16th July 2017

16th July 2017

Acquapendente to Bolsena - 24kms

Nice dinner last night at Casa de Lazzaro where the hospitaleras Maria and Roberta prepared a meal for Paula, Ana Maria and I. As we were starting two more pilgrims turned up, a mother and daughter team from the USA.

This morning we set off again early and were out of the door by 5:00am. Soon we saw a spectacular sunrise with a beautiful red sky. Throughout our walk today we had a strong headwind which kept the temperature reasonably cool. The first 11kms we walked along a wide gravel track along the edges of fields planted with corn and sunflowers. At around 7:30am we reached San Lorenzo Nuevo where we had a very welcome cup of coffee. At this point the Americans, Robyn and her daughter (apologies-forgotten her name) caught up with us. As we entered the centre of the town Ana Maria was delighted to see a big Argentine Asado stall which had been set up for some festival the evening before. As we left the square we got our first sight of the Lago di Bolsena. This is the largest European lake of volcanic origin.

After this point we walked all along the hillsides to the north and then east of the lake, with the lake constantly in sight to our bottom right. Fantastic views of the lake, understandably a very popular tourist destination. We reached Bolsena after a trek of six and a half hours.

Today we celebrate three months on the road since we set off from Canterbury on 16th April last. In addition, as we did not really have a chance to celebrate my 72nd birthday over two weeks ago, we decided we would treat ourselves to a nice air-conditioned room for a change and so we are spending the night in a posh hotel. It is very nice but we miss the company of our pilgrim friends!

Tomorrow we head for Montefiascone. Rome is getting nearer!