Gignod

Back on August 18th, when we proclaimed that we had completed the Italian portion of the Via Francigena, that was pretty much true. Almost true. Nearly true. Very nearly true. 99.273% true. But, not 100% true!

You see, when we descended from the Great Saint Bernard Pass to Aosta, our group’s pickup point was in Gignod, outside of Aosta, and 7.27k (4.5 miles) from the end of that stage of the Via. So, while you could certainly say we’d completed the Via Francigena, technically, you could argue that we hadn’t. Not really.

Naturally, being retired lawyers, we love highly technical arguments and concluded that our quest was not finished. We were 7.27k short!

So, nothing could be done but to return to Aosta, taxi to Gignod, and walk back to the end of the stage in Aosta. Which is what we did yesterday!

And what a walk it was! In August, it was really, really hot, over 90 degrees in the shade (with very little shade during two thirds of the hike). And, by the time we got to Gignod, we were really, really tired, having descended 1,598 meters (5,233 feet) over 26.2k (16.3 miles) in about 7 5 hours, much of it over challenging terrain.

Yesterday morning, it was in the low 60’s, perfect hiking weather, the terrain was mostly easy peasy, and we were very well rested and full of energy. We practically danced the 7.27k down to Aosta! It was pure joy, strolling along, dividing our time between looking back up towards the Great Saint Bernard Pass we had crossed in August (there’s some snow up there now) and looking down the beautiful valley to Aosta. Perhaps the most pleasant walk we’ve ever done!

When we got in, we celebrated by having a wonderful lunch at the same restaurant Sandy Brown had taken our group to on our last night together. It was super then; it was just as good yesterday.

So, now we can honestly say that we absolutely, really, 100%, inarguably, and without question have completed the Italian portion of the Via Francigena!Read more