Today it was forecast for rain and it looked pretty serious about it.
I said my goodbyes to Villa Tizzi, and the owner asked me if I wanted to buy it. It’s a good old building which obviously was successful probably 20 to 30 years ago. Her mum is the chef. It’s hard to see a viable business long term unless the Italian Government put’s some money behind promoting the walking trails as a broader form of Tourism.
Before I leave Villa Tizzi, I had a great starter salad last night. Very simple, very tasty. Champignons, Parmiagiana cheese, rocket with olive oil and balsamic. Deliciouso.
The Walk to Rieti
Today’s walk started went over Chantalice to La Foresta and onto Rieti. It was about 18kms and followed a ridgetop walk offering spectacular views and scenery (best when sunny!). I was optimistic, I had the new shoes on, it was not raining. As I had not visited the top part of town including the convent I did so before I started the actual walk.
The view towards Rieti was not promising
I was heading up to the clouds the 12th century convent of San Giacoma which has several small medieval chapels and cells and a Grotto of Revelation where St Francis had 2 in 1208 which gave him the confidence to develop his order.
The weather at the Convent …its above that cloudy bit … lets try our luck
Always good to see the sign when you are climbing uphill
I decided I would try to find the Grotto and headed up the hill on what looked like an important stone pathway ….. it was super steep and I climbed for about 30 minutes and some 250m before I canned this speculative side trip – the trip down if it was raining would have been treacherous.
Climbed up to about 1000m before conceding defeat
But I did find several of the small chapels.
One of the all chapels – I saw three ups this track
The pathways were steep good to walk top by I was concerned tricky when wet going down
Zigzag pathways to the top
I head back down to the Convent and under cover change my clothes again as it was beginning to rain and put camera, phone, ipad in weather proof places and discover in the process the new shape of ipad I have.
Oops – still works – only found it when I took it out of the case to change the4 sim
There were a number of signs highlighting the different religious orientated itineraries possible.
Photo of the camino of St Benedict – only 300kms – let’s go Amanda. But there were others as well.
I head off to Candalice, the photo below shows how steep the terrain is.
The path largely follow a contour line – very steep above and below
It started to rain big time just as I got to Candlice – I posted the video on Facebook. I ran to a bar and had 2 Cappuccino’s. But after a while you just have to get moving. For the next 90 minutes to La Foresta, it rained. The rain was complemented by thunder and some lightning. The paths became rivers, my shoes were drenched and I had 11km’s to go.
Beautiful Candalice and 2 bars open – its stairways were rivers as I climbed to the top
Making progress and 120kms to Rome!
I did meet as little friend along the way why was more suited to the journey today than me.
The walk along the ridgetop after Candalice was beautiful and on a sunny day …. But today if was one foot after another and try to keep everything dry – feet excepted I had given up on those.
La Foresta was the sanctuary where St Francis went late in life. A couple of miracles happened here and a Franciscan Monastery was built. It’s a beautiful place and now used for drug/alcohol abuse treatment.
Celebrating the miracle of the wine.
The beautiful gardens of La Foresta
After this I just powered into Reith, the weather was poor, I was a little cold and a lot wet. The shower was good and my room has become a Chinese laundry as I attempt to dry things for tomorrow.
The view to Rieti – 4km’s to a hot shower
And tomorrows Walk
I walk to Poggio San Lorenzo mainly flat along creeks, fields and forests.
And Don’t Forget the Good Cause
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
More Information
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.