Excitement in the camp this morning with the impending completion of our 24 day and over 600 km journey. Very scenic walk with intermittent view of the port of Trieste leading us in. Hot today, over 30, so the sea and sky were sparkling. No problems with directions and a very smooth entry into the city and suddenly it was all over!
Early morning sunrise as vivid as the sunset last night.
Jana prepared a wonderful breakfast early this morning as we wanted to leave as early as possible.
Useful Slovenian words that Jana had listed on her door. Bit late for us but it would have been so helpful in all the hostels.
Leaving Ocizia on a country road.
Oak forests provide shade.
Sheep posing for passers-by.
Checking for red arrows.
Some steep and stony descents until we came to the Italian border.
Crossing into Italy.
Attractive stone farmhouses.
Immediately the path led us up a steep road.
Views of the limestone gorges and mountains, including this carefully placed church halfway up the mountainside.
Our first view of Trieste on the coast of the Adriatic Sea.
Tunnels burrowed into the rocky mountainside.
9 kms of bike path.
Fresh figs at last.
Short break although we were unanimous in our decision to move towards Trieste without stopping.
Floodlit tunnel.
Civilisation at last.
Still moving high above the city on bridges and bike paths.
Finally we descended from the outskirts of the city.
Buildings and courtyard cafes catching our eye.
The main square of Trieste and the fountain in Piazza l'Unita d'Italia,which was our destination.
Our moment of glory. 14th group to arrive.
Prosecco to celebrate.
Backpacks dispensed with.
Our excellent accommodation (yes, yet again) - a central hostel, Opera Figli Del Popolo.
Our ensuite room for four.
Trieste harbour.
Trieste at night.
Drinks and gelato on the pier after a happy meal at a traditional restaurant with the most amazing fried sardines with preserved onion and juniper berries.
So the journey ends. Not everyone's preferred holiday but it certainly has been for us.
Challenging and hot but so rewarding. We have memories of 3 distinct countries, proud hosts and the fun of sharing it all with such a friendly bunch of people in our group.
But that's not all, On the 12th September Mark and I are walking in the Alps Maritimes for a week, starting in La Brique, which is north of Nice and finishing in Menton.
Meanwhile we are off to the Amalfi Coast ...
M&M
Please excuse blue font and underlining, some inexplicable gremlin has taken over and I'm yet to find the settings to change it.
Here is an excellent article by Gerard Windsor about the EPW.
5 comments:
We have read with interest and greatly enjoyed your commentary and pictures of the EPW and before that in Spain.
We did the La Brigue to Menton walk in September 2012. We're sure you'll enjoy it and we will look forward to reading what you'll have to say. Best wishes and thank you! R and M
Congratulations I am sitting on tram to work with grin on ny face, feeling happy for you
WALKMAG
Super walking Meg & Mark! Celebrate with plenty of vino and seafood. N&W
Fantastic. Another milestone and by your accounts enjoyable experience. You continue to amaze.......JulieJ
Hi. Enjoyed reading of your adventures on the walk. Great inspiration, as I'm hoping to do the Peace Walk next summer (2017) - and then go do the Camino Portugues.
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