Walked 8 kms only, from the Minturno-Scavi train station.
Overcast, top of 20deg.
Highlight – sunset by the Roman ruins.
We kept the walking short today, partly as ongoing management of the knee injury after the hills yesterday, partly as time management as advice had been that the long stretches along the footpath on stage 11 may be a less enjoyable section of the route for some if needing to skip some sections (and we need to skip sections).
Before heading off, we have a walk towards the other old section of the town, with the castle and cathedral. We stick to sea level, following the promenade around and back. Even though we felt that we had a distant glimpse of the Gaeta castle from the Itri castle, we had not seen it all day with the walk in the hills, even on arrival in the town as it is hidden by a larger hill from that direction.
Our travel today involves a bus to Formia, then the train to Minturno-Scavi.
From the train station, it is a short walk to the beach promenade. It is amongst these streets that I notice an unusual site in Italy – a road named after a woman: Via Elsa Morante, a writer.
First along the beach promenade, where everything is shuttered down, and we see only a few people, then, some local streets to work around the promontory. The next section takes us along a quiet road that while near the beach, is separated from it by private homes, private land and beach clubs – it seems like a long slog; we see only a few workers, and the occasional car passes us by on this road.
When we arrive at the river we have only two kms left to reach the accommodation for the night, right next door to the Minturno archeology site. We stop for a rest and a snack by the beach at the river’s edge. There are a few cars around and people fishing along the beach and the river.
A car rolls up in front of us, with an elderly couple (maybe 80ish) and he rolls down his window and in English says “Hello. How are you today?” Not sure how he felt so certain we were English speakers. A long chat follows, including how he spent many years working in Canada, where he has lived in Italy, how he is now an old man, where we are from and what we are doing.
We reach our stop for the night in time to set ourselves up in the garden and watch the sunset over the Roman ruins. A late dinner, and an unfinished game of canasta (too tired).
Stay – Il Postiglione – immediately next to the ruins; not in the guide, but they do advertise on the Via Francigena Facebook page. Discounted room and dinner available, with breakfast provided.
Buona notte
Richo and DC 