By far away, our stop at the Passalacqua, Turismo was the best accommodations of our trip, including breakfast, alfresco, with deer off in the distance.
Walking in autumn, the hills and their fields have all been harvested, and the earth shows through. I’ve got to believe that in the spring, when the wheat is growing, it must be a completely different beauty— the cycle of life.
Yesterday, Fr. Jim came down with a small blister on the outside of his heel. Amputations were held forthwith, and all is well. We hope.
There were a couple of places where we passed through dry stream beds, that I imagine in rainy season might be difficult. Just something to be aware of the traveling through that time.
The 1st mile and a half, or so, from the agriturismo, or Gallina, for those who stay there, were flat, on cobbled roads, but then an almost endless uphill starts, taking you all the way up to Radicofani, sometimes on asphalt, sometimes on paths.
I had the very sweet pleasure of walking with a very friendly Italian, Giovani, married to a British woman, living part time in both countries. It’s just so very rich too be able to have international conversations, to meet completely different sets of expectations and observations. We ended up walking very quickly into Radicofani, arriving much too soon for our rooms to be available at 2 pm. I sat in a square and watched as people came out of Mass, chatted with friends and had an apéritif in the piazza.
Fr. Jim takes a more meditative, spaced, walk, and came along in time for well-deserved beer, after a long, uphill slog, and a stroll through this small, but charming, town.
One of my absolutely favorite readings was read today — Prophet Isaiah 25:6-10a: On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, the web that is woven over all nations; he will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face; the reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken. On that day it will be said: “Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us! This is the LORD for whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!”
It brings together hope, and pleasure and comfort. Shall we not flee into His embrace?
Love from your priest,
Fr. Patrick
I love looking at the pictures so
Much! They make me feel as if I am on the trip with you! Bernard and I won’t be journeying to Israel in January as the trip has been cancelled. I am relieved but so sad for what is happening to all who live in our holy lands!
I also love that reading from Isaiah! It is so apropos for you on your trip!
Patricia
You are missed!
The Mary frieze is amazing! Why did God invent blisters?
If you are reaching your goals in mid afternoon, this bit of trivia is probably not useful, but I’ll guess that the Boy Scouts did not teach this:
How to tell how long until sundown:
Stand with your shoulder facing the sun
Extend your arm with a fist.
Count how many knuckles are between the sun and the horizon.
Each finger is about 15 minutes.
It also works to tell how long since dawn, and each person does best to verify the 15 minute size of their fingers.
Peace and love in all our world, bb
It seems you had a short day today but what a wonderful story! I get you, and that’s the beauty of traveling or living in a foreign country. It gives us the opportunity to explore new places, meet new people, learn their culture, and appreciate the differences and similarities between their way of living and ours.
May God embrace you and Fr. Jim with love and comfort during your journey.