Rieti to Contigliano (6h/22km)

"There are moments when you fall to the ground
But you are stronger than you feel you are now
You don't always have to speak so loud, no
Just be as you are
Life is not always a comfortable ride
Everybody's got scars that they hide
And everybody plays the fool sometimes, yeah
Just be as you are"

Mike Posner, Be as you are, Refrain

Wednesday, 31.5.2017, Contigliano

Today was recommendation day - we discovered three places that are really worth to visit.
It started with the best breakfast ever and that really means something! If I'm missing something in Italy (except my Hansa 3, that is irreplaceable) it's German bread and rolls in the morning.
Didn't miss it today cause delicious selfmade cake were waiting for us and our incredibly nice host even surprised us with a large lunch package. If you ever plan to go to Rieti - stay at the Refugio Nel Bosco, you will not regret it!
So we started well prepared and continued our way through the valley. At first we had to pass through the city again, were we met our German - Austrian - Canadian pilgrim friends again who decided to stay there for a day to rest. That meant we had to say goodbye to them, may love guide their way to the eternal city. There their pilgrimage will end with a pope audience, we could notice how happy they were that this worked out spontaneously.
Our way followed asphalted streets at first till we reached a wooded area again. There the path lead uphill through mystic woods up to the monastery of Fontecolombo, a place of historical importance and great beauty. After a long break (enjoying the lunch package and sharing it with busy ants) we went downhill, unfortunately mostly on streets again. Back down in the valley we passed fields and villages for long lasting kilometres, the silence only destroyed by the passing cars on the near motorway. Finally we arrived at our stay and were positively surprised. It was an official pilgrims hostel located in a beautiful public park inhabited by singing birds, mute fish swimming in a flower covered well and a turtle crouching around in search for shade.normally I wouldn't mention the financial aspect but in this case I'll make an exception - because of a cool payback action of booking.com we just paid 5€ p.P. - was an additional surprise :).The place is called "Ostello San Francheschini", don't miss it if you happen to pass Contigliano!
Then we walked into the city to find a nice spot to eat and discovered the little agriturismo "La fontanella". As we asked for the possibility to have dinner, they explained that they are normally closed due to a private festivity but could serve us at least a simple meal, which turned out to be the best pasta I ever had eaten.
Delicious end of a great day!