Walking in Europe

Subtitle: Ancient hill slopes, summer heat, beautiful countryside.

August 9.. After an amazing Italian coffee and brioche at the local caffe/panetteria we spent yesterday first by connecting back onto the VdD trail out of Sasso Marconi and then swinging South and East up through oak-locust-cypress forests and into open fields (one planted in lavender) and through the Riservio del Contrafforte Pliocenico where the trail passes along occasional cliffs and small escarpments exposing an ancient Pliocene era seabed. Million year old seashells and layers of sand and sea bed adorn the cliffs as you wander by. We climbed to Monte del Frate where we stopped for fresh fruit salad and iced tea at Le Nocciole degli Dey, a little farm stand just opening and perfectly placed as we walked by. We decided to take the alternate route around Monte Adone into La Valazza (near Brento) to avoid the midday heat, to a BnB which turned out to be a lovely room in Jacamo’s house.

The heat is quite something, so we have adjusted our routine: early as possible onto the trail, carry additional water despite designated water stops along the way , and try to wrap up the days walking by 1 pm. Afternoon siesta’s are a must!

August 10… Brento to Monzumo.. a slightly later start today as Jacomo was a bit late on breakfast prep (his wife normally handles it but she was away) 😀. Out of Brento and a pretty steady gradual climb along a typical “Apennino” ridge top. We were on and off a mountain road, through some nice shady stretches through Monterumici with a bit of descent and eventual climb up into Monzumo (pretty hilltop town with lovely views of the rolling Italian farm/forest countryside). We had lunch in the town square with other hikers in a picnic area near one of the public water taps. Then found our BnB for an afternoon rest and a hand laundry! Just a lovely walk, but the packs and feet seem heavier in the heat!

Two days: 26 kms