We arrive at the amphitheatre for opening. While we don’t have time to visit all the other archeological sights we are eager to see this before being on our way. The gate is open but the ticket seller hasn’t yet arrived. The gate keeper takes our money and lets us in, then brings our tickets to us once available – special treatment i think.
There are a few routes out of Sutri. We opt for shorter though not the best. It involves road walking, including a short section on the via Cassia without path. We have enough shoulder and as always take considerable care. Once off the via Cassia there is some more road to get past but it soon quietens down and we are back amongst the hazelnuts.
Hazelnuts then give way to golf : Golf Nazionale. This includes the national golf training centre.
We make pretty good time early on and arrive at Monterosi for a break. After crossing the via Cassia by overpass (it is now an 8 lane highway) we are then on rural roads for the rest of the day.
There are three main sounds for the day: lots of birds, the really lovely jingle of sheep bells, and barking dogs. So many barking dogs today, including the sheep dog who gets under the fence to make sure his warnings to us are clear.
There are a lot of dogs in Italy. Some are well behaved, friendly, quiet. So, so many are loud, barking and aggressive as you pass a property. On the other hand, we have seen a lot of dogs living in such terrible conditions; so many dogs in cages.
We pass the Monte Gelato park and falls. A really beautiful spot, we have time for a minor diversion off track.
Our target for today is up on a hilltop. We don’t get a view of it though until we just about reach the base of the climb. We have slowed as the day gets on and sunset is approaching (4:45 pm nowadays).
Through the town to our accommodation for the night. DC has an Achilles’ tendon and left foot that are a bit sore today. We have done 24 kms with some ups and downs and tomorrow will be big day with a lot more hills. Decide to rest for the remainder of the evening. Ice, a massage of his stiff feet and walking no further than down a flight of stairs for dinner, has him feeling a lot better a few hours later.
Stay and Eat: Hotel Ristorante Benigni
Only two more days.
Richo and DC 