Via Francigena 2022: Stage 45: Pietrasanta to Valpromaro

21 kms — 32o C and humid/sunny — We met 2 new pilgrims today, on their way to Rome.

(By Laurel)

Our second-last stage ….

Despite my lack of energy today, and a couple of medium hills to talk myself into surmounting, as well as a final few kms along a busy highway into Valpromaro, Jim and I had a good walk. The VF route in this section turns away from the sea and steers the pilgrim inland, through green hills traversed mostly on shaded trails. Our stage-end for today is Valpromaro, a small village of about 130 people and picturesquely composed of only one street with snuggly-placed stone houses lining both sides.

Our last night staying at a hostel ….

As Valpromaro is such a small place, I was somewhat apprehensive about spending the night here. For example, I wondered if we’d have difficulty finding something to eat at supper time. Well, I certainly needn’t have worried! The hostel is run by volunteers and they took wonderful care of us! Camilla and her co-hospitaleros welcomed us into their homey ostello and cooked a homemade supper, which we ate as a group on the back patio of the hostel. Along with ourselves, there were two other pilgrims staying there — Evan and Ezra, young university students from Portland, Oregon. Stefano is a local gardener who had donated zucchini and potatoes to the hostel, and which were on our menu; he also joined our supper group. So we all enjoyed a great communal meal and lovely conversation together! One for the memory album! Jim and I had a restful sleep with a cool breeze, the peal of hourly church bells, and the sound of croaking frogs wafting into our bedroom. We both agree that Valpromaro is the very best VF hostel!

It was just the perfect place for our last night on the Via Francigena!