St Francis Way
Via Francigena di San Francesco or Cammino di Francesco
Last year I lost my best mate, he was a master cramming as much into life as possible. He was fit, healthy and as a CFO of a top 100 company he was a successful career man, yet he was also a true family man. Unfortunately, he was taken from us too soon. This walk is inspired somewhat by his adventurous nature.
Competitive as we were – St Henri 1995 and 1996 – makes a perfect antipasta compliment for New Years Eve
I was looking for something not well trodden, a physical challenge, somewhere where I was unlikely to have my walk impacted by other travellers with the ever present threat of people on mobile phones.
I came across the St Francis Way on https://caminoways.com/ways/st-francis-way-cammino-di-francesco
Crossing natural parks, mountain passes and valleys on the Apennine Mountains and stunning medieval hill-top towns and villages, The St Francis Way takes an ancient Roman road between Florence and Rome following in the footsteps of Saint Francis across stunning and peaceful countryside, passing important Franciscan sites such as Assisi and Rieti.
The combination of challenge, ruggedness, natural beauty and a sense of alignment between the meditative and spiritual life of St Francis and his order felt just right for my spiritual reset before I return to work in Australia.