Today we decided to walk up the valley above Amalfi. After breakfast, we departed around 9.30 am, up through the town, and through a narrow valley with a strong flowing stream flowing down its centre. The path was well trodden, over centuries, and every few hundred metres there were ruined farm houses from the 13th century or beyond. At one spot, a local landowner had renovated a ruin and sold only local produce from his farm. We stopped there for a drink (lemon granita) and boronia had a piece of crumbly but delicious almond and lemon cake with local honey on the side. It was delicious!
Climbing ever upward, through thousands of lemon trees and then into wilder territory, we reached the cross road which signalled our return via a loop through the town of Pontone (where we had a pleasant lunch), then climbed the hill which leads to the Torre dello Zino, although a mistake on my part meant that we didnt go all the way down the hill to the Torre. From there we headed down to the town of Atrani, and back to Amalfi via the tunnel under the Torre dello Zino. We arrived home around four pm, so at least four hours walking on medium grade hills.
After a rest, and a shower, we headed out to dinner to a local restaurant recommended by the hotel. It was terrific, the food excellent, probably the best meal we have had so far.
Back home to settle down, do some chores and write this blog. A terrific day, great scenery, wonderful food, enjoyable company and conversation. One cant ask for more.
I was particularly struck by the accumulated work over centuries of the peasant farmers who eked a life and living from quite difficult landscapes. Farmhouses, terraced farms, stone walls and paths, all evidence of lifetimes of hard work by unknown men and women who also built the culture and society that is Italy (and indirectly Australia) today. Worth pondering what we will leave our descendants!
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