Diary of the GR5 Walk in 1999

Breakfast is rather small. There are seven of us. The others are all cyclists and chat amongst themselves. I am on the road by 9:30 am. Today, I intend to walk only 16 km. That will get me to Lummen. The total I will have walked by the end of the day is 286 km.

The way out of Diest is along the ramparts that once protected the city. Then the path goes past Schaffense Poort that was and still is one of the entrances to the city. To enter Diest, via this way, one must go through two bridges over two moats, two tunnels, and three sets of gates. Then the path goes along railway tracks and through the suburban streets of Schoonaarde before heading through forests. Then up over and down a small hill to eventually reach and continue along the A2 for a kilometre. Here I meet a couple who are walking the GR5 as a series of day walks.

I reach Lummen at 3:30 pm and find the hotel exactly where it is described in the guidebook. A large group of cyclists, all dressed up in the same bright yellow cycling gear, are drinking on the terrace and eye me curiously as I walk into the hotel. 1450 BEF later and I am in a room on the second floor complete with TV, shower, and breakfast.

My feet feel quite good. Anyway, good enough to get changed and try to find a supermarket to buy something for dinner and look around the town. This is a new city and I see very little of interest. Dinner consists of meatballs, chicken curry with salad, tomatoes, a large jar of peas and carrots, and some chocolate milk. Enough, as it turns out, for two meals.

By 9:00 pm I am in bed. Tomorrow is to be a long day, 33 km. I have rested over the last three days so tomorrow I will see if I have recovered.