Stage 19 Roma Rest Day

Don't know what the country's comin' to
But in Rome do as the Romans do
Will you on an evenin' in Roma?........

As Dean Martin Sang....do as the Romans do 

Up early to explore Roma, short courtesy bus from the campsite to Prima Porta the local railway station which links into the underground network in Roma. Pick up two day bus and train pass for E 12.50.

Change onto the underground network at Flaminio and head for the main  national and metropolitan station in Roma, Termini.

Catch the Hop On Hop Off bus to tour the city. First hop off point is the Colosseum. What an impressive sight this is, you can only dream of how grand this city was 2000 years ago, incredible structures, mind blowing images of the work that was required to build these palaces, temples, roads, pillars, statues etc. The amount of marble is incredible.

It is one of the few European cities to escape WWII reasonably unscathed. It was the centre of the Roman Empire for over 400 years. Rome remains essentially Renaissance and Baroque in character.  

Strong Military Presence in Roma, Trump is also in town 

Forum Romanum

Above the famous Constantine Arch

The Roman Forum is located between Palatine hill and the 

Capitoline hill and was the central area around which the ancient city developed. It was also the royal residency of the Regia. The Forum flows into the Colosseum which was completed in 80 AD under Titus, was originally known as the Flavian Amphitheatre. It could hold 50,000 spectators and is famous for it's gladatorial contests and public events.

Castel Sant Angelo, this is the Mausoleum of Hadrian, but later used as a fortress and castle. it is located just south of the Vatican. It is on the right bank of the Tiber River, and contains the ashes of Hadrian some of his family and many notable Roman Emperors.

Castel Sant Angelo

A short walk from the Castel Sant'Angelo is St Peters. Entry to St Peter's is free 

however the entry fee to the Museum and the Sistine Chapel is E 16. Visitors are many, approx 20,000 a day. There are many ways of escaping the queue's if you pay extra or book in advance, but all have to pass through security checks similar to airport screening and detection.

Inside the Museum

It is one of the largest museum's in the world and it's exhibits are incredible

Inside the grounds of the Vatican are also enjoyable

Two of the Saints, Garry & Paul

The main altar under the dome 

Underground Crypt John Paul I who died after 33 Days

Ross and the Swiss Guards

Tiber River

 A bit of lunch by the Vatican

Stage 18 Tagliacozzo - Roma

We're on a road to nowhere, Come on inside,Taking that ride to nowhere, We'll take that ride, I'm feeling okay this morning, And you know, We're on the road to paradise.......

Everyone is in good spirits, we will arrive in Roma this afternoon and two days off.

We head out of Tagliacozzo with a climb for the next 10 klms. We are approaching Roma from the south, but do not ride through Roma, so we pass on the east side and are camping to the north by the River Tiber.

May be able to see plane in centre of picture picking up water.

Great weather all the way. 131 klm today with 1500 mtrs of climbing

We stop for lunch by a lake near
Poggio Molano. With an elevated position we are treated to a plane completing practice circuits for the fire season. Landing on the lake drawing up water and releasing over the lake.

Fly pass after water release

Wonderful landscapes of rolling hills and heavily wooded areas.

Luke, Mark, Martin, Celine

An unusual aspect on our approach to the campsite
on the outskirts of Roma during the day, are the ladies of the night. It was on a section of road, approx 12 klm in length, rural not dissimilar to the Frankston-Dandenong Road, fairly evenly spaced about 800 mtrs apart on both sides of the road, sitting on chairs, dressed to entice, some on their phones others gyrating...I have not seen that approach before.

Three of the team are leaving us in Roma, Celine, from Netherlands, Pip and John from New Zealand. Great to have them on board, but sad to see them leave. However we are taking on six more riders. Bob & Scott from the USA, Aidan from  NZ Maggie & Steve from Australia and Val joining Gary from the USA who started in Palermo.

Early on whilst camping Celine was cautious about camping near the Five Amici's as we let it be known that we were the snoring section....I'm not camping here says Celine... as if no human snores!!!! 

