So...back on the road today after another breakfast at the cafe up the hill. Decided to save a trip down and up the hill as the walk today begins near my breakfast cafe - so I've left my luggage for collection and have my rucksack with me ready to set off shortly.
A light breakfast is once again in order after another truly delightful authentic, and very plentiful, Italian meal last night!
The menu arrived via WhatsApp message again:
Appetiser: tomato and asparagus hummus bruschetta, red bean soup with bread croutons, egg and asparagus omelet. Asparagus risotto, roast meat with potato flowers. Easter pizza with chocolate and strawberries.
Appetisers
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| Easter pizza turned out to be sticks of cake (a little on the dry side) and chocolate 🤣 Not quite what I expected! |
At the end of the meal I expressed my thanks to the chef (via Google translate of course) saying these two meals have been the best I've had since arriving in Italy and a picture of my screen was taken as a memento!
I've got about 16km (10 miles) ahead of me to get to Nerola so I'd best be off. The weather looks nice so hoping to stay dry today - really hoping I don't encounter any long wet grass!!
As I walk today I will be thinking about the funeral of Papa Francesco that will be happening in Rome. Before I left my accommodation I briefly tuned in to the BBC live coverage and they were interviewing a trainee priest who made reference to this quote;
“The priest who seldom goes out of himself … misses out on the best of our people, on what can stir the depths of his priestly heart. … This is precisely the reason why some priests grow dissatisfied, lose heart and become in a sense collectors of antiquities or novelties — instead of being shepherds living with ‘the smell of the sheep.’ This is what I am asking you — be shepherds with the smell of sheep.”
—Pope Francis' March 28, 2013
Having been reading Pope Francis' words with Andy in this book of collected thoughts and insights from his time as Pope since the beginning of my sabbatical this quote will be something to ponder on as I get back on the road after my day of rest.
Please continue to pray for my hip/back - thankfully it felt a little easier as I got up this morning, but I will have to see how it is when I get going.
