We decided to spend the day walking. Boronia researched the options, and
we decided upon a walk in the Monte Cofano nature reserve, which covers the
Monte Cofano peninsula which we can see from our room across the bay about 20
km distant, an imposing peak of around 600 metres.
The walk starts at Cornino, and wends its way around the base fo the
mountain, largely hugging the coast. While not as high as the Sentiero della
Dei on the Amalfi coast, it is just as spectacular and enjoyable. We passed old
watchtowers, hermitages, grottos, ancient limestone walls and terraces, and the
odd ruin.
The hermits who lived here in the 18th centuries were reputed
to be effective in extinguishing any demons within the visiting pilgrims. At
the hermitage, alongside a shrine to the Madonna was a book for visitors to
record their impressions of the walk and make any other commentary. I signed it
and noted that my own demons were expiring with every step!
Our friend Robert attempted to cleanse his soul with a short dip in the
sea, and I suspect he succeeded as he is already a rather good man, and
wouldn’t have been carrying many demons!
The last third of the walk involved a climb of about 250 meters up a
steep gorge along an extremely rocky path to a saddle which then allowed us to
return to our starting point. The path went close to a number of nearby marble
quarries, which gleamed white in the midday sun, adding a surreal element to
the landscape. The vegetation all along the path was diverse and colourful, and
kept Boronia fully occupied in making detailed examinations, and where
necessary, in taking photographs.
The walk took four hours and a bit, but we all felt extremely satisfied
with our days effort. A shower and siesta followed.
In the evening, we found a lovely little restaurant named Arci de san
Carlo, and had a very enjoyable meal involving a shared platter of antipasto
and dishes of pasta and lamb. A local sauvignon blanc and then some dessert
wine brought the day to an enjoyable end.
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