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  • Brian Gallagher

Italy

A 39-day adventure by Brian Read more
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  • Brian GallagherItalyBrian Gallagher
    1

    Day 29 Trevi

    September 22, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    We made our farewells to Karl and Leslie and caught the bus to Santa Maria degli Angélil in order to take the train to Foligno. We had walked this section on a previous visit.
    It was initially flat and boring ex Foligno on the Via Roma with lots of traffic. We eventually left that behind and became a
    little confused with the multiple markings. I do wish the Italians would decide on one system instead of every Tom, Dick and Harry complicating things.
    It was mainly through Olive groves and relatively flat until the ascent into Trevi. We are in the Old town and there's not too much here.
    We are both pleased to be walking again with the realisation that our adventure is coming to an end.
    The view from our hotel balcony is quite spectacular.    Read more

  • Brian GallagherItalyBrian Gallagher

    Day 30. Spoleto

    September 23, 2017 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 18 °C

    On the way to Spoleto we passed through the beautiful village of Fonte del Clitunno. From there it was the bikeway all the way to Spoleto. Hot walking on the Tarmac and yes, we got bamboozled on entering the city. Quickly corrected we reached our apartment. A quick shower and up the 30% incline to the Duomo, then the tourist office to learn we have to make a 2km detour as the footbridge is closed.
    You can easily get lost in this city so we Sussex out the route for tomorrow and visited the Roman forum.
    A pleasant meal the bedtime for an early start tomorrow.    Read more

  • Brian GallagherItalyBrian Gallagher

    Day 31. Macenano

    September 27, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 20 °C

    An early start to climb to 910 metres in the cool of the morning. We left at 0640 and reached the monastery at Monteluco at 9 for coffee before preceding to the high point for 10 am.
    The downhill section was difficult in places due to the rocks and narrow path. A good walk with cyclamens strewn on either side of the path.
    Good views of the rocky terrain. About 40 rock climbers crossed our path with their ropes and gear. Got fed up saying buongiorno.
    We reached Cesille at 1-30pm for lunch. Knackered.
    A further 2 hours saw us reach our accommodation in Macenano after a hard day.    Read more

  • Brian GallagherItalyBrian Gallagher
    1

    Dag 32 Piediluco.

    September 27, 2017 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 20 °C

    Today was a very casual and easy day. After a late breakfast we headed to Arrone where we arrived for lunch. The cyclamens are all around us and add to the scenery.
    We caught a bus to Terni transferring to another one to here.
    Nothing much here except the very beautiful lakes.
    In the evening we met Sandy and his group. He is the author of the book we are using for our journey. A interesting man.    Read more

  • Brian GallagherItalyBrian Gallagher

    Day 33. Cascata delle Marmore.

    September 28, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    This morning we taxied down the mountain to Marmore to visit the waterfalls.
    In 271 BC the Romans decided to divert the some of the river Velino over the natural cliffs at Marmore to drain the swamps around Rieti. Although it solved Rieti's problems it caused the River Nets at Terni to flood. It was not until the 15-16 th century that a series of canals and other modifications resolved the problem. Nowadays the water flow is harnessed to generate electricity. The waters are released certain published times and the the Cascata is a dramatic and breathtaking event.
    We arrived at the bottom just as the water flow was released, and although the sun was in the wrong direction, it certainly was quite a sight. After getting wet at the bottom we walked up the side of the falls admiring its grandeur to the top where we lunched before walking the 7 kms, on the Way, back to Piediluco where we had a well-earned Gelato.
    A memorable day.    Read more

  • Brian GallagherItalyBrian Gallagher

    Day 34 Rieti

    September 28, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    After the dramatic day yesterday today was a bore waiting for the bus and train to get us here in Rieti.
    A visit to the tourist office after checking in achieved the info that I required for our onward travel. A quiet evening meal followed.Read more

