Sant’Angelo in Formis to Casola – 13th June
Distance: 17.2 km – Elevation +640 m -380 m
Weather: Sunny. Temperature: High 28 degrees
The B&B did not provide evening meals last night so I took a stroll into the village and bought a few items from the village shop, both for a light supper and for lunch tomorrow. The shopkeeper asked if I was going across the mountain tomorrow and when I said yes, she smiled and blew a sort of puff – imitating I guess a difficult climb, but at the same time she said “la montagna è bellissima”.
As I started the climb to the summit of Monte dei Lupi I began to understand the conversation I had with the shopkeeper. It was a tough climb, mostly on narrow goat trails, with a gain in elevation of 430 metres over a distance of just 4 kilometres. But at the same time, it was incredibly beautiful, wildflowers and colourful shrubs covered the mountainside and the views to the plains below were inspiring. It was a beautiful day too with a cloudless blue sky and just the whiff of a breeze which helped to cool the heat of the sun. It took me 5 hours to reach the top and what a feeling of exhilaration as I sat and looked at the views that stretched out before me. I sat there for some time enjoying my lunch of bread and cheese, in total wonder at the beauty that surrounded me. I saw a bird of prey, possibly an eagle, just riding on the thermal currents. This was another of those moments of seeing God’s creation in all its glory.
As I started the descent the views on the other side of Monte dei Lupi to the fertile valley of the river Volturno were equally stunning. It was a slow descent first as the path wound looped its way down the mountainside. I reached Caserta at 5.30 pm and after a quick refreshment I started the final lap of the day – a 5 km climb to the village of Casola. After losing my way I eventually arrived exhausted at my B&B at 8.30 pm.
After a quick shower and change of clothes, I joined two other guests for dinner at a local restaurant. They lived in Ivrea and were on a touring holiday by car and they kindly paid for my dinner.
Just before sleep, I thought what a special day. A day of two hills – one at the beginning and one at the end – an extraordinary beautiful but tough day – and at the end very weary but fit pilgrim
