Page 34 - Qaranc Spring 2014

32 QARANC THE GAZETTE
Heineken boat to take us down the river to another Merchandise shop we went for pancakes in the cafe across from the brewery. These were great. On the Heineken boat we pootled up the river taking in some of the sights of the Nederlandse Bank, Amstel Hotel and the Magere Brug to name but a few. A word of warning while walking around Amsterdam is to watch out for the bikes as pedestrians share the cycle lanes at times.
Monday 15th July
Apart from breakfast our first timing was for the briefing by Brig Richardson Deputy Commander British Forces Germany at 1020. CDT team also made an appearance and testing began for that.
After lunch and a brief from our team leader we went into town for last minute items. Had dinner in the cookhouse and went to the Brit bar on camp to meet with a fellow Waendel walker qualifier (this is another way to qualify for Nijmegen). We all went to bed early, as we would be doing our first days walking tomorrow
Tuesday 16th July
We were in British Contingent 3 today so we had a late start. Form up time was 0500 to then walk around to the other form up point to then do the march past the saluting Dias under the boots and helmet monument, a further
salute & eyes right to the Dutch guards and then the long walk down the tree lined avenue to the entrance of Camp Humonsord was the start and finish for the first three days. It was also the start of the fourth day but the finish was in Nijmegen city centre.
As we emerged from the camp and then into a residential area I was surprised to see people out on the street offering encouragement at this early hour. This was typical of all four days. We had a period of time when it was just military teams marching along until we joined up with the civilians and then I was amazed at the sheer amount of people from all over the world. The atmosphere was such a friendly one with mutual encouragement coming from all participants of the 97th Nijmegen Marchers and the public. There were children out looking for souvenirs and others out looking for high fives. This is also photograph day and as you are marching along there will be a photograph taken of the team, which you can purchase back in camp. I was all for buying this photo until I saw it. Out of the 13-team members of 256 Field Hospital I am the only person that cannot be seen as our team captain is beside me. Oh well you do see a bit of my grey beret.
Wednesday 17th July
Form up time today was 0430 & then wait for a bit to be called forward for
the march past going out of camp. Again there were people out lining the street. My black grip bag was under the end of the mattress to elevate my feet as they were a bit swollen.
Thursday 18th July
Form up time was 0400 this morning. This is known as the day of the hills. There is a lot of hype over this day and to be honest the hills are not too bad. We had a Canadian Cpl attached to our unit for a year while she was studying in London. There is a Canadian Cemetery and War Memorial about 3km north of Groesbeek, Holland. The cemetery is unique in that many of the dead were brought here from nearby Germany. It is one of the few cases where bodies were moved across international frontiers. It is believed that all fallen Canadian soldiers of the Rhineland battles, who were buried in German battlefields, were reinterred here (except for one who is buried in Reichswald Forest War Cemetery). General H.D.G. Crerar, who commanded Canadian land forces in Europe, ordered that Canadian dead were not to be buried in German soil.
On Day 3 of the Nijmegen marches you march right past this cemetery so we decided to go in and pay our respects as there was a remembrance service for which we were in time for and it also enabled Virginia to pay her respects along with the Canadian Contingent who were present for the