There weren't loads and loads of cars, but every time one appeared I had to get out of the way - as I've mentioned before Italian drivers frequently drive very fast and close! I also had to swap sides quite a few times because of blind corners. So for maybe an hour and a half I had to walk on 'high alert' checking constantly whether I could hear traffic and which direction it was coming from and whether I had somewhere to stand whilst the cars, motorbikes or cyclists (some at quite some speed!) passed by. It has to be said that I was quite relieved to get back on track to the planned route in my app. What I hadn't reckoned for was the planned route taking a very short sharp direction upwards towards the town of Moricone. I found a bench to sit on to catch my breath as I'd not been able to stop properly since I left my accommodation!
I didn't care it had almost disappeared in the weeds - it was a seat and it did the job!
Once I'd sat for a moment I climbed the steep climb up into Moricone and stopped at the first cafe I found for some much needed refreshment and a bit more of a rest.
By this point I'd covered 10.7km/6.6 miles in about 2 and a half hours. Ok, I thought - let's carry on!
Having had a short sharp climb into Moricone I then had another short sharp climb the other side!
Worth it for the views but it did get my heart pumping!
I then was taken along a rough path that began to make my feet hurt because it was uneven in a way, bizarrely, that previous paths had not been. Around 15km/9.3 miles I finally found a suitable stone to perch on and administer some first aid! Am amazed that I've got this far without incident but once patched up I carried on again. But then I encountered this:
The instructions said 'cross the bridge' - hmm...easier said than done when the mud/water was the width of the bridge and reasonably deep. As was proved when a cyclist came up behind me and casually cycled through spraying water left and right as he did so!
Now, necessity is the mother of invention and there was no way I was going to get wet feet if I could avoid it so I put some lunch bags to the rescue with some micropore tape from my medical kit. And voila!
With a bit of wibbly wobbly walking on random stones and tree branches I then was able to climb onto the concrete under the crash barrier. Hanging on to this for dear life I sidestepped my way across and reached the other side fairly unscathed - a bit worn out but triumphant because my feet were dry! Yay!
I removed my plastic protection and carried on and was happy about 20 past 2 to find a sign saying I was approaching my destination.
But my happiness was short lived as I didn't actually get to my accommodation for another hour and a half!!! And that was because of many ups and downs, climbing along forestry paths all the while racing a rather dark cloud. And then I lost the race 😔
Now I had sore feet, was all hot and bothered and also wet from the rain and at this point had no idea how far I still had to go.
Palombara Sabina in the distance...this is where my knees joined my feet and began to complain!
Down and now up again!!! Thankfully Andy was encouraging me to keep going at this point - I was losing the will to carry on I was so weary and sore.
Once at the top I had to stand under an awning to message my host and he came out to meet me and took me to the B&B. And of course my room is on the top floor so had make yet another ascent! And this on top of the 22.3km/13.2 miles I'd travelled to get here!
It was too wet for a photo outside when I arrived but this is the door to my place for the night. And at this point if I'd thought it was heavy rain before I was wrong!! The heavens opened and there was thunder and lightning and I couldn't see out of the window at one point because the cloud cover was so low!
I am grateful my place has a bath and a plug! But my feet still hurt and I am feeling a little stiff after today's hike. But once I had rested a bit, and the rain has eased, I set off to find some dinner.
And this is the door when the rain had stopped!
What a day! It's amazing how hard it is to walk with sore feet. I've heard that blisters can halt a pilgrimage walk and I can very well see why!
Praying for them to be ok for the walk tomorrow and not to seize up too much or getting out of the room for breakfast across the road will be a challenge enough!
And I am so grateful that the rain I've encountered so far hasn't been horrendous like it has been on a few days just after my arrival!
Just 2 more days to go - a longish walk tomorrow and then the day I will arrive back in Rome. Going to finish my meal now and climb back up to my room and get some much needed rest in preparation!
