English report of the journey to Rome until Thursday, 8 May 2008

Thursday, 8 May 2008
The first triumph !!!
Yesterday afternoon Nanning and Henry reached their first landmark: Chateau de Chigy camping site, near the towns of Tazilly and Luzy, where Nanning has spent his summer holidays for the past twenty years. They received a warm welcome not only from family and friends but also from the mayors of both towns. The photos will appear on the website as soon as possible.The press had also turned out in force and tomorrow’s local paper will feature a long article about the challenge that these two men have taken on for CLN. The fact that the mayors of Tazilly and Luzy made a donation to this good cause shows how much the initiative is appreciated.For Nanning the journey is over. It was heavy going for him, especially in the first few weeks, when the wet weather took its toll. Under these circumstances, minor accidents with the equipment, such as a snapped tent pole and the loss of a spectacle lens, became particularly irksome, especially when the temperature dropped to below zero at nights. But Nanning kept going, supported by his mate Henry and is now an experience richer – an experience that he wouldn’t have missed for the world.Today, Henry set off for Rome. Watch this space for info on the second part of this sponsored walk. Meantime, both men can bask in the glory of their first triumph !!!!
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Sunday, 4 May 2008
Chateau de Chigy in sight
On Saturday, 26 April the weather was so good that Nanning and Henry could walk in T-shirts and shorts. The mayor of the little town of Sonnepy-Tahune allowed them to set up their tents next to the local football pitch.Sunday was another warm day and, with 41 kilometres under their belt, both men were gasping for a glass of cool and refreshing beer, but there was none to be had at the camping site in Chalons-en-Champagne.In Sommesons, Nanning and Henry got a taste of French hospitality on Monday at the end of a dull and rainy day. There was no camping site near the town, but the mayor offered them shelter in the caves (cellars) of the town hall. They had everything they needed: a toilet, washing facilities, mattresses and a heater. So, they could freshen up and dry their clothes.The day before Queensday (30 April) they arrived in Areis-sur-Aube, where they met – you’ve guessed it – fellow countrymen. The managers of the camping site on the River Aube are Dutch. Nanning and Henry had to skip the Queensday celebrations this year. They took to the road again and reached Troyes. They had clocked up a total 500 kilometres so far and were still on schedule.Every pilgrim that arrives in the village of Chaouree is offered shelter in a special sanctuary. Chaouree is an English religious community. The gentlemen were not only allocated a bedroom each but a sitting room as well. Sheer luxury. Even pilgrims need to chill out sometimes and these two had certainly earned it.In fact, Nanning and Henry were ready for some extra rest and relaxation. The weather had improved, but the heat had also had an effect on their performance.On Sunday, 3 May the walkers arrived in Avallon after covering 50 kilometres. Another 104 kilometres to Chateau de Chigy, the last stop for Nanning. Christine, Henry’s wife, walked the last 20 kilometres to the camping site, where Nanning’s wife, Klazien, had organised the reception committee. This time, that glass of cold beer was ready and waiting.
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Monday, 21 April 2008
La France!
Bad weather in the first week turned the sponsored walk into a tough challenge. Nanning, in particular, found it heavy going. He hates rain. Henry spurred him on with a pep talk. The adventures along the way and the breathtaking scenery made for an unforgettable experience and also inspired them to continue.Saturday was certainly a day to remember. There was no camping site or bed and breakfast in the Belgian village of Rosée, so Henry and Nanning headed for the police station to get some information on the surroundings. But it was closed! Henry, always a quick thinker, suggested the church. When they got there, they met two ladies who, after about ten minutes, offered to escort them to a local chateau. And not just any chateau! This one dated from the seventeenth century and had been occupied by German troops in World War II. Luckily, it was still standing and in use.The chatelain gave them a warm welcome and they shared a few glasses of wine together. No pup tent tonight for Nanning and Henry. Sleepy from the wine, the weather and a hard day’s walking, they curled up in a warm bed and fell fast asleep. You can find out more about this castle at http://www.leverderosee.beToday, the gentlemen crossed the French border and arrived in the small town of Fumay, having walked a total of 22 kilometres, much of it uphill. Fortunately, the weather was dry. Tired and happy, they settled down to their evening meal.
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Friday, 18 April 2008
Sunshine after the rain

Nanning and Henry have now been on the road for five days. After two days of constant rain, the sun has come out. However the temperature at night is 4 degrees below zero. So far, they have walked 160 kilometres.

