Of Virtue & Motion of the Feet

 Ciao, Pellegrini !  

In early July I was walking on the coast of County Mayo in Ireland, out on the far Western Edge of Europe.

Before heading to Knokke Airport for the Run Back to Blighty …

There was just time to visit Ballintubber Abbey, established 1,600 years ago by St Patrick.

These days it is well-known as the start of the pilgrimage route to Croagh Patrick, the mountain sanctified by St. Patrick.

Spanning a distance of 35 kilometres / 22 miles, the walk follows the path of an ancient chariot road and traverses over 100 stiles. 

Along its meandering course, it reveals fairy hills, ancient relics, and enigmatic locales where the Enduring Legends of St. Patrick continue to thrive.

Editor: Anyone who has ever read a Lord Ric Cricket Blog will know about “Enduring Legends”.

Never let the Facts get in the way of ... What Really Happened !

 As I walked round the Abbey gardens, I saw a plaque which well-captures my own experience of Pilgrimage:

 

Sandy Brown is the Editor of Cicerone’s Pilgrimage guidebooks.

He sets the Challenge for Pilgrims:

You can walk 1,000km.

But when you arrive, there you are.

Still You.

 

On the other hand ...

If you walk with openness and wonder, if you walk thoughtfully and gratefully,

If you take the opportunity to reflect, if you listen to the voice of the road,

And if you take a moment to make and love new and dear friends;

  

You will arrive refreshed, renewed,

Maybe even changed.

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My Friends

The Pilgrims are beginning to gather …

After a five year gap – “Events, dear boy, Events” – we are back Out Rambling in Italy.

Jackie + Jeff, David & Roger will be joining me.

This time it the Magna Via, a gentle stroll north-south across Sicily.

We set sail - on the Big Bird  - from Gatwick Airport at crack of dawn on Friday 4^th October.

Boots on the Ground, please, outside Palermo Cathedral : Saturday 5^th October at 08.30 hours.

We end on Sunday 13^th October in Agrigento. 

The Plan – who knew there even was one ??!! - is to walk some 115 miles / 185 kilometres over 9 days.

13 miles / 20 kilometres a day.

 

Did I mention the Ups & Downs ?

About 6,750 metres / 22,000 feet.

About like walking … three-quarters the way up Everest !

 

As they say in Sicily …

You can go a long way in Sicily with a Smile.

You can go a lot farther with a Smile &  … a Gun.

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But never any need to overly dwell on the Walking Stats …

For as the quote from the Book of Lissmore reminds us; Pilgrimage isn’t really much about the actual walking.

Chatting

As recommended by Dear Mary in The Spectator; we will be observing the long familiar 

Two * Five Minutes Rule

As always, there will be time - if we have enough breath – for the Big Issues to be Discussed & … Resolved (??!!) :  

Brexit Benefits

Global Warming

Donald or Kamala ?

Old Favourite: The Economics of Deer Farming in New Zealand

New: Why is Pilgrimage like Slimming World ?

 

And our All-Time Favourite: What is Happiness ?

 

Well  … Discussed anyway !!!

Please Note:

We do not feel the need to talk all day, every day !

If you are too tired to Speak, walk next to me, because I too am fluent in Silence

Ron Arnold

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

The Daily Blog will be up & running on https://ramblingwithric.blogspot.com/

  

Unlikely stories – all written in advance; Obviously !!

The line between Memory and Fact is blurry

Spare, JR Moehringer

Stunning Countryside

Amazing Villages

Prizzi

Where we will be staying on Day 3

And Cathedrals & Temples  

Temple of Olympian Zeus

The largest Doric temple ever built

San Gerlando Cathedral, Agrigento

#JobDone !!

The Food

Sicily has a reputation for wonderful food.

 

Cannoli

 

A pastry consisting of a tube-shaped shell of fried pastry dough, filled with a sweet, creamy filling containing ricotta cheese 

The Drink

The well-deserved Birra Messina (or two) at the end of the day.

 

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

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

Will there be time for a trip to the Lavenderia ?

Via Empedocle, 103, 92100 Agrigento

The Wise Pilgrim ALWAYS has an Ironed Shirt !!

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All the Pilgrims walking out in Sicily hope that YOU will be e-following us …

Whilst we are away …

How about heading outdoors Yourself ?

Leave the door open for the unknown, the door into the dark

That’s where the most important things come from

Where you yourself came from and where you will go

A Field Guide to Getting Lost, Rebecca Solnit

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As we say in Sicily … Amuni; off we go !

So,

 

Until we meet again,

May God hold You

Safe … in the palm of His hand.

 

Buon Cammino, Pilgrim Ricardo

 

PS

I know, I know …

How could I possibly forget to mention…

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

 TripAdvisor Review:

Trust me, the Gelato is worth it. It's the real deal - artisanal and absolutely delicious. 

I had the Pecorino cheese flavor (thanks to a tip from my B&B host!) and it was mind-blowing. 

If you want incredible Gelato, don't miss Le Cuspidi!

 Doppio Cucchiaio, per favore!!