dike under the bridge I arrive at the town of Ravenstein. It’s a nice little town with beautiful historic buildings and small houses. After I have walked through the town I head towards the ferry. Unfortunately, the foot spring is out. But no problem because a short distance back you can also get to the other side of the Maas via the highway bridge. But before I do that, I’m going to eat something at the Veerhuis. It is a cozy restaurant right across from the ferry.
After crossing the highway bridge, I continue my stage in the direction of Niftrik. The path goes down along the dike on a path with beautiful very old pollard willows, which can be seen by the thickness of their trunk. Arriving at hotel Hoogeerd I decide to have a cappuccino on the terrace in the sun. There you have a breathtaking view over the mouth of the Meuse. I continue my path and walk in the direction of Wijchen. While walking, I look forward to the ceramics studio of Terrazul, where there is a wishing fireball in the backyard. I certainly don’t want to ignore that. When we get there, it turns out that it is closed. Very unfortunate. But I decide to put it to the test and walk to the back to see if I can catch a glimpse of the wishing fireball for a photo. There I met the lady from the studio by chance. I asked her if it was possible to see the wishing fireball. The lady was kind enough to light the wishing fireball especially for me so that I could make my wish. I also left a story in the pilgrim book Walk of Wisdom .
How I once again enjoyed another beautiful stage and very hospitable people on my path of wisdom. How privileged I feel. Despite the fact that De Loonse Schuur and the Terrazul studio were both closed, these lovely owners still received me hospitably. Once again, I would like to thank them. It has enriched my path of wisdom.
Joke Timmermans
