Protestants taking part in the Long March yesterday braved wind and rain to complete the fourth stage of their 117-mile walk from Derry to Drumcree.
They set off yesterday morning from Cloughmills Orange Hall, Co Antrim, and walked 14 miles to Ballymena. The walk is in support of Protestant rights and Orangemen in Portadown, Co Armagh.
Many of the marchers admitted to having foot blisters but said that a developing camaraderie kept them going. Former Irish rugby international Mr Davy Tweed said: "The weather might not be the best but that doesn't bother us.
"Our hearts are beating strongly and we have a good cause. There are young and old, healthy and sick here today. If any of us feel a bit tired during the walk, we only have to look at the victims taking part to raise our spirits."
The march was led by Mr Jim Dixon who was seriously injured in the Enniskillen bomb. He travels every morning from Co Fermanagh for the start of the walk and relies on a walking stick.
"He has to get up at 6 a.m. to be with us," said one of the organisers, dissident Ulster Unionist councillor Mr Jonathan Bell. "Jim is like a mascot for us. He is a living embodiment of the spirit of this march.
"At times since the bombing he has been in such pain that he has found it hard to walk even 100 yards yet he makes this tremendous effort. He is our elder statesman."
The day started with a press conference in Cloughmills Orange Hall where personal testimonies were given by UUP councillor Mr Joe Gaston, a former UDR man, who had a leg blown off when his tractor was booby-trapped by republicans, and Mr Norman Drummond.
Mr Drummond, a former cleaner in Carrickmore RUC station, Co Tyrone, was forced at gunpoint to drive a bomb into the base 10 years ago. He was uninjured but was intimidated from his home by republicans and still suffers posttraumatic stress.
Mr Gaston, who has an artificial leg, said: "My pain and suffering continues every day. There are so many people like me with stories to tell, but at times it seems no one wants to hear."
On the first stages of the walk, the marchers faced nationalist protests in Derry and Greysteel. But yesterday they were on home turf in Ballymena. Along the route, car horns tooted and passengers waved in support.
One vehicle stopped and the driver got out with four crates of orange juice for the thirsty walkers. At a local Orange hall there were further refreshments - ham sandwiches, fruit cake, cherry buns and pots of tea.
Many people told the marchers they were glad that at last somebody was "standing up for Protestant rights".
Dissident UUP Assembly member Mr Peter Weir joined the walk.
"Normally, I tend to avoid any form of physical exercise but I'm making an exception today," Mr Weir said.
"I represent North Down where many injured police officers live and it's important for me to add my voice to show who the real victims are in Northern Ireland."
Several Protestant clergymen took part in the walk including the Rev Eric Culbertson, a Church of Ireland minister from Newmills, Co Tyrone.
The marchers prayed for Drumcree rector the Rev John Pickering, who has welcomed Orangemen to his church despite the wishes of the General Synod.
"John Pickering is a friend and a good man and we support his stance. Our thoughts and prayers are with him during this difficult time," Mr Culbertson said.
Today the marchers will begin the fifth stage of their walk from Ballymena to Antrim. They are due to arrive in Portadown on Saturday and want to march down the Garvaghy Road on Sunday morning, just before the annual Orange Order parade from Drumcree.