27june 2017

27 June 2017

Cassio - Ostello Della Cisa - 18kms

I have to mention that our accommodation last night was superb. Although the Ostello was full, Andrea, the owner found us a small comfortable apartment. The kitchen was stocked with everything one would hope for. We were told that the Ostello was exactly the same. An incomparable service!

We left at 6:00am hoping that the path today would be kinder than yesterday's! At first we walked along a fairly quiet minor road climbing steadily towards Castelioncho where we hoped to stop for coffee. No such luck so we carried on to Bercetto, a town with all facilities. There we met a young Italian couple whom we first saw yesterday. Giuseppe teaches classical saxophone and Elisa is a trainee doctor. Feeling suitably refreshed after coffees and croissants (brioches) we all set off together. Soon we were climbing along a very tiring stoney track up to Il Tugo, a village at 875m. After Il Tugo we separated the two youngsters going on the upper track while us "oldies" carried on along a less demanding route. As we were going cross country long a track through woods it rained fairly heavily! Shortly afterwards the sun appeared. As soon as we had taken our ponchos off it rained again!

Six and a half hours after we left Cassio we arrived at the Ostello Della Cisa, a pilgrim refuge where we will spend the night. We are now very near the Cisa Pass (1041m) which we hope to cross first thing tomorrow. This will take us into Tuscany, reputedly one of the most beautiful stretches of the Via Francígena.