Walking the dykes of Flevoland

When I drove to Flevoland the first time, late October 2018, I was under the impression it would be a one time thing only, accompany a Peaker on one of the legs of her challenge. Little did I know it would be the first of many early morning drives to join a group of Dutch Peakers for a walk.

It was still dark when I left home at 6:30 am on that Sundaymorning and after a 2 hour drive, and picking up another Peaker halfway, we arrived at the starting point near Elburg, a parkinglot near a Beachclub. It was a chilly morning and we were craving for coffee and in need of a restroom and neither was available, since the Beachclub was closed. Until the owner appeared and we decided to give it a go and asked if we could please please have a cup of coffee. Shortly after he returned with coffee and even let us use the restroom, showing that hospitality and kindness still exist.

I have no idea what I expected from this walk. Of course I looked forward to this meetup and activity with other Peakers. And the 20 km walk would be a next milestone in distance, since, until then, a 16 km walk during a one-day visit to Istanbul and a 16 km downhill hike through the Samariagorge on Crete were the longest. I can only say that when I drove home I knew this was the first but definitely not the last part of the dykes I had walked! A long story short: in the end I drove 6 consecutive times to Flevoland for a walk over the dykes, a total of about 120 km for me. And I was not the only one. There was always a group of Dutch Peakers, varying from 2 – 10 to accompany our friend on her challenge. The total distance was 190 km, devided in 9 walks, of about 20 km each.

After the chilly start we were blessed with a gorgeous sunny day during our first walk. And even November let us mostly walk in sunny circumstances, chilly but sunny. It was as if the elements thought we needed to be tempted to come more often, which was completely unnecessary. We walked, regardless of the weatherforecast. Sun, rain, wind or cold, it didn’t matter. In fact, to me, sometimes the weathercircumstances added something extra to a walk. Afterwards it felt as if I had conquered an extra element. And I always drove home with a feeling of immense content, physically tired, but mentally revived and energised.

The surroundings were absolutely amazing. I never thought there would be so much variety in landscape while walking on or alongside a dyke. The southeastside and southside of Flevoland are slightly wooded and across the water the other shore is visible. Here we passed a lot of campsites on the shore and small and bigger towns on the other side. Flevoland is a flat province with wide open space and the more westward we walked the more the large energy generating windmills dominated the dykes. It’s a sight that is not to everyones liking but somehow they fit in this landscape, although I can understand that people living in close proximity don’t agree with me. They cast a giant shadow and are very noisy!

Along the westside and northwest side of Flevoland one side is dominated by the IJsselmeer, with sometimes a glimpse of Amsterdam across the water. Although the weather still treated us with sunshine, the winds were stronger and extra warm clothes became a necessity. Eventually November showed its true face. Our walk on the westside, through the Oostvaardersplassen, was a real challenge in itself. It was a grey and sometimes misty day, with temperatures just above 0°C that felt freezing due to the cold wind from the north blowing in our face, and stops were as short as possible to prevent from getting too cold. A deep sigh was heard when we finally reached the other side of the dyke where we found at least some shelter from the cold wind. On our walk along the northwest side rainprotection was needed, but on our last part, that ended where our Peakerfriend’s journey began, we were again blessed with a cold but sunny day.

Like I said before I never expected so much variety in landscape along these dykes. Whether it’s a landscape with forest, campsites and harbours or meadows, distant towns, or the vast open space of the IJsselmeer and the Oostvaardersplassen, each has their own charm. Combined with the uplifting company of friends it was a unique experience in every way. Challenges were accomplished, limits were pushed, elements were conquered and friendships were formed. But most of all, it was pure joy to be in the presence of a group of likeminded people, who were (sometimes) strangers at first but became friends along the way.

After all these Sundaywalks together we realised that we would miss these walks very much once the challenge was accomplished, and started thinking of continuing walking with groups of Dutch Peakers in 2019. Before the end of 2018 we had a scheme with 22 walks all over the Netherlands in 2019. Walks where one Peaker would/will show us a part of the province she lives in, her own ‘backyard’ or another part she’d like to show us. As I write this we just completed walk number 9 (blog: https://wp.me/paWbrQ-7C ) and I was lucky to participate in almost all of them so far. It already brought me to beautiful places and there is more to come from Dutch Peakers walking the Netherlands.

