Not our favourite day’s walking today. On the face of it, it was a 16.5kms walk, usually it would take at the most 5 hours. It took us 7+ hours up stony, endless, unshaded, paths.
Breakfast was left for us in our little dining area.
We left the historic square about 8am.
Coffee at a little cafe as we left town
1952 our birth year - nearly 66 - and not out.
Views of Stia as we left town
5 hours expected time to destination!
Views towards this amazing site as we climbed
We had a few false starts but found all the hidden walkways eventually
We had to follow this cow for a section
Then,unexpectedly, a 4th - 2nd century BC Etruscan site
The only town today was Lonnano - shop or cafes closed, being Sunday
Looking back to Lonnano
Then we began climbing a narrow, rocky, unshaded track for several kilometres
Mark was affected by the heat
We rested along the way
Pizza and juice for lunch, purchased as the cafe in Stia
It was hot and dry and so unlike any of the terrain we’ve experienced in the last few days
Halfway up the track we encountered a Danish walking group.
We continued up until a main road
We walked for several kilometres on the main road..fortunately it was shaded
We knew we were on the right track when we arrived at the Eremo Hermitage, a Benedictine centre
Then we began our descent to the Monasterio - again several kilometres
At last our destination. A very popular tourist and pilgrim centre.
The eleventh century monastery has been fully renovated. It is the home of the Camaldoli order of monks, who are a hermit order with rudimentary huts in the mountains above here..as well as rooms at the monastery.
Excellent rooms - we have our own room and ensuite. We will have an evening meal and breakfast here as well. €50 pp for dinner, bed and breakfast.
The main courtyard.
A welcome drink at a bar in the monastery precinct
A very generous communal meal.
We are very tired tonight...Mark has recovered from the heat stress and coped well with a long day’s plod. I am footsore but refuse to contemplate the possibility of blisters - plying my feet with pawpaw cream. Despite all this we are feeling quite buoyant arriving at such an interesting place, set in a lush forest.
Tomorrow is a shorter day.
M&M
