#RunFrodoRun – Holland, Belgium and Germany (approx 290 miles)
My ride on the Bucklebury Ferry to continue my journey to Mordor!
Day 8: Bradfield to Hook of Holland
The ring grew heavier (or I was getting more tired. It’s hard to tell…) as I approached Harwich for the ferry on Sunday morning; one week precisely since the Manchester Marathon.
I was looking forward to a day of doing nothing. The sun had finally come out after almost a full week of rain, so sitting by the window was pleasant and I had eight solid hours to just sit there and relax.
I had my bivvie hanging on a railing, which I slowly rotated like a rotisserie every hour or so to dry it, but other than that and a few bits on social media, that was all I did for eight whole hours. I didn’t even eat anything as the food on board was a little bit expensive for my budget, but I didn’t mind. I was happy just to sit and not be running for a while.
With the pressure of catching the ferry now behind me, I could afford to ease off on the mileage a little and treat this more like a journey than a running challenge. I had my mind set on a few places I found on google maps such as “Isengard” and “Rivendell”. The first of these places was up in Delft, so I made a start heading in that direction before getting hopelessly lost multiple times and giving up to sleep.
Day 9: Hook of Holland to Delft (approx. 20km)
I now had almost three weeks ahead of me before I would be flying back into the West on the eagles. The distance to Mordor was actually not far enough to justify travelling in a straight line. This meant I could focus on finding some perfect off-road routes and meeting new people along the way. The weather forecast was good for the next week or so, so things were looking good!
Here are just a few of my highlights in pictures from my journey and there will be more to follow for anyone who has found this interesting…
Day 10: Delft to De Hoef (approx. 35km)
I look in need of a Rivendell stop here!
Breaking my budget slightly, but didn’t care.
Day 11: De Hoef to Nijkirk (approx. 55km)
6:50am. Good morning!
Yep. Definitely in Holland.
So many farms and fields in Holland.
Seemed a decent spot to air out my camping kit.
I’d better watch out for Saruman here!
Day 12: Nijkirk to Zeumeren Forest via Rivendell (approx. 50km)
Inside the windmill in Ermelo
Meeting Han, one of the volunteer guides
Forest trail I got lost in around the village of Drie
Day 13: Zeumeren Forest to Massbommel (approx. 50km)
This is how I slept most nights.
Day 14: Massbommel to Geldrop (approx. 60km)
Eindhoven
Day 15: Day off in Geldrop
Waking up in the woods
View at 9am peering out of the bivvie.
Morning! What have I found here?
Oh dear.. That looks ominous!
Back home I am nothing. Over here, I am a small road!
Day 16: Geldrop to Bree (approx. 35km)
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- Thanks to NH Geldrop for letting me stay for free! Wasn’t expecting that.
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- Breakfast to try and get rid of a cold.
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- First sit down, cooked meal since the UK!
Crossed the border into Belgium around here.
This is where I’m supposed to meet Gandalf.
Waiting patiently for the rain to stop. Unfortunately, it didn’t.
Day 17: Bree to Roermond (approx. 30km) (included a 10km ride)
Back into Holland again!
Thank you to this exceptional family! A VERY welcome respite!
Day 18: Roermond to Swalmen (approx. 15km)
Day 19: Swalman to Krefield (approx. 45km)
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- Pension Groenewoud, Swalmen
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- Everything looked built by hand
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- Just off the river Swalm
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- Paul and José
Day 20: Krefield to Wedau (approx. 20km)
I was sat under here for 3 hrs waiting for the rain to stop
8:30pm it stopped raining. Now LEG IT to the forest to sleep dry!
9:10pm
9:15pm rain starting up again. Just made it!
Day 21: Wedau to Mordor (approx. 20km)
More rain!
Celebrations and almost the last of the money.. Now 5 days to chill before flying home.
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