Fr. Jim and I got our quick breakfast at a bar, which sounds very odd, but is a quite normal way Italians get their morning croissant and espresso,
There are two routes from Radicofani to Aquapendente. The traditional shorter, relatively flat route is 25 km, but has a long walk on the verge of a highway. The recommended but longer variant is 30 km, with a lot of ups and downs.
We’ve decided to do the longer one but we’re dividing it into two days. So, we took our shortest walk of the trip today, just short of Ponte a Rigo, where we stayed at the Francigena B&B. They only provide breakfast, but very kindly drove into the nearest roadside catering, where we picked up sandwiches for lunch and dinner to keep body and soul united.
It was lovely to take an absolutely leisurely two hour and some odd minutes largely downhill walk, with a stop at a pilgrimage restaurant area. It is our last full day in Tuscany. For the rest of the day we ate a little, made tea, and read, enjoying the garden.
Mark 6:30–32: The apostles gathered together with Jesus and reported all they had done and taught. He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” People were coming and going in great numbers, and they had no opportunity even to eat. So they went off in the boat by themselves to a deserted place.
If Jesus and the disciples needed to do rest, perhaps we do too?
Fr. Jim and I keep needing pinching ourselves. We’re in Italy!
Love from your priest,
Fr. Patrick
I’m proud of our priests for choosing the tough road, with the wisdom to accomplish it reasonably.
I love the sheep just hanging out … and munching on the harvested hay. Would that our world would become the flock of Our Lord.
Women religious leaders and the Bishops of the Holy Land have invited us to a day of prayer and fasting tomorrow (17 October) Any day would be good.
) for peace in the Holy Land
It appears that Hezbollah may be willing to keep out of the current conflict. They may continue to cause distraction on the northern border of Israel, but they have not taken any major actions.
It is probable that Israel will pursue complete annihilation of Hamas. Nothing is impossible with God. United in prayer, we can bring our desire for peace and justice to God the Father.
Fr. Patrick, your photos are amazing. The way that you are able to frame them and select your objective in each one results in beautiful images that allow us to share some of all the vistas that you are seeing.
I was in Italy in business some 40 years ago. I was driving from a small town north of Venice back to Rome. The person I had been visiting directed me to Sienna, which I found amazing and interesting. I was not yet a Catholic. On the remaining trip I missed a turn back onto the motorway. The result was an unbelievable sight driving through vineyards as far as the eye could see. Each turn in the road was another incredible view. I stopped frequently to take it in. It was disappointing that I had no one with me to share these views. The horizon to horizon beauty was much more than I could begin to capture with a camera.
The fact that you are doing this pilgrimage with Fr. Jim is so wonderful for you both.
I pray that all the clouds you have will not mean your journey is about to be a wet one!
Thank you for sharing all your wonderful experiences each day. Barb and I look forward to reading each one and your beautiful photos!
Blessings to you both,
Bill