Rieti to Rome

We are now in Rome.  What a journey we have had over the past month, and the last 100 kms from Rieti have been just as interesting as the first 100 kms!

Thankfully this part of the way has not been QUITE as steep, though it has had its moments!  The path has gone along roads, through forests, and we have had short bits that could have been called "bush bashing".  We also managed to get geographically embarrassed on our second last day, though not through our fault - the signs just dissapeared!

 Downhill, followed by a steep uphill.

 We left the medieval village on top of the hill, and passed through this deserted one, crossing the bridge and heading uphill.

Yes, this was the path!

 Walking through the streets of Poggio San Lorenzo in the early morning.

 Almost a touch of bush bashing to come.

 Julie negotiates what we think is the path

 On our penultimate day of walking we shared the path with a bunch of horses and their riders as they went for an early morning ride.

We lost the path at one point, and were eventually directed to the " white road".

No, South Aussies - it's not the road  to Kuitpo, but a road that leads to Rome!

 These twowanted to say hello as we walked past.

As we got close to Rome (only about 15 kms away here) the signs deteriorated.

On this leg we have stayed in a luxurious agriturismo that served us a delicious gourmet dinner, and in basic accommodation in a convent, sleeping on fold up beds.  We have had the luxury of being able to stop at bars for refreshments along the way, and on the last day the added luxury of walking less than 10 kms!

 Our agriturismo accommodation.

 The convent where we had folder beds.........

......... and the church where we eventually found the priest who could stamp our credential,.....

....... though he met us after mass at the bar.  Not only did he stamp our credential, but shared a drink with the boys at the bar.

When we got to the outskirts of  Rome we eventually found a hotel where we got a fifth floor room, and a fantastic view over the city!

Arriving in Rome, we decided that we couldn't cope with walking past our hotel to St Peter's Basilica, and so we stopped at the hotel, saving the last few kilometres for Monday morning when we knew we could get into the Vatican to collect our Testimoniums.  Sunday (the one day when it is not possible to collect the Testimoniums) was a leisurely day.  After showering, we took ourselves outside to a bar where we had a late lunch and waited for Jim ( Julie's husband) to arrive, and then it was leisurely drinks while we caught up with each other's news.

At the Vatican we took some time collecting our special certificates.  We had to go through two police checks before reaching an office where, on surrendering our passports, we were issued with a pass which allowed us to go to the next spot where we had to wait for midday prayers to finish before we eventually passed our credential's in for their final stamp.  This exercise wore us out and so, after a leisurely lunch we returned to our respective rooms for a much needed siesta!

 Our arrival in Rome

Our destination the next day.

 With our Testimoniums, and the second lot of police (Swiss Guards) we had to pass to get around the end of the white building on the right.

Feeling quite pleased with ourselves!

It has been an interesting journey.  The early days were far harder than I had imagined, and poor Julie coped wonderfully well with some very difficult days, being thrown in the deep end on her first pilgrimage.  We learnt a lot, not only about Italy, but about that extraordinary man St Francis.  We have seen some wonderful things - the hilltop towns, the forests, and of course the buildings and artwork in them.  I think it will hold a special place in our hearts for both of us.

 One of the last hilltop villages we passed through.......

.......and a last lot of narrow roads,.........

The end of the grandiose......

......... almost!

Last night the three of us met for a final dinner.  Jim and Julie are headed to Lucca today, and I head to Edinburgh tomorrow.  As is the way though on this trip with unexpected treats, I have spent this last evening in Italy with a friend from home, Jo, who has been walking a week or so behind us and has caught the train here to fly home tomorrow.

Those of you who are observant will notice that a postscript has been added to the introductory  paragraph at the top of the page.  As it has been hard to know what the situation in Jerusalem would be in a couple of months, my friend Neil and I decided that it would not be prudent to walk there thus we have changed plans.  He is walking in Spain, and I am off to the UK to complete Jogle, otherwise known as the "End to End".  Jogle is the abbreviation for John O'Groats to Land's End (ie from North to South).  The opposite way is known as Lejog.  Thus my next post will be from Scotland, and I will be there for the referendum!