Hiltrup to Dulmen – 32km
24C
Terrain: canal paths, cycle paths and country roads

Wow, what a day! So amazing and unexpected, one act of generosity after another. I just can’t stop smiling.

First, my rest day yesterday was lovely. I didn’t do much at all, read quite a bit and genuinely rested. Almut, Guido and Guido were just so incredibly welcoming, inviting me to have a wonderful feast of a breakfast with them both yesterday and today including some of the best scrambled eggs ever, yum.

Thought I’d share this. One of the Guidos is quite an entertainer. He’s in a group called Die Blosewinds and they do some pretty funny interpretations of pop songs (Guido is the tall, bearded one).

Such lovely and interesting people, they even contacted the local paper and have written an article for it complete with photo shoot from this morning. I have to say, this kindness provides the most amazing energy and good vibes and while a little sad to say bye this morning, I couldn’t stop smiling at how lucky I felt (anyone visiting Munster should definitely check out http://gagsbedandbreakfast.com).

Almut, Guido and Guido with Bob

 

 

 

 

 

 

And this is essentially how the day continued. Soon after, I was running along the canal when another runner called Albert struck up conversation at first referring to my ‘baby’ and soon realising there was a slightly different story!

 

 

 

 

 

 

After about 5km running together and chatting about everything from his amazing work as an anesthetist at the Munster University hospital to the IS in Iraq and the atrocities there, he even left me his contact details should I have issues as well as offering me a place to stay, wow.

Bob and Albert (Bob feeling quite popular today!)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then…a few kilometers later I was in a small town. Passing a local pub, a chap (who I later discovered was called Ludger) started asking what Bob was for so I stopped for what was supposed to be a ‘short chat’. Soon enough, the whole family turned up including 90 year old Oma who still walks her dog every day, amazing. The next thing I know, they’ve invited me to have lunch with them and wouldn’t let me pay even after trying to insist. I felt so incredibly touched.

Me with the lovely Ross family

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ludger then joined me for a few kilometers and when we parted ways left me with his lucky stone which has now joined my guardian angel from my Aunt Regina.

 

 

 

 

 

 

One act of generosity after another today and I can’t even express how grateful I feel. Lots and lots of love and good vibes.

I’ve now set up camp for the night in a campsite and am watching the sun go down with a smile.