The tents where Henry and Nanning sleep.


It is getting more difficult to cover the mountainous terrain, which is becoming ever steeper and stretching farther. Yesterday (Thursday) was a long day in which they walked 33 kilometres. To their consternation, they found that the camping site where they had planned to spend the night had closed three years ago. Nanning and Henry usually turn in at 8 p.m. so that they can start bright and early at 6 a.m. the next morning. They were looking forward to a hot meal at a good restaurant, but had to make do with the bread and cold meats that they managed to buy at a local shop. But they are still in good spirits and soaking up the breathtaking landscape.
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Wednesday, 16 April 2008
The first day
Nanning and Henry left from the FNV building, well-equipped for their adventure. It was the first day. And guess what? It was raining! Until half an hour before their first stop for the night, they certainly were not at risk of dehydration. This was their first challenge on the road to fulfilling a boyhood dream. Luckily, the camping site in Houthalen (Belgium) is open all year round. Nanning and Henry were really looking forward to a hot meal. But the camping site was open only for tents. No hope of even a cup of coffee. They could, however, rent a couple of bikes. Exhausted after their long walk in the rain, there was nothing else for it but to pedal to the village.To be continued.
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Monday, 14 April 2008
Donations to Child Learn
The sponsored walk has only just begun and the first donations are in!The CLN Foundation wishes to thank:
FNV Bouw, Groot Nuth department
Han Frenken Taxi Service from Stein http://www.taxifrenken.nl
Groot Haasdal Neighbourhood Association (proceeds from a privately organised Easter brunch)
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The sponsored walk gets off to a start

Today, at 8.15 a.m, Henry Okkersen and Nanning Schotanus left the office of FNV Bouw in Weert (Netherlands) on the first stage of their sponsored walk. There was definitely no lack of interest in this wacky scheme, largely because it was in aid of Child Learn Nederland (CLN). Roel de Vries , Chairman of CLN, spoke some words of encouragement to the two men: "It is my privilege to be Chairperson of Child Learn. Nanning is treasurer and Henry is an ambassador. This walk is an ideal way to draw attention to our school projects in India."


Then it was the turn of regional manager, Theo van der Werff, to wish them luck on behalf of FNV Bouw. "Everybody knows that Henry loves sport, but I was a bit surprised about Nanning" he said, with a laugh. “But they will certainly be happy, knowing that they can support and encourage each other".


Finally, the men were addressed by Alderman Pierre Sijben from the Municipality of Weert: "This might seem like a crazy idea, especially with today’s weather, but often it is the crazy ideas that help us to make improvements not just locally, but worldwide as well. What could be more important than the elimination of inhuman practices like child labour? I also hope that these two men see, learn and discover a lot on this journey. Personal growth is important in our own lives. This is an excellent initiative that merits lots of publicity and attention."


The time had come. The walkers and well-wishers had listened to the speeches while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea. Now it was time to get the show on the road. Carrying a full rucksack weighing some 14 kilos and wearing rain capes, Henry and Nanning were optimally equipped for the journey. They said good-bye to their families and the walk began in earnest. Every day they will walk between 40 and 50 kilometres. So their first stop will be in the neighbourhood of Houthalen in Belgium. You can follow their progress every week on the website http://www.childlearn.nl. Photos of the start will be posted soon.
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Sunday, 6 April 2008
More than a boyhood dream

