Companions on the Way

Day 6 on the Via di Francesco

This is the day which had loomed large in my thoughts as I planned my journey and it loomed just as large as I woke up that morning, One of the take aways from my Morning Prayer routine was from the Psalm – “I called to you and you put new strength in my soul” It was interesting how that worked out. I reminded myself as I had done yesterday that all I had to do was to walk – the fact that today was nearly a thousand meters of ascent was just the way it was.

As I left the town I realised that I had missed the older more quaint bit but enjoyed it in passing.

As I left the town it was as steep as I had feared. I determined to take it slowly. I found time to take photos, enjoy the views , notice the wild flowers and even enjoy a whole hedge of rosemary. It helps of course that these activities meant I was catching my breath as I stopped.

I saw a couple walking ahead of me – they looked like pilgrims, I had noticed them as I was leaving Pontasieve. THankfully when I caught up one of them could speak English! We had a short conversation and then parted ways. It’s interesting that even a short conversation takes your mind off the steepness of the trail.

Then there was a section of olive groves and vineyards. They were busy spraying the vines which set me thinking about residues in wine, not too seriously I might add. The views kept coming too.

I came to the village of Diacetto and thought a coffee would be good. I had my espresso and was just topping up my water opposite the bar when the couple I had met earlier arrived. They sat at a table outside the bar so I went across and sat down to continue our conversation. It led to me trying to describe what my Franciscan Third Order vocation meant. When I think about it it’s difficult enough in English!

Half an hour later and I was off again and on looking at the road signs deciding I had chosen the right season to walk.

Unexpectedly the trail took me downhill. There were more views too, I am going to have to stop mentioning views, they are too numerous and awesome.

There was a beautiful stretch of woodland which was populated by some lovely wooden sculptures. The figure of Christ I found particularly engaging.

I found a handy bench and decided I would stop for a break and some snacks. Just as I had packed up another pilgrim passed by and we got to talking. He is a veteran of the Camino de Santiago and the Via di Francesco having walked them multiple times. He had a great affection for Saint Francis and we had a great conversation.

He went on ahead as we came to a particularly steep forest path section. I thought I was doing well as I struugled up these tracks which to me were almost vertical.

I decided to check my route only to discover I had wandered onto the wrong path. My phone has good maps so I decided to continue and just join the official trail a bit further up the hill. I stopped as the two trails joined and had some lunch. As I was sitting there I got to thinking about my illustration of repentance. I had worked out it was like when I’m walking , I stop, realize I am on the wrong path and set off back to where I should be. What came to me then how gracious God is to make the path back so beautiful, just as I had experienced on this journey.

I continued onwards and upwards and passed some men sitting around a fire. This set off some more musing about how this whole journey is living Saint Francis’ Canticle of the Creatures.

I am sure it’s my imagination but there always seems to be a particularly steep stretch just before the finish However I finally arrived at my destination of Consuma. I was too early for check-in so I stopped at the church to get my Credeziale stamped. I ended up stopping for quite a while just praying and refecting on my uphill journey.

I walked out the church to discover the hostel I was staying that was just next door. The host was veru hospitable and more and more pilgrims arrived. We ended up sharing a communal meal which was such a joy. The struggle of 1000mtr wa sforgotten amongst the joy of a shared pilgrimage journey.

All in all a day which was billed as difficult and gruelling was not half as bad as it was made out to be because of the wonderful things to see and especially the pilgrims who are comapnions on the way.