In the morning at 6:00 a friend drops me off in Lexmond. That’s one of the advantages of hiking close to your home. It is dark and cold (wind from the east), but the weather should be good today.

Lexmond, in the community of Vianen, is a name that is mentioned most on the Dutch radio; it is situated next to the crossing of two of the busiest highways in the country, the A27 and the A2, and during many hours per day there are traffic jams. It is inevitable that the sound of the traffic resonands to the trail, also later on today as the trail goes parallel to the A2 and the A15. Nevertheless it is nice to be on the trail, with wind in your hair and cold air in your nose. Shortly after the start some trees are being passed, in the Netherlands we refer to this as woods, or a forrest, but when you have crossed German or Slovakian forrests on your E8 you understand the tinyness of our country. 

out of the forrest, on to the road

The majority of the scenery today is crossing meadows, on paved and unpaved roads. It is comfortable to use, so it gives the oppertunity to enjoy the endless views to the horizon, in stead of watching your feet the whole day. 

clear signage

After 17km the trail crosses the village of Schoonrewoerd. Next to the church there is an award winning bakeryshop and I enjoy some pastry on the street bench outsidein front of the shop. An hour later I cross the city of Leerdam. It is small, very traditional for its production of cheese and candles. From here onwards the trail starts to follow the big rivers again. 

The trail follows the river banks of the Linge river, with big curves through the countryside. The small villages that you pass on the way are lovely and peacefull. The region that the trail is entering now, the Betuwe, is the country’s fruit barn. Along the trail many kilometers of orchards (apples, pears, prume, etc.) are strictly organised. Of course in October the views are not so charming as in May when the trees are blossoming, but is still nice. Just before arriving in my finish for today I pass a windmill, a white one. Geldermalsen has a railway station on a very line, so it is easy to go home again.

inevitable windmill

In the train back home I calculate that I have now hiked exactly 4.000 km’s along the E8. Only a few more to go until my final finish.