Day 24

Sleeping location: Some steep woodland a couple of km up the hill from Spoleto
Distance (km today/total): 67 / 2737
Estimated climb (m today/total): 400 / 18700
Glorious lie-in until: 9am
Day in one word and five sounds: Umbria, ia, ia, eh eh eh

A “semi-rest” day which was much needed for tired legs. We relaxed in the apartment until 11, made some breakfast and then went for a look around Perugia for a couple of hours. It’s a mystery why Perugia isn’t rammed with tourists like some bits of Tuscany not far away - it’s absolutely delightful, with loads of history, steep winding streets, interesting street art, grand buildings and some amazing views down from the hilltop that the city sits on. All of this in the almost total absence of tourists. Perugia is amazing do not go there you will ruin it.

We set off about 2pm for a short and mainly flat jaunt to Spoleto, along the fields of Umbria. Not much to report really. We hid from a thunderstorm in a conveniently located ice cream parlour, where I had Zuppa Inglese (“English soup” aka trifle) ice cream, plus some other flavours that were actually nice. A large portion of the day was along a really good cycle route between Assisi and Spoleto. Matt got a flat tyre.

Due to the aforementioned holdups we were a little pressed for time in finding a campsite, but we made the best of it with our hammocks and cooked a passable meal on a little ledge. I am keen to use the hammock more as it’s sooooo comfy, really quick to set up/take down, and doesn’t require flat land. After saying four days ago that I might not need the quilt, I have used it every night since because the air has been pleasantly cool up in the hills. Tomorrow: mountains.

 

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