Wednesday 29th June - Remember he Marks you Leave

I was up for breakfast at 6 am, although there wasn't much!! And then headed out through the empty streets of Montefiascone... Firstly passing the 'pilgrim statues' up on the hill, overlooking the lake and the plain:

On the foot of the statue was a plaque which said 'don't count the steps that you have taken... Remember the marks which you have left' - a good statement for us all to think of!! 

Down the hill I went, and through some old avenues of trees and bushes:

Until then I came upon the ancient 'Via Cassia' believed to have been built in 4th C BC!! And still in excellent condition, and surprisingly easy on the foot to walk over... 

I was walking between vineyards and olive groves, well away from habitation, and very peaceful... 

Mid morning I caught up with Frida (from Estonia) just before the thermal baths at Bagnaccio, which we went in to (pilgrims were free!!) and spent a leisurely hour or so in the differing hot pools relaxing, and lazing in the sun. There were lots of people there, but surprisingly relaxed atmosphere... And no photos!! 

Late morning we left there, for our days destination - Vitorbo - again on the crest of a hill, standing out as we walked along the hot gravel tracks

and after a slight deviation to a shopping centre for lunch!!, we were up into the old town heading for the Torre del Pius VI...

a tower actually in the fortified walls of the town, and reputedly a place where the Pope was imprisoned... History indeed!! 

We were there by mid afternoon, a leisurely 19 kms today, with plenty of time to wash clothes, mingle with more pilgrims who had just started for Rome, have a look round

and eat a good dinner... 

Another leisurely day tomorrow, so ended up late to bed, chatting in the tent outside the tower away from the mosquitoes!! A nice spot to stay...