I am still grateful for the fact that one Dutch Peaker challenged herself to walk the dykes of Flevoland and allowed us to join her and that I took the step to do so. Going through the photoalbum I made and seeing the joyful photos makes me smile every time.

Sometimes the smallest step in the right direction ends up being the biggest step of your life. Tiptoe if you must, but take the step!

Lose your mind, find your soul

Yesterday’s walk with a group of 10 Dutch Peakers brought me to a small town in the province Zuid Holland, where the Peaker living there took us for a walk to show us her ‘backyard’. Again we discovered a beautiful part of our small country, another part of the Netherlands we would probably never have known of, if it weren’t for these walks.

Besides many familiar faces we also welcomed new members on this walk and, as happens every time, these new Peakers easily blended in in a group of Peakers who already know eachother for a longer time. We all come from different backgrounds and are of different age, but with (at least) one thing in common, we are all members of My Peak Challenge. Somehow this simple fact creates a bond even before meeting in real life.

One of the best things of these walks together, besides nature’s beauty, is that they offer an opportunity for conversation. Whether in the company of one other walker or a whole group, there is always something to talk about, chitchat or serious conversation. Especially serious topics are easier to talk about walking alongside someone than sitting opposite. It’s less confronting, there is more space around and there is room for emotions and for silence.

Talking while walking often helps to put things in perspective. Recognising your own difficulties in the story of a companion makes it less heavy. Sharing worries or issues doesn’t solve them, but somehow it makes them easier to bear. And the joy to be in nature and the laughter about the funny things in life are simply uplifting.

Walks like this spread so much positive energy, it has to be felt outside the group too. I always go home filled with energy, a happy heart, peaceful mind and feeling grateful for the friends and friendship I found through them.

An unexpected connection between past and present

I live in the Netherlands in the province Noord-Brabant. Besides its beautiful nature reserves Brabant is also the province where The Efteling, the largest themepark in the Netherlands, is situated. The Efteling has a history of 68 years and started as a place to relax and where fairytales were brought to life. Nowadays it’s a World of Wonders where fairytales, adventure and rollercoasters guarantee a day filled with fun and joy.

When I was little my parents often took me the Efteling. Especially on very warm days it was a welcome relief to be in the cool environment of the fairytales in the forest. In those days there was also a swimmingpool. When our own children were young hubby and I went there with them too, often when there was a fair in our hometown. The boys then had a free Monday and Tuesday from school while there was no nationwide holiday and often the only people in the park were from our hometown.

Dutch Peakers in the Efteling (2018)
Photo: Amfion

In October 2018 I visited the Efteling myself with a large group of Dutch Peakers of various age for a fun day out. And a fun day it was! No matter your age, the Efteling always brings your inner child out and makes you feel like a teenager again for a day, strolling through the fairytale forest, and taking rides in the rollercoasters and other attractions. And we talk. A lot!

Talking with other members of my chosen family are always the best part of these gatherings. They vary from chitchat to serious talks about the issues we encounter in life. And so, in the course of this wonderful day, one of our members, who lives in the province Flevoland, told about the challenge she had given herself: walking the dykes that surround Flevoland before the end of the year. To understand what that means I need to tell a bit about Flevoland.

Flevoland is the youngest and smallest province of the Netherlands, and above all, it’s a ‘man made’ province, a polder! The land was once covered with water, but by building dykes and using mills to pump away the water it became dry land where people could live. (This is a very short and simple way to explain, in fact it takes many many years before a polder is ready). The Netherlands know many of these areas that once were water, but now are dry land. Polders were created for various reasons, but mainly as protection against the water that surrounds our country and to create more space to live.

The Dutch Peaker who planned to walk the dykes that surround Flevoland wanted to do this as a way of embracing the province she is living in for 50 years now and we were welcome to join her on her walks which she had planned on the following Sundays. Two weeks later I joined her on her second walk.

