After 10 days of pounding gravel, asphalt, and dirt our feet and legs pleaded for a day of rest, so we moused around Mola di Bari before boarding a train for the 20-minute ride to Monopoli. Before leaving Mola, Francesco gave us an unsolicited tour of the Cathedral including a lengthy account of ceremonies on 22 July observing the feast of Mary Magdalene which include carrying the statue of the Madonna Dolorosa around the city to the chants of Jacopo of Todi’s Sabat Mater. Not to be missed, he said.
The train was packed with about 1000 of a mostly Polish tour group that de-boarded in the small town of Polignano, for which we thanked them profusely.
Monopoli is the pinnacle of whitewashed fishing villages etched into the rocky Adriatic coastline. Calling it charming just doesn’t do it justice. It is dripping with the palpable quintessence of a seaside village in our dreams.
But we awake to reality. Tomorrow is another 20km day so we must do laundry, re-pack our bags, hang damp laundry to dry and plan the next stage.
Walking the Via Francigena 
be sure to stay in Park Place in Monopoli. You must be near the end in Savelletri. Beautiful whitewashed villages along the coast. A good way to end this remarkable adventure.
LikeLike
Mola
Monopoli
Charming charming charming
Post-November Plan B perhaps?
Wishing
LikeLike