Eager to beat the heat, we headed off early through the streets of Rome. It was hard to tear ourselves away because Rome feels like a giant outdoor museum, but we wanted to complete some of the walk to Ostia. We had our usual second breakfast before we began the serious walking of the day.
Just after our cafe stop we joined the cycleway, which followed the Tiber River for the first section. There was a large riverside park with exercise equipment, flying fox, small soccer ground and off leash dog area. We came across a cat colony and later found out that cats are protected in Rome as part of the biocultural heritage. It was easy walking and pleasant enough, with bike riders in either direction. We stopped at the one shady rest area and gave a bottle of water to the only other walker we saw.
We crossed the bridge and continued on a dirt track, with fields of hay off to the side. Some big trucks came up behind us, then up ahead we saw sand being tipped on the road. A man started waving at us but when we got closer we saw that he was more waving us away, rather than being friendly. He told us that the road was closed, but after a brief discussion he let us through with the warning that we might have to come back. At the next section of road work the workers just waved us through with the direction to stay on the side. Some bike riders either way passed us and it was all fine in the end.
After a bit of road walking we found our way to an air conditioned shopping mall where we drank a lot and had lunch. We caught the train back to Rome and headed to our apartment for a well-deserved rest.
 |
| Leaving Rome this morning |
 |
| The way out of Rome |
 |
| Footpath above the Tiber |
 |
| A welcome second breakfast |
 |
| Up to the cycleway, which we walked for the next 3 hours or so |
 |
| On the cycleway |
 |
| Reading about the cycleway along the Tiber |
 |
| Between Rome and the sea |
 |
| Scenic sewerage works selfie |
 |
| Some cycles on the cycleway |
 |
| Scenes from the cycleway |
 |
| Plotting the way forward |
 |
| The asphalt on the path gave way to gravel |
 |
| We were joined on the path by some workmen with trucks |
 |
| After a brief pause we continued largely uneventfully along the path |
 |
| Along the dusty path |
 |
| Healthy fruit for morning tea |
 |
| A bit of road-walking |
 |
| An air-conditioned shopping mall was very welcome on a warm day |
 |
| A drink and a rest in the air-conditioned shopping mall |
 |
| On to the Parco Leonardo train station to finish today's walk |
 |
| A train back into Rome |
 |
| Back in Rome |
 |
| Bits and pieces |
 |
| Birds |
 |
| Day 80 - Map |
Day: 80
Distance: 30.87 km
Walking time: 5 hrs 56 mins
Elevation gain: 78 metres
Cumulative distance: 1665.59 km
Another energetic day and you both look wonderfully relaxed and happy 😃
ReplyDeleteThane Jane!
Delete