DCIM\100MEDIA

It wasn’t my first visit to Flevoland. Fifteen years before, in November 2003, I went there too, with my whole family, to plant trees for my father in ‘Het Wilhelminabos’ in Dronten. From 2000 until 2015 trees could be planted there (in November) in memory of loved ones who had lost their battle against cancer. The forest created this way, symbolises life. It grows, protects, dies and passes life on. It’s also a peaceful place, for memories, sadness and joy. The names of loved ones (many thousands) are engraved in glass panels at the site of the forest. My father had lost his battle in March 2003 and his grandchildren planted 2 trees in his memory. A few years later we visited the site again, to see for ourself how much the trees had grown.

And so last years visit to the themepark I once went to with my parents caused my return to the province where my children planted trees in memory of one of them ….

I embrace you with my feeling
I cross
Distance and time
Just touch you
Be close to you
Just for a moment
Just
Be with you

It’s about the journey, not the goal…

This title is a quote from Cameron McNeish and when I read it on a friend’s Facebookpage I could only agree. We tend to look only at the goals we want to reach, without taking notice of what happens around us to get there, while the whole journey, literally and figuratively, is so worthwhile. A day like today literally shows it so clearly.

Today I drove almost 400 km in my little blue car to join members of my chosen family for a walk. My little car and I share some similarities. Both middle aged and making creaking noises. And both battered. My car from a terrible hailstorm in 2016, and I from lifes’ issues. But we keep on going, as long as we can.

From the moment I set off I slowly felt tension ease and not long after that I could relax and enjoy my ride. I like to drive, and don’t mind the long journey ahead. My days out always start as soon as I shut the door behind me. Although busy traffic needed attention, there was also time to enjoy the passing landscape and enjoy the fact that the sun was coming out in contrast to earlier predictions.

Our walk showed again how beautiful our country is. So small and yet so much variety in landscape. My passion for walking brought me to a beautiful place once again.

But walking here with members of a chosen family, Dutch Peaker sisters, is the best part of it all. The friendship, the conversations and the warmth of their company is all that is needed to bring joy and give energy that still lasts, long after we parted.

And so, when I arrived home after again a 2 hour drive, I could look back on a beautiful day out in great company, a fantastic journey from beginning to end! The goal, another great walk to look back on, was achieved, but the journey to get there and back was worth just as much!

My Peak Challenge, a great choice

In 2017 I joined My PeakChallenge (shortcut: MPC). According to its founder Sam Heughan, who I also mentioned in a previous blog, My Peak Challenge (founded in 2015) is “A healthy lifestyle and fitness program. It offers a workoutplan and nutritionplan and it is scalable to all levels and abilities. It aims to give our community the support and knowledge to help themselves, whilst helping others. On top of that 50% of the membershipfee goes to Bloodwise for Blood Cancer research.”

My Peak Challenge encourages its members to set a challenge (physical or nonphysical) and while working towards it with help of the program, learn to live a healthier, happier and more balanced life. On a private Facebookpage members, called Peakers, can share their stories, worries, goals and achievements. It’s a safe place to find help, encouragement, inspiration and motivation and give the same in return. Meanwhile 50% of the membershipfee goes to charity and worldwide there are more than 10000 Peakers at this moment!

I mainly joined MPC because of the charity. In 2003 my father died of cancer. One of the 3 forms of cancer he suffered from was a rare type of bloodcancer, so this was, and still is, a perfect way to help raise money for Bloodcancer research.

MPC is a global community. It connects people from all over the world, as I experienced myself. And although I may never meet some of these friends in real life, the friendships are strong!

In many countries Peakers also founded national groups and shortly after I joined MPC I joined the Dutch Peakers in the Netherlands. Little did I know at that time how important this group would become in my life. These past 2 years I participated, together with them, in activities I never would have thought of before and we all stepped out of our comfortzone more than once. We come in different ages and shapes, and from different backgrounds, but we lift eachother up, help, encourage, inspire, motivate and comfort when needed.

And so, while not following the mealplan and workouts on a daily basis, I benefit from MPC in more than one way:

Adjustments to my meals helped me to lose the last few kilo’s I never got rid of before (and they stay off!!)
The workouts, goals, progress and achievements from other Peakers made me realise that I set my own limits, my own goals and that age is just a number!

But best of all: My Peak Challenge enriched my life with a group of women, here and around the globe, who have become more than friends, they are my chosen family!