Medesano to Cassio 19/8/17

19/8/17 Saturday
Day 21

Medesano- Cassio 30+km (maybe 40 km)

Cloudy

Up 0500.
Outside Medesano Sloways app indicates right uphill so instead I elect to take Cicerone's flat, boring route in the dark.
Walk in darkness to Felegara. Breakfast at a bar but I'm confused with signs. Wish there was one route in one direction! After Felegaro I continue on a cycle path but have taken the wrong direction, re-read instructions, re-trace steps, then I'm on a gravel track way off-route.
9 km are repeated.
Left heel is burning.
Left hip is burning.

I thought the Ostellier was asking for 60 Euro for a bed! I was so desperate I would have paid it.
Arrive Cassio Hostel 1720 after having been on the road for 10 hours.

I'm stinking filthy while sitting on the edge of my bed writing this.
I had every reason to be worried today: the last 7 km stretch as described by Cicerone as a quiet road was besieged by menacing motorbikes, I slipped in my sandals (worn out of necessity) all day on difficult terrain, walked the wrong way three times and retraced many kilometers though I had been on the correct route on two out of three occasions. After Respiccio I took the riverbed which was almost impassable. I used my pole to slash at thistles and thickets, threw my pack over fallen trees and scratched and clambered at roots and branches as I inched my way through bog and over boulder along the bottom of this overgrown river track long unvisited by humans.

Cicerone and GPS directions both confusing. Rubbish heaps dumped in the bush. The threat of rain this morning. Mule track extremely difficult with steep terrain and boulders. So glad for free water at Sivizanno and to have the use of a walking pole.

Talked to God today.

Many steep climbs, looking more like Tuscany now with villages huddled in valleys.
Tractors turning hillsides on impossible gradients. Villages of Bardone and Terenzo tidy, pretty and quaint.
Given a private room at the Ostello.
Most difficult day of penitence.
Invited to sit with Italian pilgrims at restaurant. I hear singing from there as I fall asleep and it continues almost until daybreak.

God listened today.

5 Drinks
6 B/F
16 Ostello Cassio
15 Shared dinner Cassio





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