  • Brian GallagherItalyBrian Gallagher

    Day 35. Rieti

    September 28, 2017 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    Our last washing day today. The lavandaria took our washing so we had an hour to spare. We watched the drama of 4 Italians cutting down a tree. Not being sarcastic they didn't have a bloody clue what to do. As is their way there was a lot of shouting and gesticulation. I had to restrain myself as I could have given them some simple instructions that would have accomplished the task quicker and easier. Eventually the tree fell.
    We had time to buy some fruit before collecting the laundry.
    Dropping off the laundry at the hotel we visited the Duomo where a gentleman took us under his wing and pointed out the main features. From first appearances it is a temple to marble but sadly it's a paint job. A dismal and overpowering place.
    In the crypt, very beautiful was a column with an inscription that it was 32 leagues to Rome. An alter slab had an inscription with the date 1157.
    We had a long walk along the banks of the river Velino, the source of the Cascata at Marmore.
    We bump into Sandy and some of his group before lunch and gelato.
    We found a lovely little restaurant for our dinner before retiring and getting ready for our departure tomorrow.    Read more

  • Brian GallagherItalyBrian Gallagher

    Day 36. Ponticelli

    September 30, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Today we got back on track for the last 3 days of walking to Rome.
    A bus from Rieti took us to Osteria Nuova along the Via Salaria. An old salt road to Rome. From there we walked the 5 kms to Ponticelli to the BnB run by Giuseppe.
    In the evening he cooked a meal for us and 4 Italian ladies from a village in the Dolomites. A great night with the Italians singing and laughing the more the drank. Their pilgrimage consists of bussing from place to place. Margarita, Heidi, Clara and Frieda were having a great time.    Read more

  • Brian GallagherItalyBrian Gallagher

    Day 37. Montelibretti.

    September 30, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    We were off and walking by 8am, downhill to the village and continuing down before the 1st of 3 steepish climbs. The weather was great , sunshine with a cool breeze. Although by the afternoon it was starting to warm up.
    Its not very often you get 3 evenly spaced coffee breaks as today, with the first in Poggio Corese, then Aquaviva and finally at our destination. 17 kms today through mostly olive groves. The cyclamen are still around us.
    I have included a photo of the rubbish that the Italians blight there countryside with. The rubbish bins overflow in the villages because the council collection is spasmodic. So they though by the side of the lanes.
    The hunting season is open and the hot blooded Italians are out in force. There were some anxious moments with the shot guns going off around us.
    We had a pleasant meal and retired early in preparation of a long walk tomorrow.    Read more

  • Brian GallagherItalyBrian Gallagher

    Day 38. Monterotondo

    October 1, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Well it was hunters, dogs and rubbish today.
    Our early start was punctuated in the first stage by the hunters blasting away. Not an enjoyable start to the day.
    Then we came across some house with all the dogs barking and at one house 3 of them slipped through the fence. Fortunately they were not agressive.
    The closer we get to Rome the more rubbish litters the sides of the roads. Definitely no civic pride.
    So what should have been an enjoyable walk was spoilt.
    The meal this evening was ordinary.
    Sandy' group are staying in our hotel. It appears that only 4 walk with the others having riding the bus on the difficult stages.
    Tomorrow Rome..    Read more

  • Brian GallagherItalyBrian Gallagher

    Day 39. Rome

    October 2, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    After yesterday we decided not to walk through the rubbish to Rome but took the bus.
    The conductor was very kind, rather than have us pay 14Euros by purchasing a ticket from her she stopped the bus and said go and by a ticket in the newsagent but véloce. So I véloces in super quick time and bought the tickets for 2.6 Euro. I thanked her profusely.
    After checking in we took the metro into St Peters and picked up a Testimonium before returning to our BnB.
    Now we are cleaning our boots ready for our departure tomorrow.
    Trying to find somewhere to eat tonight was a problem. Not much around but eventually we managed to eat.
    Tomorrow we are on our way home.    Read more

    Trip end
    October 2, 2017
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