Day 8 - walk complete! The passing of Papa and the blessing of water

I made my way along the valley this morning and was wowed by more pretty scenery.

Having set off early to get to the Marmore Falls I hadn't checked the news and only found out that Papa Francesco had died when I got a message from one of my children. I was halfway up a very steep climb not far from the falls and I have to say the news made me surprisingly emotional. 

The point on the trail where I was when I found out the news.

I had hoped he would still be the pope on my arrival I Rome next week because of him choosing the name Francis that so connects with the man whose steps I am following right now. But sadly this is not to be - however I did almost immediately think that having celebrated Jesus' resurrection yesterday today he got to see Him face to face. And given Papa Francesco's passion for the poor and marginalized, echoing Jesus' own passion, I'm sure he was greeted with "Well done, good and faithful servant."

Papa Francesco - may he rest in peace and rise in glory!

With this having just happened and the climb I was on taking longer than I'd expected I was still about 20 minutes away when I heard a siren - indicating the falls being turned on. Whilst this was a bit disappointing I still knew the falls would be pretty impressive. And I was right!

Most exciting was getting free entry as a pilgrim and getting a stamp in my credential. Then I made my way in and found the upper falls almost immediately. I could hear them before I could see them - the roar of the water was phenomenal! But not surprising given it flows at 15 cubic meters per second!

Taken from the Specola, a small panoramic tower built in 1781 by Pope Pius VI at the edge of the Upper Belvedere.

That "mist" is from the falls!

To travel from the upper to the lower falls at Marmore, I had to climb down a long flight of steps. I looked it up after and you zig-zag back and forth for 900m long with a height difference of 150m, taking 25mins down and 40mins back up again! A stunning route if a bit hard going both ways!! And what was lovely was suddenly hearing my name being called halfway down - 'Ah-lee, Ah-lee' - my Italian companions were on their way up so we stopped to chat for a mo and then parted ways with the promise to meet for dinner this evening at my hotel!

Once at the bottom I geared up in my "poncho" which basically felt like I was wearing a black plastic sack!

Such a good look, that wasn't improved by the hood as you'll see in a minute, nor by the wind suddenly gusting and causing me to "inflate"! 🤣

However, suitably attired I joined the queue.

There were rather a lot of people around - maybe because it's the Easter weekend!

And here are just some of the photos I took!

Lost the black sack at this point cos I got so hot!

At this point I was slightly damp but I didn't care! However climbing back up the steps made me very sweaty indeed - it was quite the climb! But once back up to the top I continued on my way towards Piediluco. It was a beautiful afternoon - and I enjoyed the quiet after the busyness of the falls park.

And then - Piediluco!

I stopped at Chiesa Di San Francesco which contains some relics of St Francis as the lake here was special to him.

The Bible on the stand was open to Isaiah 40: 28-31 - how apt!

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Arrived at my hotel for the night!

Piediluco is a pretty little town and my room is lovely with a balcony and a lake view but...it is very noisy as yet again loud music with a heavy beat is pumping out! It's an Easter thing I've been led to believe - apparently the music will stop at 1am - Oh goody!

But to make up for all that this evening I had dinner with my Italian pilgrim brothers. Massimo had suggested it a couple of nights ago and it was an absolute joy to eat with them. They asked me about my role and using Google translate I was able to share about how I became a pastor, what a Baptist is and many other things beside. At the end of the meal they said they were going to treat me - how very lovely of them!

Massimo shared this image with me:

It says in blue: the walker is a pilgrim, and if his adventure is not a spiritual adventure then it is nothing!

As we finished eating together Giancarlo thanked me for sharing, saying it was a privilege that I'd opened my heart up to them.

As we said our goodbyes - they are setting off very early tomorrow and are due to arrive in Rome a couple of days before me I said this to them: 

"Sono così felice di avervi incontrati tutti, prendetevi cura dei miei fratelli pellegrini."

- - -

"I'm so glad I met you all, take care my pilgrim brothers."

A truly blessed encounter! And also tomorrow if I find an arrow made of stones on the way, that's them encouraging me onwards 🥰