Assisi where all the Pilgrims go!

Today is Tuesday 8^th May and we had a fantastic bike ride yesterday. There were some great views, small tracks through villages and also some challenging hills. In Italy they don’t have bike paths but drivers don’t mind bike riders. The streets are rough and narrow and when they overtake  they give you such a wide berth they nearly have a head on collision themselves, it is very freaky and I have had to get used to it because there is no other way to go but to follow the leader. Our group is also very fit but I usually find myself in the middle of the pack. Some at the back want to stop more frequently to take pictures and constantly holding us up and the tour guide gets a little annoyed because we run behind time. Gary is good to ride with as he has taken my pannier off me so it is easier for me and now he has one on either side of his bike so he has more weight but my theory is that he is more balanced.  When there is an uphill he usually takes off a lot faster as he believes it is easier than going slowly as you loose your balance and the side paths don’t exist. My sheep skin seat is such a hit with all the bike riders, they all want photos with it and constantly coming up to pat it!!  There is a journalist here on our trip that writes travel stories in Austria and I am sure my seat will feature in it!   Any way the last couple of days have been around 35 to 40 km rides with a lot of tours etc in the villages but today is another 60 km ride but we are told that there are a lot of flat plains to ride on to Spoleto. Assisi is a very religious village full of pilgrims and has such an amazing history. Have a look on google. The churches are amazing but we are more interested in the historic buildings. This village dates back to the pre-Roman times with a history of over 2,000 years old and we are walking the same streets and it is quite unbelievable that we are here.

Wednesday the 9^th – We have just done our next 60km ride and only have time for a quick walk through the village until pre-dinner drinks and dinner as 8pm. I will do another blog with the new photos but I am a day behind now – oh what stress keeping up with the days. Each day runs into the next and we never know which day is which. This blog is helping me to know where and when we have been and to keep track of the days. Gary is suffering because the seats on the bikes are more like lady seats, I have offered him my sheep skin for tomorrow but he is too proud to say yes.  As Gary is on holidays and doesn’t want to write but he might make a guest appearance soon but he is happy you are all reading my notes.  Bye for now love Chel and Gary xx We are glad to hear Bob is feeling a lot better Gary will answer your emails asap.

What we saw when we first walked into our room!

Our large room in Perugia hotel called La Rosetta

Ready for Assisi only 35km

More vineyards!

A break on the way!

Another rest to take in the beautiful views!

Assisi ahead!

Assisi where the pilgrams kept their donkeys

The front view of the town

 The city and background which was so beautiful

The main church and Gary so interested

 Priests everywhere!

 I was hugged and kissed by some lovely nuns !

Medieval dinner to finish off a great day!