Stories from markers: Annet Kooijmans

Our marker Annet Kooijmans lives right next to our route in Groesbeek (map 7, dot 10). Pilgrims are welcome to visit her for a cup of coffee for a voluntary contribution. She has a house to spend the night that is very popular, often you can eat with her. “Would you like to write a piece?” I asked her. The same day I had a message in my mail. “Nice idea, I wrote it right away”.

“Our B&B is 20.7 km from the Stevenskerk. On the route. In the winter it is quiet, but in the spring the phone goes off and on. Do you have an overnight stay for us? Often I have to say ‘no’ and I can refer to the back neighbors (1 km away), sometimes people ask questions. Can they sleep on the couch? No, it doesn’t. They wouldn’t feel like that at home either, in a complete stranger on the couch, I think.

Today is one of those spring days. A day on which many pilgrims pass the Waldgraaf, towards the German forest. It’s already 7:00 p.m. and my guests haven’t arrived yet. It’s getting a little dark already. Would they come? Would they be able to find it? Are all the markings still in order? No, that’s nonsense, we’ve just checked them.

The bell rings at 7:30 p.m. They’re there. Sweaty heads and dusty shoes. Lovely, a bed, chairs, bathroom. Quite far, and especially that last part, from Beek. Lots of climbing. Pooh pooh…

There is another way. Then the bell rings at 4:00 p.m. “Am I good here? B&B? Fine. Beautiful walk, nice weather too. How lucky, I even swam in the Bison Bay. Lovely walk. Yes, indeed, hilly, but tasty.

Still different. The bell rings. Two women, sweaty, desperate look. Can we please spend the night here? No, we’re full, sorry. Have a cup of tea or coffee. They booked in the village, which is really far off the route and from us still an hour’s walk. Ai…. We’ll bring them along.

And so everyone walks his or her own pilgrimage, well prepared or a bit on the gamble, heavily packed or a little less on the back, good shoes or old shoes, a full head or an empty head.

I ask every guest if the marking was correct. Almost always the answer is: From the Stevenskerk it is difficult, but once in the Ooijpolder it is clear.

A few times a year I check the route from the Duivelsberg to our house. Cut away a twig here and there, stick a new sticker on it or do whatever it takes to keep the route clear. It’s a remote area, no one ever asks me what I’m doing. And yet, that would be a good question, because really, they exist… People who take these kinds of signs with them as a memory.”

Annet Kooijmans

Pilgrims who pass by can ring the bell for a cup of coffee or tea for a voluntary contribution. You’re invited..!