FINAL SAUNTER ON THE FRANCIGENA FROM LA GIUSTINIANA TO ROMA,Tuesday 24th June.

25 Jun

Mike and I were not too sure what to expect on this stage . Francigena signposts have disappeared and a stretch has to be taken on the busy,noisy Via Cassia

If you’re lucky they might stop at the crossing.

We walked a long way on the side of the road and did not see any signage off. Eventually, we came across a railway station and decided that in the interests of safety and sanity we would take the next train into Rome. A kindly young lady helped us out at the ticket machine and for the price of €1.50 each, we got the next train, after a five minute wait. Oh the delight of air conditioning.

We alighted at a stop closest to St Peter’s Square, had a coffee at the station cafe, girded our loins and walked a half KM into the Vatican.

Very busy – too busy to be enjoyable. Despite the guide book’s instructions and walking towards the right of the Basilica where we were supposed to get admission as pilgrims – it was a no go, Eventually we managed to get some help from a volunteer with a Jubilee badge on her blouse – pointing down the Boulevard she told us to go to Number 7 – the Jubilee Info. Point. About turn – found it easily and after a short wait we obtained our Jubilee Testimonium.

A long walk then to a Metro station and a few stops later, we alighted and walked to the hotel – after all the faffing about in the Vatican and in 33* heat, we were glad not to have walked all the way in….