There are only 3 more day to walk ….. with about 80km’s left to Rome. And I am just getting in the groove. Seriously, there is an art to this. My day pack is must lighter than it was when I started, you will note I have not complained about my feet for maybe a week now.
Today is one of the big ones; about 900m climb and 1000m decline, in fact, I think it is the biggest single day on the walk.
I woke very early this morning with a bad dream, was it the mushrooms last night stimulating my sleep into places it should not go? Getting a good night sleep is fundamental to performance. People are asking me what I do at night; well after I write the blog. Last night I watched an episode of survivor but the night before a short facebook video on sleep. Blue light (computers, ipads, iphones etc) and bad and raspberries and structure are good. Where was I going with this; well I was a bit cranky around lunch today.
I love Italian’s, but I just don’t get their breakfast. This morning it was a selection of high sugar cakes, coffee and sweetened juice. This is being fed to people who are walking and need slow release energy. Amanda I have been listening.
On the positive side, I got a much more detailed response from Jack today following the video I try to send him each day (Jack is six and likes fighting, ninja’s etc but not writing). I was pleased but then Amanda tells me Jack found predictive text on his ipad….
The Walk to Ponticelli
First stop is revisiting the quaint little hilltop hamlet of Poggio San Lorenzo. I find a delicatessen (tick – Prosciutto, Pecorino and Pomodoro bagel for lunch), stop at a Bar for a Cappuccino (tick – 1 Euro, it was great) and head off looking for the remains of the Roman fortified walls.
The Roman details masonry has survived 200 years
Quite impresive feat really
The day looks great, no threat of rain, going to be windy but OK.
A little windy but what a day – I decide that valley and re-climb the other side
Then the day begins in earnest; a steep descent followed by a steep climb. My data roaming must have hit the cap, so no being connected as I walk today. But the walk is through beautiful countryside with constant vistas of medieval hilltop villages, important Christian sites, forests and ruins.
Just after a creek crossing at the at of the ravine.
I used to think as Italy being felt and the hills of Tuscany the mountainous bit – it iOS the opposite
After a hard climb, I arrive at Trebula Mutusca, an ancient city of the Sabines who were doing well until Hannibal arrived and pillaged everything. The 9th century ruins include a theatre, baths, walls and ancient pavements. Closed at the moment though.
The Sabines were sacked, looted and raped by Hannibal
Not much left above ground of the 9th century settlement
Translations please
The walk from there to the church of San Vittore, a fourth century martyr, took me through autumn fields. The church was small and intimate, inside there is a natural spring whose waters are reputed to have healing properties.
Beautiful autumn trees
The church of San Vittore
My cheeky short though a peephole into the old church – manually focussed
There is some great countryside I traverse through; birch forests, olive groves, wine groves, rural pastures with sheep, goats of horses protected as always by big dogs.
I think its white wine
One of many old bridges still dong their job
Quick rebuild – the block comes to Italy
These dogs are large and are sued t protected the herds – the one on the left is a ‘Maremma’ bred to defend sheep from wolves over thousands of years,
It was very windy, my feet were sore from walking steely up and down on these loose unstable surfaces – I went on for a few kilometres to find a great place for lunch in the sun, to rest my feet and devour another Prosciutto, Pecorino and Pomodoro crusty roll.
The climb out of Poggio Moiano was brutal – shame 3D does not convert
Take the weight off this feet – it was great
Afterwards the walk to Ponticelli was hard work, another 8km up and down steep climbs on rocky paths. The country begins to dry out and olive groves become the norm.
I have been a little intrigued by the olive trees. We don’t realize how much effort goes into maintaining a productive high quality product. Almost side by side in this one grove I saw these three trees; one that has never been cropped and one green and one black olive tree. I was amazed at the see of the uncropped one and am bazzled how 2 trees 5 metres apart can produce so differently.
Big unpruned fella – look at the relative size
Green olives
Black olives
After 20 km, the end was in site, I am not sure which one but one of these villages must be my destination.
My destination??
After a hard last hours walk I arrive at Ponticelli, there is not much here! I ring my accommodation who pick me up and take me to their Agriturismo – its good, but probably accommodates 30 plus and I am the only person here (Great I can wear my Mountain Design slippers to dinner).
The Agriturismo is good – La Ripa – it’s 8km outside Ponticelli and is situated on a significant hill in valley with views over the surrounding hamlets and castles.
Scangrilia
View over Monteflavio
Nerola and Orsini Castle before dusk
Beautiful Orsini Castle at Sunset
And tomorrows Walk
60km’s to Rome and tomorrow I walk 30km to Monterodondo passing through orchards, farmland and nature reserves. Only 2 days to go.
And Don’t Forget the Good Cause – almost $5,000.
And thanks for the great support today for Black Dog institute who are 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