Different Journeys

Day 9 on the Via di Francesco

I woke up and looked out of the window. It looked about the same as when I had arrived the day before, misty and raining.

To compound it I read in one of the Psalms in Morning Prayer

You visit the earth and water it,
you make it very plenteous
The river of God is full of
water;

May the pastures of the wilderness flow with goodness 
and the hills be girded with joy.

I was expecting another wet day. But as it happened by the time I had a great breakfast the sun came out! God’s timing and I wasn’t complaining.

It was an emotional parting and I had a spring in my step as the trail was good and the sun was shining.

I walked on admiring the inevitable views and came to these trees with golden blossom. This is the real golden arches.

I love the idea of me walking this golden pilgrimage. I was overflowing with joy.

The path took me down to Camaldoli where there is a Benedictine Monstery despite them taking guests I was glad I had made the accomodation choice I did.

I was in the zone just walking happily and realised I was going the wrong way! Thankfully I didn’t have to backtrack too far but then was faced with a near verticle section of forest path. I am sure the photo doesn’t do it justice. I don’t think I have ever tackled anything like that before.

Then followed a painfully long and slow climb up the mountain. In these sections I am typically stopping every few steps to catch my breath. There were things to appreciate on the way up so it wasn’t ‘suffering’ all the way. I reckon this tree root looks like a wolf – it’s a Franciscan pilgrimage after all.

Every stop for breath gives an opportunity to look, listen, smell and appreciate the beauty of the forest.

The climb was about an hour and a half of steep climbing. Just before the top there was a handy refuge hut which was a natural resting place.

I began to muse as I do about how I normally walk on my own and how such a stop start climb would annoy a lot of people. I had met several pilgrims by now and we were all walking to the same destinations but at different speeds. Some had their luggage transfered between stops, some were taking taxis and buses. I thought too of Tony and Hannah God willing finally finishing the Camino Frances after I first met them whn I walked that Pilgrimage. I believe we do need to allow people to walk their own path and not expect everyone to be the same.

Today”s uphill was followed by if anything a longer downhill. After yesterdays’s rain the paths were very slippery and it was slow going watching every step on the loose rocks, tree roots, and mud, lots of mud!

Eventually I did arrive at my hotel in Badia Prataglia. I was welcomed, shown my room and then pretty much ignored. The host was friendly and helpful but the contrast with last night was very clear. Not that one is better than the other they are just different. I had a restaurant meal in the hotel which was really nice and a good breakfast the next morning. I am living the dream