Sunday 22nd May - Another Big Days Climbing!

I was up bright and early Sunday morning, as we were all going our separate ways... and so I set off just after 730 am, passing the town hall: 

and got myself some food... Then as I walked through Aosta, passing the Roman remains of the city entrances, and Augustinian arch:

and then set off through the outskirts and up into the country vineyards and forests, with the occasional castle turning up along the hillsides as I walked up and along the Aosta valley. 

I arrived at Nus just before 12 noon, had a look in the church:

got myself some food at a bar, and then decided to continue my walk that day off up into the hills again, following the tracks and trails ever upwards... And downwards!! I eventually got to my first destination, to find a sign telling me I still had 2 hours 40 to walk... And it was almost 3 pm... That's a long days walk!! 

The skies were darkening as I walked, and looked down into the valley:

As I passed one house up in the hills, there was a lovely welcome sign to all the Via Francigena pilgrims

I thrust on, struggling on into Chatillon, to the church of SS Peter & Paul:

and from there to the Capucchin convent, where a welcoming monk gave me the keys to my bedroom for the night... another room provided, for whatever a pilgrim could afford!!

I had a good feed of Pizza and salad and an early night... I was rather tired having walked just short of 30 kms and climbed the equivalent of Ben Nevis - a big hard day!