Decisions, decisions

Day 13 on the Via di Francesco

I started.today feeling much more positive. I had packed the night before and after a quick breakfast I was off. I walked down into town and it started raining. So I stopped put my wet weather gear on and after a while the rain stopped.

My first decision of the day was to visit the Hermitage of Cerebaiolo but taking the road option rather than a mountain trail I had originally thought of. It was still the normal uphill walk though with occasional views.

When I got to the hermitage it was shut but what I loved were the boards with quotations from the Canticle of the Creatures by Saint Francis.

Be praised, my Lord, for brother wind and by air and clouds, clear skies and all weathers, by which you give sustenance to your creatures.

The next decision was to take a waymarked trail which wasn’t on my phone app direct from the hermitage rather than backtracking to the official trail. This was a good decision even though I was going into the clouds and the rain was getting heavier.

I stopped at a very nice bar/cafe at the pass and had a coffee and croissant as a reward for my climb. I checked my guidebook and there was an option for a detour when the weather was wet. That seemed a sensible thing.

So when I set off what did I do? I saw a sign for the official route, changed my mind and chose that one. It proved to be fateful. It was very muddy, very, very muddy and slippery. There were occasional views among the rain showers and mist.

I reached the highest point and then began my descent. Then it happened, despite my wonderful grippy boots and my poles. I slipped and I like to think gracefully went over on my back. I ended up covered in mud with a broken pole which I must have landed on.

The rest of the descent was a bit miserable and once I was on a easier trail to my destination the rain became much heavier. On the plus side the rain began to was some of the mud off.

My destination at Refugio Pian della Capanna was a welcome sight. I was able to shower, change and start getting warmed. They lit a lovely log fire which always gladdens my heart and made a cup of tea. I regretted my decision to take the wrong option but I was warm and the host even temporarily fixed my broken pole.

I had a lovely dinner with the host and two hikers who were staying that night. Highlight was the Cantucci , biscuits dipped in sweet wine. Life is good even if it was still raining.