The walk begins in earnest at 8 a.m. on Monday 14 April at FNV Bouw, Noordkade 2. Walking companions Henry Okkersen (from Schimmert) and Nanning Schotanus (from Weert) are getting ready to realise their boyhood dream: they will walk from the Netherlands, via Belgium, to France, where a warm welcome awaits them at Chateau de Chigy camping site. But this project is about more than the fulfilment of a boyhood dream; it will raise money for Child Learn Nederland (CLN), a foundation committed to stamping out child labour. The mayors of Tazilly and Luzy who greet them at the finish will not only congratulate them on their personal achievement but also on their commitment to CLN. Henry will then continue farther to Rome. Everyone united in the battle against child labourThe gentlemen received an enthusiastic send-off. As expected, all the members of the CLN Committee were present, but so was Charles Verhoef, leader of the FNV Bouw union, and countless others. Everyone wanted to speak words of encouragement to Henry and Nanning, but they also wanted to turn the spotlight on the whole purpose of the enterprise: to fulfil the dreams of the children of India by providing robust school buildings and educational materials. All donations are greatly appreciated. Every cent goes to CLN projects. Henry and Nanning are financing this sponsored walk themselves.”Pilgrimage”After being welcomed by the committee in France, Henry continued alone to Rome. He has already collected the first stamp in his book – from Father J. van Oss of the St Remigius Parish in Schimmert. He hopes to collect more along the way – and of course, from Weert.Keep going whatever the weatherThis year the month of March certainly is not going out like a lamb. Henry and Nanning are ready to walk in rain, snow or sunshine. You can read about their adventures every week on www.childlearn.nl. You will also find information there on how to donate to the school projects of Child Learn Nederland.
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Wednesday 2 April 2008
Sponsored walk for Child Learn Nederland
All roads lead to RomeOn a sunny afternoon in Rome two friends are enjoying a drink and snack and talking about the things they dream of doing. Henry Okkersen from Schimmert says he would love to walk all the way to Rome some day. His friend Nanning Schotanus from Weert understands where he’s coming from. He would like to walk to the camping site in France, where he has spent his holidays for twenty years. Nanning says that it is really just a daft idea, but Henry responds with: “Yes, but a huge challenge, especially if we could use it to raise money for Child Learn Nederland”.Hope of a future for children in IndiaChild Learn Nederland is a charitable foundation which is committed to the elimination of child labour in India. It runs various projects to provide Indian children with an education. Nanning: “We hope this walk will encourage people to show more solidarity with the less privileged people in this world.” They want to make the public more aware of the CLN projects and to recruit sponsors. Henry: “You should use an initiative like this to draw attention to the work of Child Learn.””Problems? No way”The walkers will set out on Monday 14 April 2008. Nanning has opted for Route 1, to Tazilly, the village where Chateau de Chigy camping site is situated, a distance of 700 kilometres. Henry will walk a total of 1900 kilometres and is expected in Rome around 1 July. Both men are optimistic and raring to go. Henry: “Problems? Setbacks? No way. The difference between this trip and the other walks we have covered is the weight of the rucksack. Fourteen kilos. And, of course, it is mainly uphill.” Henry, who has been an active member of an association for long-distance veterans for years already trains enough on a daily basis. Nanning: “ I am doing some extra training. I’m curious to explore my limits, discover how far I can walk in one stretch and the point when fatigue sets in.”Daily life in IndiaMost children in the Netherlands walk to school within five minutes. If not, their parents take them by bike or by car. We wouldn’t dream of letting our children walk five or ten kilometres to school – but this is normal in India. What’s more, some women have to walk between 30 and 45 kilometres every day for their work. They go in search of leaves which they use to make wastepaper baskets. After collecting the leaves they walk back to their village and dry them. Eventually, when they have made the baskets they take to the streets to sell them. They do everything on foot. No cars, no public transport, not even a bike. The proceeds from the sale of the baskets are minimal despite the hours spent walking and working. A good education will give children a chance of a better future than this.Sponsoring the walkHenry and Nanning are personally bearing the costs of the entire walk, everything from the survival materials to lodgings. Every cent of every donation goes to the CLN projects. The website, www.childlearn.nl, where – of course – the sponsors are named, features a weekly report on the walk. Henry: “We are happy to have the logos of sponsors printed on our clothing and other equipment. FNV Bouw has already applied. The members of the long-distance running association are also displaying a keen interest and want to read about the progress on their own site, www.ultraned.org.Invest in our world“All roads lead to Rome,” says Nanning with a smile. In this case, literally and metaphorically. This walk is not only the fulfilment of a boyhood dream but an investment in the dreams of children in India. Invest in our world. Rally behind the slogan of Child Learn Nederland: Working towards a child-labour-free world. If you would like to contribute, individually or as a business, please make your donation to giro 46.23.807, where it will be greatly appreciated. You can find more information at www.childlearn.nl.
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