Day 20 – Poggio Bustone Rest day

Villa Tizzi is great and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to stay in the area.

View of Villa Tizzi from Poggio Bustone

I am the only one here, but still had a great dinner put on in a big restaurant full of tradition ( A Cardinal wrote his book here, whilst there is a huge history of celebrities and football teams). The food was good as was breakfast.  The Italians know how to look after people.

The bruschetta wasl great. Can’t have too much truffle.

 

This local specialty – ravioli but like Lasagna was delicious – really delicious.

Today was a rest day and I had only one concern – I needed new shoes.

Soles fully worn down on one side and starting to tear …. I don’t walk with flat feet.

The challenge in Italy of course is shopping; Rieti is my next stop and is a good sized town with hiking stores , I get there Sunday when nearly everything will be closed and will not reopen until 1630 Monday. Getting a taxi is challenging, so my fabulous host from Villa Tizzi has her  parents drove me down and brought me back; Gracie Mille.

I loved my Salomon Speed Cross 4’s, as Barbara in the hiking store said today, they are made for performance athletes who might use them for 2 or 3 trail races. They were light, grippy but they will not make Rome.

I now have new suitable shoes; thanks Barbara at Montagna Dimensione Verticale.

I walked up to Poggio Bustone and have a wonder around. The town is small, 2000 people but so steep, it is a real challenge to walk around. The only bar is being renovated. I grab some pane, prosciutto, aged pecorino and pomegranates. All set.

The walk up to Poggio Bustone is pretty but super steep

 

View of the town.

 

Poggio Bustine was a centre of resistance in WW2

 

Morning over San Giovanni Battista – it 1130 and fog still covers the valley

The balcony outlook at Villa Tizzi is perfect. After lunch, I lay down on one of the long swing chairs and snooze for a few hours.

It was a great spot.

I wake and watch hang gliders float in, landing near the lake for the next couple of hours. Ahh now that is a rest day.

They came in continuously for several hours

 

 

And to cap off the day, who doesn’t love a puppy, or 3 – 21 days old and so cute. They were born here.

 

3 puppies – all different

 

And tomorrows Walk

I walk through forests, fields and farms to the charming village of Candalice and then onto La Foresta  where St Francis spent the last days of his life before Rietti. 

And Don’t Forget the Good Cause

Thanks for the new donation today – there is some prospect of $5,000. If you have been reading this and have not contributed then you only have a few days left.

In honour of the great work Black Dog institute are doing in helping many families, corporate organisations and communities create awareness and support to deal with the pressures of life, I am raising money for this important cause.

No amount is too small. Donate here.

https://teamblackdog.everydayhero.com/au/walking-the-st-francis-way

If interested, you can read a daily debrief of my walk and see some pics on my blog: www.youcanlive2.com 

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Ciao till tomorrow.