most of this day spent indoors plotting, planning, programming
but as the heat falls away there's a yearning to go for a wander
fara in sabina is on the horizon and a 40 minute drive in bebe
the journey as much fun as the destination on narrow lanes
the c1 has a very effective a/c unit and enjoys winding roads
fara in sabina another hill-top town that at first is - well - ok
we agree if this was the first town we had seen - outstanding
the trick is to dig behind the facade - find the way into the guts
sure enough there's a narrow alley off the main street to explore
we are then immersed in another ancient town in fine condition
same story - no-one around but looking very much inhabitated
up and down a few polished stone stairways and feeling cool
the design of these towns is such that not much sun strikes
cool in summer and probably easy to heat in the cold winters
totally satisfied with our wander here and so a celebration
there's a gelataria on the main street with the locals outside
in every town we see them - the elders gathered for talking
we know there's an abbey in the area so trip adviser consulted
found - the controls are set and we give over to our navigator
the road descends, narrows, degrades and becomes impassable
at a crossing over a running stream we decide to reverse out
beautiful countryside though - olive trees in every direction
back on a main road we set up for a return to our home town
within a few minutes we are looking at the abbey of farfa - yay
it's an empty car park so we are out of hours but in we go anyway
no problem - we wander around this most ancient of small towns
built in the 6th century and protected by various dynasties since
we walk into the abbey itself - an indescribable feeling is invoked
it is large, beautiful and very welcoming - we are in a special place
it is a working church - a donation is made and outside we are in awe
we continue to wander and exchange glances with some in-house nuns
there are quite a few small shops in the main/single street but none open
apart from a tavern - it's a self-contained town that requires a return visit
we agree to do that at a more likely busy time then into the car and leave
2 more discoveries to add to the growing list - and tonight - anticipation
for tomorrow we are on a 4 day / 3 night journey to the area of naples
we've had 2 fine weeks in the area of lazio so time to push further...
