Duwmee 2024 (part 1)

 

Last weekend was #Duwmee again...the charity fundraising walk that we organize as volunteers from the NGO Mobileschool.org. This was the 10th edition of #duwmee: we organized the first one in 2012 and missed 2020 and 2021.  Since 2022 we organise the walk around the Leuven area and cross our national park with a crossing of the nearby Meerdaalwoud. 

On Friday, I used one of my last vacation days left for this year to help set-up.  Together with another volunteer we drove around Leuven in a truck to pick-up logistic material and the pallets with drinks from the brewer. We set-up the office to be ready as it is the starting place of the walk. 

I always like to get up on Saturday morning in the early dark morning when Leuven is still deserted. Then I walk towards Mobile School and I can bet spotting some fluo jackets that will be on their way to Duwmee.  Much to my surprise this morning I pass a group that goes the opposite way...but as soon as I passed them they yell "Hey, are you going to Duwmee" to me along the empty street.  "Yep I do, and it's in the other direction, follow me".  

The start-up goes well in the office. 

After the security briefing, by our (retired) police volunteers guiding us in crowd & traffic control and the ambulance paramedic volunteers. 

Our faithful team of (retired) police volunteers that guide us along the roads each year

And then the walk started. I find it always a bit emotional to wave them a good start in the morning when the bravest take off for a full day walk of 32 km. 

I quickly drive to the first stop to see the preparations there, to wait for the walkers to arrive, and to listen to the artist with her fine music. In between I gather pictures and post them on our FB and IG pages. 
At the end of the morning, I wave them out. Then it's time to drive home again and get ready myself to head to the next stop with Kabouter where I'll meet friends to walk together.