Hello all! It was a glorious day at 17.2 miles - up and down and down and up. I started with a few hiccups. I woke up at 3:30 and after reading for a while, I realized I was not going back to sleep. At about six-thirty, I decided to Sinc my new Garmin be-all, do-all trail watch with my phone. I ended up crashing both my watch and my phone. At 8:30, I realized I was going to have to deal with this problem at my next hotel.
My Camino de Francisco or walk of Saint Frances started at the Basilica de Santa Croce. It was closed yesterday and I wanted to see it before I left. It did not open until 9:30 but it was worth the wait. I always spend some time praying for my friends at the start of each journey and at every church and religious symbol along the way.
The Basilica is known for its beautiful frescos and stained glass windows.
I loved the story of this nun. Although I am not Catholic I have always been fascinated with nuns. Perhaps if I had been smacked with a ruler I would be less fascinated.
Even the ceiling over the pews was interesting.
This almost glowed with gold.
I loved this painting over the exit door.
The tree of life was in the bookstore.
My first trail marker...so exciting! Unfortunately, I didn't see another one for about four miles. which absolutely fed my trail insecurity. I want a trail marker about every foot. Makes me feel secure.
The walk, beside a river, was beautiful, This little bit of flat lulled me into a false sense of security. Many ups and downs were soon to follow.
The trail markers suddenly ended at this narrow walkway.
I got so lost when I entered the small town of San Jacopo al Girone. I kept wandering back and forth looking for trail markers. I stopped in this lovely restaurant and delicatessen for a diet coke (mostly a potty break. I was desperate), I kept looking at the food and decided to order the Chicken Cacciatore. It was a taste of heaven. The gravy (?) was so rich and flavorful with chunks of chicken and olives. Not your crappy canned black olives but these olives had been slow-cooked in the gravy. YUM! I sopped up every delicious bite with some slices of bread. I didn't care if it was or wasn't mannerly. Luckily, there were only men in there who were not too fussy about proper etiquette.
Fall is approaching!
At about mile 14, I came across this Gelateria. I was in need of some pep in my step. I ordered my favorite Stracciatella. It was worth every calorie.
At loooooong last, my home for the night and it was none too soon. My dogs were barking and I was pooped. A mere 17 plus miles and tomorrow is rated much harder.
I knew this was my kinda place. Cat tiles and cat memorabilia all over the place. Made me miss my babies but particularly that little Winston.
Just before I left, Winston was helping me with the laundry!
I was so tired that I decided to picnic out of my backpack with a couple of things from the supermarket. Not a bad dinner. I still had half of the focaccia sandwich and I added some slices of a really good bosc pear. I had local olives and some greasy pottato chips (the best kind) with a half bottle of Vermentino, a local and very popular wine. I haven't finished the wine yet but I am working on it. I also have a cookie called a black and white Pick-up cookie which sounded like soething I needed...a pick me up.
So sweet dreams my friends and keep me in your prayers!
It was a perfect day
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