ON THE ROUTE
BLUE TUESDAY
‘It all began with walking as part of rehabilitation’
In photo: Liesbeth van der Cammen
When Liesbeth van der Cammen (66) from Zoetermeer, after having had hernia surgery, was advised by her physiotherapist in 2011 to go for walks, she never imagined where it might lead. No longer able to play tennis, she decided to take up walking. Her husband René joined her, but he needed some kind of goal to stay motivated. That’s where the 4Days Marches came in. Twelve editions of the 4Days Marches later, walking has become an essential part of Liesbeth’s life. The excitement starts to build as soon as she registers in January. Liesbeth tells us how the 4Days Marches, and Blue Tuesday in particular, has enriched her life. From stunning views of rivers and bridges to loving words of encouragement from people lining the route in Elst. And she also has a few tips and bits of inspiration for us to make the first walking day a big success!
1. The bridge across the river Waal
Back in July 2012, the time had finally come. Liesbeth’s first 4Days Marches. Until then, walking had been easy on her back. But the 4Days Marches would probably be a little bit more taxing. Liesbeth: ‘That Tuesday morning, we set off from De Wedren. There I was, amidst all those people, it was so impressive! We soon crossed the bridge over the River Waal. All the cars had to pull over, people lined the route – it was such a special moment. Every year when I walk onto that bridge, I get emotional: here we are again, walking across. This is Nijmegen at its best. Looking out over that beautiful water…a wonderful moment!’
2. Elst in blue
After the bridge across the River Waal, the scenic Oosterhoutsedijk and several villages, the walkers enter Elst. Here, you simply cannot escape the fact that the colour of the day is blue. Liesbeth: ‘It all starts with a man dressed in blue on stilts standing as a gateway you walk through. The whole setting is just marvellous, with everyone dressed in blue. Even Elst’s church tower is decked out in blue. And the numerous police forces taking part further add to all the blue. Having walked the marches for over ten years now, I can safely say that the colour of the day is more prominent every year.’
3. Sore toes
Another image that the colour blue conjures up for Liesbeth is that of the toes of all those walkers: ‘I have yet to come across the first walker with pristine feet.’ Does Liesbeth have any tips to keep feet as pain-free as possible? ‘I always stick Fixomull on the soles of my feet. It’s fairly stretchy and you can use it for anything. It helps prevent friction and chafing. I also put a wad of WandelWol anti-pressure wool in my shoes and socks. And I always pack a pair of clean socks to change socks halfway. We always schedule a brief break after every ten kilometres. Preferably just after ten kilometres, because even that makes a difference. Also watch what you eat and drink. For each of the four days, I pack a hard-boiled egg and two water bottles, one filled with just water and one filled with water and a saline solution. Actually, broth makes for a good alternative to the salty water!’
‘You’re all doing it together: that’s the power of the 4Days Marches!’
4. A quick chat
Ever since her surgery, Liesbeth’s back has been pain-free. Despite how well she prepares, she does have a hard time during the walk now and then. What do you do when you’re at the end of your tether? Liesbeth: ‘I try to take my mind off it. I talk to my husband, or have a quick chat with another walker. That’s a great way to lift each other up, that’s my tip. A quick chat really is a great distraction. And look around you. The people lining the route are heart-warming. You’re all doing it together: that’s the power of the 4Days Marches!’
5. Poems
Another bit of advice that Liesbeth has for us is to also go for walks after the 4Days Marches. ‘Walking is always good for you. Go outside, even when the weather’s bad.’ The 4Days Marches has been a major inspiration to Liesbeth. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, she and her husband, along with a few of their friends, wanted to continue the tradition and personally recreated a 4Days Marches-style walk, with everything that goes with it. The 4Days Marches has even inspired her to write poems, which she has compiled into a book of poetry. About Blue Tuesday, she wrote the following poem:
De 4Daagse in één oogopslag [The 4Days Marches at a glance]
kent een eigen kleur op elke wandeldag [with a different colour for each walking day].
De start op Blauwe Dinsdag, een waterrijk gebied [The start on Blue Tuesday, a water-rich area],
waar iedereen in het blauw van de Rijn en Waal geniet [where everyone enjoys the Rivers Rhine and Waal dressed in blue].
[…]
Geniet van al die kleuren en alle vrolijkheid [Enjoy all those colours and cheerfulness],
waar vind je in vier dagen zo veel positiviteit! [where else can you find so much positivity packed into four days?]
Across the River Waal, just like the Romans
Even back in Roman times, Noviomagus (Nijmegen) was located at a strategic spot on the River Waal. The river was a vital lifeline. Goods and supplies were brought in by water. Archaeologists and historians suspect that the Romans were the ones who built the first bridge across the River Waal, probably where the railway bridge stands today. This crossing enabled soldiers, traders and residents to cross the river.
The unifying force of the River Waal still lives on today. During the 4Days Marches, thousands of walkers cross the river on Blue Tuesday.
