A walk through the endless hazelnut orchards. Why so many hazelnut orchards, I asked my all knowing companion. Nutella, Paula replied, a one word response that explained the whole enterprise. And so it went on, row after row, field after field, hill after hill. I only thought of kids’ happy smiling faces smudged with brown Nutella. Having tasted Nutella once I was grateful others could gain pleasure from it.
We passed through Monterosi where we stopped at the church of the Santa Croce for our passport stamp. You would think we were the second coming. Three women who were busy cleaning the church led us to the sacristy in the back where they offered cold water, coffee and a large roll of paper towels, always welcomed by sweating pilgrims. Where are you from, where are you going, wow, too much. And then would you do it again? That caught me for a nanosecond. No, once is more than enough. They seemed genuinely concerned for the our well being. I am sure they would have given us lunch if we had asked.
We met up with our Australian fellow traveler in Campignano Romano. He now is accompanied by Alexa, a friend, who finished the Camino di Campostella last year. They were drinking a bottle of rose over dinner when we saw them last.
Tomorrow Isola Farnese by way of an uncertain route since the traditional route has been closed due to an outbreak of swine fever among the wild boar in the area. We will be discovering as we go along.
Walking the Via Francigena 
You may ask yourself, “What is that beautiful house?” You may ask yourself, “Where does that highway go to?” And you may ask yourself, “Am I right, am I wrong?” And you may ask yourself, “What’s with all the hazelnuts?”
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That is so funny thanks
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You travel with the angels! I am so impressed by your journey, and sense of history and humor. And your fabulous descriptions throughout. Nutella indeed! Due giorni!!
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While you are walking through hazelnut orchards, we are walking through haze orchards. The Canadian wildfires have softened our view. Unlike fog, the haze puts an even gauze over everything. We are thinking of you and urging you on.!
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We are so enjoying our vicarious travels with you through the fields and roadways on the way to Rome. The joys and the perils! Angelic visions! Wild swine! Rosé! Hazelnuts! Thank you for bringing us along! 😘
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Kids love Nutella. Adults get over it and feel mild revulsion to it. Argentina had this butter colored chocolaty stuff. I think they called it mantecado or something. Supermarkets had mounds of the bars. Anyway, same obsession that passes after grade school. You are nearly there. Be careful.
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