Campsite by the Tiber River which flows through Roma

Stage 17 Cassino - Tagliacozzo

Wild horses couldn't drag me away...........

 We roll out of the hotel in Cassino with the Abbey as a a beautiful back drop high up on the hill in the background. Warm and sunny all the way today, as yesterday was sunny/cloudy and our coolest day so far.

A gentle climb up through the valley, mountains lush green and beautiful woodlands. Peter decides with a few others to ride to the Abbey, I am sure he won't regret the effort.

Monte Cassino Abbey

The climb up through the valley is constant but spectacular. The province is Frosinone in central Italy and the economy is mainly based on agriculture.

The soils in this region favour red wine, and Cabernet Sauvignon is a favourite of this region.

Coffee stop in Atina

Atina is a beautiful town elevated above a valley with surrounding hills. Also in this region is Sora famous for it stone walls, is situated on the Liri River

Monti Simbruini is famous for the Fiat 500 car. Still popular in Italy today. The highest peak in this region is Monte Cotendo at 2015 mtr. Like a lot of Italy the area is subject to earthquakes.

T

View overlooking the surrounding mountains in Atina

As Mick Jagger sang Wild Horses couldn't drag me away, what a great surprise to see horses wondering on the side of the road. 

These were the size of a horse but the look was very much like a donkey.

After a steady climb for most of the day we finally arrived at the the peak looking down on Tagliacozzo, wow what a view with the mountains as a back drop. A steep descent of 600 mtr into the town which has an elevation of 650 mtr.

Piazza dell Obelisco

A grande Gelati in town and a visit to Piazza dell Obelisco.

Lovely campsite, Garry and Paul produce the Lemoncello and some of the crew join us for a drink or two. Tom (Miami) stream the music through his portable speaker replaying all the hits from yesteryear. What a great night.

Tagliacozzo is located in the western part of Marsica , in the area of the Palentini Plans , not far from the borders separating Abruzzo from Lazio , in a position lying along the slopes of Mount Civita. 

Pescara  is of particular interest to the five Amici's as Ross's mum and dad are from here. Ross contemplated travelling to this region as family members still live their. so close Ross to your roots.

Camp Site at Tagliacozzo

Stage 16 Pompeii - Cassino

Now I've heard there was a secret chord, that David played and it pleased the Lord..........Hallelujah

Guinness Book of Records Attempt?

Big day to day in the saddle, 150 klm to Cassino, a steady climb up through some beautiful countryside. Start off with a good breakfast, Ross having received the Marmot because Martin nominated him as he thought riding with an Italian it would improve his language and his riding ability. (should of spoke to me Martin). Anyway after holding the Marmot for the day Ross put forward his nomination for our dynamic tandem duo of James (Jim) and Cathy for a wonderful example of teamwork, effort and enthusiasm. Well deserved Marmot!

Ross an his Marmot nomination

We rode through Pompeii and the outer suburbs of Napoli around the base of Mt Vesuvius. The roads are generally challenging, avoiding crevices, potholes and dips on the edges.

After 20 klm through suburbs we are on the open roads and Mt Vesuvius fades from view. We are in the heart of the Apennines (which comes from Pinnacle).

The view after the final 20 klm climb

Not big climbs but up and down all day. The final climb was fairly long about 20 klm out from Cassino, but the view from the top looking over Cassino was beautiful.


On the way we pass under the Carolino aqueduct (also as known as theVanvitelli aqueduct. Built around 1753

Rocca Janula

From there it was mainly a downhill run to the hotel.Fiat Chrysler have a manufacturing plant in Cassino along with paper mills, SKF bearings and marble manufacturers. The economy is pretty strong here.

One of the most famous sites  in Cassino is Rocca Janula a castle overlooking the city. It forms part of the Abbey but is not open to visitors.

The most famous site is Abbey of Monte Cassino, one of the most famous in the world.It was founded by Benedict in 529 AD. It was bombed during the WWII during the famous battle of Monte Cassino, and rebuilt again by the allies after.

The view on the way up to the Abbey

During the Roman era they built a temple to the god Apollo on this site. Benedict was of the most influential figures of Europe over the last 1500 years lived here and founded his first Abbey, destroying the pagan god Apollo and sanctified the place for John the Baptist. He never left the monastery.

It became a model for the Western monasticism and one of the major cultural centres of Europe throughout the Middle Ages and and wrote the "Rule", containing precepts for his monks.

Three P's Paul C, Paul M, and P for Pax which is Latin for Peace

We are staying at the Great Western, and after we had our soup, we decided to climb the extra 10klm to the top and another 600 mtr climb. Big day 170 klm all up but worth the extra effort. We arrive for the 4.00pm Office of None, to hear the monks chant and sing the Psalms...very moving. Most of the group say it was one of the highlights of the trip.

Inside the church

After our return to the hotel a great meal of pasta, wine and desert. Big day all tired but sleep well.

Court area overlooking Cassino

All the lads and group said this is a must to visit if you are in this region of Italy.

Rest Day Pompeii

How I wish you were here...........

A line from a well known band played here in 1971 in the Amphitheatre to no audience. Steve O'Rourke thought it would be a good reaction to films such as Woodstock & Gimme Shelter. A film & documentary of the show can be seen if you are interested. They played here also last year, this time with an audience.

Pompeii Amphitheatre

I know that face .....DG

For those interested the music was from Meddle, Ummagumma period.

Entrance to site

We were camped right beside the outside wall of the ancient city,
 which was under Roman domination since 4th century BC. Along with Herculaneum was destroyed in 79 AD, with the eruption of Mt Vesuvius and buried under 18 mtrs of ash and pumice. It was only rediscovered in 1748.

It is a fantastic site to visit, today 2.5 million people visit it a year.
The site is extensive and currently there is a moratorium imposed on further excavations. Less than a third of the buildings are open to the general public, but there is still so much to see.

We're all Blockheads too..........

 Some visited Pompeii whilst others visited Mt Vesuvius. Joan rode up on her bike, great effort Joan. Martin and a few others who have been on previous trips decided to catch a train to Sorrento.

After a big day in the heat visiting the ruins, the lads decided to clean their bikes. The end of the Giro d'Italia was on so I looked for a pub/ ristorante, or anything that was showing it. After a fair bit of walking I saw a large TV in a petrol station which served coffee etc. The 24 hr news channel was on so I asked in my best puppy dog sad eyes in Italian if I could switch the channel. Thumbs up great stuff Tom Domoullen is in the Maglia Rosa Jersey which is keeping the Dutch Crew in high spirits.

 After the race we walk through the town, pick a Sim card and Data card for Ross and myself from TIM mobile.

Stay around have a drink, something to eat then a Gelati. Tired but a wonderful day. German Group have arrived next to our camp. A large bus towing a large hotel type trailer where they all sleep each night, amazing!

Visit the local church, a mass in progress, wonderful singing, people all around in the local piazza. Ristorante overflowing with people, the Italians sure come out at night.

  

Zeus Webster

A bath house complete with storage for sandals & clothes

 3 million people today live around Vesuvius on the Bay of Naples and is one of the most dangerous active volcanoes. Roads are generally in poor condition, and the visible effects of constant ground movements is for all to see with cracks in roads, walls & footpaths etc.

Fantastic mosaics and wall paintings

Alongside the Gymnasium /training facility

Equivalent to a modern day take-away

Left is the Temple of Jupiter with Vesuvius in the background.
It is estimated that about 20,000 people were living in Pompeii at the time of the eruption. There was a major earthquake which occurred 15 years prior to the eruption which caused extensive damage, and not all of it had been restored before it's destruction.

Entrance to the Amphitheatre

Entrance to the Pompeii Site Euro 13, can purchase headset for E 6.50
Pironi Bierra E1.50
Gelati E 2.50
Sim Card 1 x 10 GB with voice calls, plus 1 x 4 GB data card E 30. Good value
Temperature 31 deg C