Wednesday 25 September

Wednesday 25  September, i have a bit of catching up to do and hope to manage it during the course of today which is a free day. So on Wednesday 25 we had an early breakfast then a hike through the city to the pullman or (in English the coach)! As always there were two people who thought they knew the way so went ahead and got lost, not a recipe for a peaceful start, but we weathered it, found them and all got on board in time. At that early hour, the city only allows busses to park for a certain time, half and hour or so, after which they have to pay for a parking place for the whole day. It probably makes sense in the car park economy but doesnt allow for independent pilgrims who get lost! However all went well, we zoomed out of Assisi into the Perugia rush hour and so north into Tuscany and Lago Trasimeno. We arrived in very good time, long enough for a cup of coffee under the tamarisk trees beside the lake. These trees always intrigue me as we have one which sprawls all over the place. But here the various shoots from the ground are firmly wound together to for a sort of trunk and the they umbrella out from the top, and must look beautiful in the spring when in flower. Thee were men there fishing though, as usual, not apparently catching anything, but the lake supports a lot of wild life so must have fish in. We got on the ferry and set sail for the island. As we passed one of the other islands, no less than six herons flew from out of the tree tops and across the water, looking all tied together with string, legs dangling and croaking harshly. I also saw egrets, grebe, seagulls as well as some smaller birds.

We had Mass on the island since we have discovered both the small church near the seafront and the young lady who looks after it. So that was nice and Mass at the sanctuary all helps to set the day out of the rush of pilgrimage. After Mass we walked everyone round to the place where Francis traditionally landed and told them the story of how he came there for Lent with two loaves of bread and at the end of Lent, had only eaten half a loaf. Then everyone was let off the lead, so to speak and they soon all vanished. Some sat near the water and ate their cestina or picnic and others climbed the hill to the little chapel of St Michael where there are some early frescoes. The dayw as hot, I sat by the water and watched the egret working his way along the shore, while the grebes further out were catching their dinner. The lake is a bit of a mystery as there in no inlet of water, that is no stream or river runs into it, and also there are no outlets. In fact the water level was about two yards lower than last year since it has been a very dry year and obviously the lake relies on rainwater to get topped up.

It was lovely sitting there quietly and not feeling I should rush around and see everything, one of the perks of having seen it in previous years. I felt that quite afternoon with the ripple of eater did me more good than all the frescoes in Italy!

Finally the time came to catch the ferry back and everyone turned up in good order. The clouds were moving in and thunder was forecast as we got into the coach but we took a risk and went north a little more to visit Cortona and the shrine of St Margaret of Cortona. This is where they have had her head reconstructed by computer from the measurements of her skull, to give a lifelike impression of a very lively and lovely young woman. We took a group photo of the OFS members of the group, about ten of them which was really nice. When I get it, I will forward it for inclusion on our OFSGB site if they will accept it. It will let people know this great patron is here and perhaps encourage them to visit for themselves sometime. Then, as always, we made our way back to Assisi and escaped the thunderstorm which rumbled around the valley off and on all night.