Saturday, October 15, 2011
Lucca, Italy with a side trip to Cinque Terra
Big trip today, Cinque Terra, though unfortunately Shiela won't be joining as the path is just not wheelchair friendly.
We joined Dick for breakfast, then the three of us set out for the train station in his car. Given the issues of traffic and parking, plus the distance to La Spezzia, the train seemed by far the best option, particularly what we had read about parking in the area we were heading to. Sure enough, the train was quick and easy, with only one transfer, and dropped us in the train station that we departed to 'the five lands' from as soon as we bought the 'train and walking' tickets for the parklands that house the Cinque Terre.
A short train hop to Rio Maggiore, mostly through tunnels along the way, then off the train into the bright sunshine. Another lovely day, no clouds, warm sunshine, gentle breeze off the water. Up and over the train tracks, up past the little bar that our Aussie friends we met on the train were going to, and onto the path that is called 'lovers walk'.
We took masses of photos of all parts of the walk, they are the measure of what we did and saw as words are purely and simply inadequate. The smiles on Dick's, Jan's and my face in the photos are the measure of it. We stopped for a snack in a little bar along the twenty minute walk, perched out on a metal grid extending past the rock face and out over the water, in the sun and the breeze, lovely, then continued on to the first villiage of Manorolo. There the path continued through a tunnel into the town itself, and we walked through it, up to a small piaza, then down again into the town to the beach, and up again onto the first part of the path between the second and third villiage. There we decided that with Shiela still at the hotel, and looking at the time elapsed so far, we made the decision to head back. Many photos later of the picturesque villiages and stunning sea views, we boarded the train for 'home' and Shiela back at the hotel.
We arrived later but in time for dinner, our last together. Afterward, we shared with Dick and Shiela the bottle of Chianti Classico Reserva that we bought at Borgia Scopeta near Siena. A great way to remember our last evening together and the trip as a whole.
Then bed, they leave in the morning.
