03 10 07 getting close to heaven
Well, we were ready for the climb – Nik said we were to do some serious hiking – and he was not impressed with my ‘moccasins’. He seriously doubted that I would be safe in them. He takes his hiking seriously.
We drove to San Bartolomeo- what a spot. Getting there you take your lives into your own hands. Thank heavens Nik had good reactions! The roads are so narrow, in places only one car can use it, and I think the good nature of the driver dictates who backs up when two cars meet. When a truck is coming in the opposite direction, you say a prayer. I guess that is why there are so many churches and shrines all over.
The air was thinner when we got out, and the climb was probably painfully slow for Nik, but he was very patient with us. It was an exercise session that was good for all of us. Sandy and I kept each other company all the way to the top. Nik and Phil did a lot of waiting around for us to make sure we kept to the trail. And was it worth our efforts. There are no words to describe it, and the pictures hardly do it justice, but they will be permanent reminders of the magnificence of the mountains here. The slopes are so rugged, and it is easy to see how quickly the weather could be an enemy – the trails are well worn in places, and in others mere goat tracks, so getting lost is an optional extra, one that we would not choose in that exposed place.
Would you believe it – at the half way point, we met an Aussie family – mum dad and son, who were visiting the place where her parents had come from. You could see the village from the saddle of the mountain. The husband went all the way to the top with her cousin, who lives nearby. It was interesting talking to them. He was able to tell us that the monument – the war memorial - had blown over in a storm some time ago. Even the wreckage is spectacular. We really were on top of our world when we reached the peak.
The whole took a little over five hours – and we were thrilled to have been given the opportunity to see this part of Italy. This really is one of our best days.
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