Do you know what? I spoke too soon and the rain came down quite heavily just after I'd posted my setting off post!
The first part of the walk out of Assisi was very challenging. A steep climb where at one point I had to climb two fences because the route was blocked off and I ended up quite wet and hot as well! I was extremely encouraged when I came across my first pilgrim site and paused a moment to catch my breath and take a photo.
Though others had left stones, and some piled up quite artistically, I didn't leave the YBC stone as you'll see later!
I carried on and climbed so high I was above the clouds in the valley below!
I will admit at this point to being rather annoyed with Francis for walking this way and for locating his prayer cave at such an altitude, but I eventually got there. It's called Eremo delle Carceri and is a place Francis used to come to with his Franciscan brothers. I visited the cave where he used to pray and the place just outside this where he used to sleep. Didn't look particularly comfortable and I found it quite claustrophobic so I didn't stay long.
 |
| Prayer cave - more 'plush' now I expect than when Francis actually prayed here! |
 |
| His 'bed'! |
 |
Happy Pilgrim journey. May your step be safe and your soul is serene. Wherever you come from, the Lord give you peace. And wherever you go, bring peace
|
 |
| I added a stone - the first one on the left! |
If you want to read more about The Sanctuary of the Hermitage of Carceri then click on this link:
https://www.santuarioeremodellecarceri.org/home.html
Having had a bit of a look round, I didn't stay long as I still had quite a way to go, I carried on and ended up climbing quite a bit more through green forest on the cusp of spring with many a leaf just about to burst forth with abundance. Quite a spectacle - almost like green confetti!
I stopped for a bite to eat with this glorious vista and the only sound was bird song interspersed by cuckoo calls - very peaceful!
Feeling refreshed but still a bit disheartened by the distance still to travel I continued upwards and then - rounded a corner and simply had my breath taken away as I looked down on Assisi and where I'd come from. And just beyond that was a cross - Sassopiano - I'm just going to leave the photos here as describing the view wouldn't do it justice:
I took a moment to reflect and a quote from the
book 'The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse' by Charlie Mackesy came to mind:
'One day you'll look back and realise just how hard it was and how well you did.'
For this journey yes, but I also reflected on some really tough moments in my life and how this resonated so well. The journey can be hard, painful even, but one day we will be able to look back and realise just how far we've come. Maybe a little scarred and battle weary but still not where we once were. And I am so grateful to God for being with me on the way.
Not least as I climbed in the rain earlier. One of my children dropped me a message and reminded me that Jesus was always there beside me. And then said 'He's probs also soggy' which made me laugh and then me and Jesus, wearing a similarly ridiculous rain hat, with a rain-sodden beard carried on up the hill together. I really needed that image to encourage me just then!
Beyond the cross and views I walked onwards - many miles still to cover. I was continually thankful for the folk who keep the trail maintained by painting blue and yellow signs as every one I passed was a source of assurance and encouragement that I was heading in the right direction. I stopped at one on a hillside and took another shot with the aforementioned YBC stone:
Then I continued on the long descent through more forest and along long shale covered paths - all of which played havoc with my knees so it wasn't very comfortable! Then, finally, Spello - my destination came into view!
And thankfully not too long after I found my hotel for the night.
 |
| One weary, but happy pilgrim! |
After a rest and a meal, I'm not only feeling a bit more myself but I'm also thankful that tomorrow's walk is a whole lot shorter than today's and at a lot lower altitude. Honestly Francis - what were you thinking?!
Gotta love this graffiti I found whilst looking for tonights restaurant:
