A ‘Gentle’ Meander..

I’ll give Monday a miss… a strong wind had blew up Sunday night, and carried on most of the day, so I made use of it..and did some washing, reading and planning for the next day ! –at least I found the value of the high shrubbery around my pitch, as I didn’t get rocked in Wally, like I have been in other places..

So, this morning I’d decided I should go for a walk, up into the hills, I’d a rough plan, and small map/diagram of some marked walks..so I planned to start from the campsite, and see where it got me to ! The alarm went off at 6 a.m., although it was slightly dull, I didn’t plan to be out walking in the middle of the day (some plan!)

Having breakfasted,made my butties and packed my rucksack with lots of supplies I set off just before 8 a.m. and was soon following a trail from the Marina, up towards Pietracorbara in the hills, I was walking through woods, and overgrown bits of whatever, with brambles scattered everywhere, trying to catch me out – I did have long pants/shirt if it got too bad ( it didn’t ).. as I walked along I suddenly saw a big herd of goats coming down the track towards me, and smartly stepping to the side, they all shot passed me.. there must have been someone herding them, but I didn’t see or hear anyone, but they seemed to know where they were going !

The trail was passing old abandoned hamlets, consisting of 3/4 houses (shacks) which were now falling down, with the roofs having collapsed , I suppose they were goat herders, the land didn’t seem to be of much other value, apart from wood for kindling..

I got up to the church at Pietrocorbara, and then started following another trail up to some higher hamlets alongside a small stream, which even though it didn’t seem much, had cut it’s way down into the rockbed

Then I ended up at Cortina, quite how I wasn’t sure (as the  only thing I’d forgotten was the map !) another hill village, which was having a lot of work done on the houses, and streets – must be up and coming !

I had lunch in the woods there, and turned around to re-trace my steps , funny how you see different things going in a different direction.. It was quite hot by now, being the middle of the day, although the woods did give me some cover, when it burst out into the sun…it was hot !

I found an old watermill, which has had recent renovation, with a new waterwheel being built up underneath it, great ingenuity up in the hills, then as I got closer to home, I started ‘wandering ‘ again trying to find a trail to the left, up into some higher mountains, which I could see from the campsite, but not whilst I’d been walking..

I located an old dry stream bed, which went up the hill, and I followed it, up and eventually popping out on a ride, into full sun..and the track I think is the one I was looking for..I did follow it for a while, eventually deciding to come back again, and climb up it.. great views of the mountains behind and sea in front .. ready for another day, now it was to get back to camp for a cooling swim and relax..

I’d been walking, how far ?, 7 1/2 hours, and 550mts+ climbed…phew I’m jiggered…….Goodnight !