Just In Time!
The walk yesterday was decent, but we really enjoyed our time in Montefiascone! Lots to see as it’s been a mainstay on the VF for hundreds of years.
The cathedral with the huge dome was amazing!
Wonderful views back to the lake and beyond.
Look what we found! Haven’t eaten one yet, but before I depart Italy I’ll be having at least one! 😋
This is Ole from Iceland. He also started in England and we have just connected over the last three days. He and I both attended the University of Alberta at the same time as graduate students and he has just retired from the faculty of Geology in Iceland. We both know several people in common at the university and enjoyed discussing global warming and its specific impact on the glaciers. We both not the excessive melting in the Swiss and Italian Alps. This is the second time we have gotten into a deep discussion and we’ve agreed to stay in touch. Poor Rob! 😂
Out for pizza tonight and they thanked us for coming with a little something to close out the evening. The bottle on the right, very good, very potent!
Day 6; Rob - Coffee. Enough said.
Another fairly short stage, but we dutifully set off at around 8:00 with a plan to arrive around noon, which we did. A large lightning and thunder storm was forecast for the early afternoon.
Things looked pretty nice first thing.
We dropped steeply away from the city.
I thought these were vineyards when I took the picture through the supports. What really caught my eye was the tunnel like effect. However, on closer inspection I think these are kiwi plants!
We walked some fairly long stretches of Roman roads.
The trails today were made up of all sorts of things, from Roman roads, to foot paths and of course gravel and paved roads.
At times the light in the sky was quite lovely as it has been for the past many weeks. The sun is always to the south of us as we walk.
This Roman built road to Florence is almost 2000 years old! There are plenty of marks on them from wagon wheel indentations to rubber tire skid marks created by today’s vehicles. Amazing construction and not too bad for walking either.
Volcanoes everywhere.
Looking back to Montefaiscone.
Today’s climb. Nothing to really write home about.
We aren’t seeing too many pilgrims just a few days out from Rome. We seem to be in a bit of a bubble likely because we departed Siena on a Tuesday and not a weekend.
It was a real slog into the city today once we hit the highway.
Once we hit the main gate to this large walled city things quieted down considerably. The city has been here from Etruscan times long before the Romans showed up. It traded hands a number of times, but was never beaten or captured. I’ve read that it came to prominence when pilgrims began walking along the VF over a 1000 years ago. Of course the Popes also made this one of their central places as well.
We dropped steeply away from the city.
I thought these were vineyards when I took the picture through the supports. What really caught my eye was the tunnel like effect. However, on closer inspection I think these are kiwi plants!
We walked some fairly long stretches of Roman roads.
The trails today were made up of all sorts of things, from Roman roads, to foot paths and of course gravel and paved roads.
At times the light in the sky was quite lovely as it has been for the past many weeks. The sun is always to the south of us as we walk.
This Roman built road to Florence is almost 2000 years old! There are plenty of marks on them from wagon wheel indentations to rubber tire skid marks created by today’s vehicles. Amazing construction and not too bad for walking either.
Volcanoes everywhere.
Looking back to Montefaiscone.
Today’s climb. Nothing to really write home about.
We aren’t seeing too many pilgrims just a few days out from Rome. We seem to be in a bit of a bubble likely because we departed Siena on a Tuesday and not a weekend.
It was a real slog into the city today once we hit the highway.
Once we hit the main gate to this large walled city things quieted down considerably. The city has been here from Etruscan times long before the Romans showed up. It traded hands a number of times, but was never beaten or captured. I’ve read that it came to prominence when pilgrims began walking along the VF over a 1000 years ago. Of course the Popes also made this one of their central places as well.
We arrived into town to find lots of screaming and shouting ahead of us!
Turned out they were filming a movie, crisis averted!
We found a great little place for lunch and then found our little room after playing 20 questions with the owner over the phone. She would give me directions, I would try to follow them, she would give me more directions, I would try to follow them, and eventually we found the
The parchment of the first conclave.
Lots of great little stores around. The type you’d want just down the street.
This was the highlight of the day. The church of Gonfalone. Really special.
Lunch!
I’ve had a few technical issues with the blog today. I think I’m gonna give up at this point and just post the darn thing. Rob is looking for company.😂
Happy Thanksgiving everybody!
🦃🍷
ReplyDeleteI am always amazed at the beautiful old churches you continue to see in the many places you have passed through. The Church of Gonfalone in Viterbo is marvelous. . Continued "down hill" as you get closer to Rome ................ Enjoy
ReplyDeleteDad
Indeed that is the most amazing church. What a blessing that you were actually there. And then there’s Rome so we shall see.M.
ReplyDeleteThis is the walk of a lifetime!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I forgot to mention that I’m surprised you carry an extra hat.
Ken
I’ve carried 2 hats for several distance walks. One for the hot sunny days and the other for after walking, with wet gear and cooler days. And yes, this has been an amazing adventure as I have looked for these past 3 years. Not a particularly spiritual walk this time, but I’ve enjoyed many of those. Just a good old fashion gut it out adventure!
Delete