It is late in the afternoon …

 It is late in the afternoon … of … Sunday 13^th October 2024 

Pilgrimage

I discovered that my imagination came alive when I moved away from the immediate world around me

Kazuo Ishiguro

Ciao, Pellegrini !  

In September & October 2019 …

The Pilgrims were out rambling on The Way of St Francis: from Florence via Assisi to Rome.

A gentle stroll of some 530 kilometres (330 miles).

A mere 17,300 metres of ascent; equivalent to climbing Everest … Twice!!

Who ever knew Northern Italy was so flat?

 

Heading into St Peter’s Square, Rome

#Journey’s End

 Five years on ...

In October 2024 The Pellegrini will be back in the Old Country; Italy.

This time it is Sicily.

The Magna Via Francigena.

What did Andrea Camilleri, the author of Inspector Montalbano, say about Sicily:

“Sicily has suffered 13 foreign dominations from which she has taken both the best and the worst.

The sequence of different cultures has made Sicily a fascinating place, quite unlike any other.”

The Magna Via, which follows ancient drovers’ paths, became a pilgrimage in 2017 and is little known outside Italy.

As for the walk, the story is simply told:

1. Saturday 5 October: Start at the cathedral in Palermo
2. Head slightly southeast.
3. Sunday 13 October: End at the cathedral in Agrigento.

So .. What of the Spirit of the Magna?

It is beautifully encapsulated in the walk’s Motto …

Mettici Manu: 

Never remain still, be committed to changing whatever you can  - with a smile on your face

 As always on Pilgrimage … we will be Trusting the Statistics to the Reverend Susan.

All we need to know is that on average each day we be strolling:

·         23 kilometres (14 miles)

·         850 metres (2,750 feet)

The Guidebook is purchased and the GPS downloaded.

But I sense we won’t be needing to check the way all that often.

For the route is well signposted: little stencilled pilgrim figures, Magna Via stickers, a splash of red and white paint.

Along the way we will taking in the stunning Countryside:

 

The Sicani Mountains are named for the ancient people who lived here before Greek colonisation.

As the Guidebook says: 

There’s a wild beauty to the landscape and a complexity to its folds, uplifts and rugged forms.

And amazing Villages:

Sutera

Naturally; there will be time for Cathedrals:

Monreale Cathedral

And for Temples too:

The Valley of Temples near Agrigento dates back to the 6^th century BC when it was one of the wealthiest cities in Ancient Greece.

The Temple of Concordia, named after the goddess of harmony

" One of the best-preserved Greek Temples in the world "

 Of course, there will be all the Regular Features of Pilgrimage.

The Daily Blog will be up & running.

Don’t worry: as always, we Never let the Facts get in the way of What Really Happened !!!

The Local Food:

Fresh cannoli at Caffè del Corso Biscari, Santa Cristina Gela

 The well-deserved Messina Grande (or two) at the End of the Day:

And a glass (or several) of Marsala, Sicily’s dessert wine:

As Dr Johnson (almost) said:

When a man is tired of Dessert Wine, he is tired of Life

There will be – how could it possibly be otherwise ? – one of the famous Rest Days.

This time it will at the completion of the walk, at Agrigento.

Will Frank himself be singing a song at the far end of Via Atena in Piazza Sinatra?

Fear not, Pellegrini; the Lavanderia has already been identified …

 

The Wise Pilgrim always has a freshly washed & ironed shirt !

If we have enough breath, the Big Issues will be Discussed & … Resolved (??!!) :  

Brexit Benefits

Global Warming

Keir or Rishi, Joe or Donald 

The Economics of Deer Farming in New Zealand

   And our all-time favourite: What is Happiness ?

Well  … Discussed anyway !!!

---

It is late in the afternoon … of …  Sunday 13^th October 2024

There is only one place in the world to be !

The Pellegrini have reached the bar in the piazza just by the Cattedrale di San Gerlando in Agrigento; with its views across the Mediterranean to the coast of Africa.

Sciavuru di Vanedda

The Question is: 

Will YOU be there ?

And as you are Deciding (to say Yes; obviously !) ...

May an Ol’ Pilgrim say: 

I want to look back and say,

“I can’t believe I did that”

NOT

“I wish I had done that!

 

I really would like You to come along !!

So,

Until we meet again,

May God hold you

Safe in the palm of His hand.

As we say in Sicily … 

Amuni, off we go !

We are expecting You !!

ciao, Ricardo 

 PS

 How could I possibly forget to tell you …

The Rough Guide to Sicily could not be clearer:

 

Eating a genuine Sicilian ice-cream is one of the world’s most indulgent gastronomic experiences.

Look out for Produzione Propria: made on the premises.

Le Cuspidi

Piazza Cavour, 19, Agrigento

 Google Review:

"Best ICE-CREAM and BEST SERVICE of the whole Sicily! 

Niccio was amazing helping us with the language, giving suggestions of the menu and making us feel really important as a customer.

THANKS! We will come back."

Ricardo Advises:

Ice-cream is vital for survival.

The Dinosaurs didn’t have it … and just look what happened to them !