Will add words later.
Absolutely loved it!

Slight hold up in the morning.
I thought I would set off quite early because I was worried about the heat on the walk.

First hold up ... I hit snooze.
Second hold up ... I was chasing a shop that sold the first of the 5 Cinque Terre Charms.
Didn't occur to me until later that I could get this one when I get back.
That shop, as I found out, didn't open til 10am.
There are 5 small charms, circles really, with the names of each town of the Cinque Terre ... and you can only buy the corresponding charm in each town.
Anyway, finally skipped that.

After much procrastination, making sure I was not carrying anything that I absolutely did not need, I set off.
It was sunny and an absolutely beautiful day.
Not a breath of wind.
Not a worry at all with the heat.
Most of the trail was in shade.
If not, I just put my hat on.
Hence the 'hat hair.'

Now, I had read, and Amanda had told me that it was better to take the train to Vernazza and hike back to Monterosso.
But I was here.
So I set off to walk from Monterosso to Vernazza.

What a magnificent walk.
Yes there were steps.
A lot of steps.
But I just took my time and enjoyed the experience.
I had my trusty hiking sticks from Zermatt.
They were great.

The views were magnificent.
Magnificent!
The people on the trail were friendly.
And so many nationalities!

We had lots of laughs.
People took your photo.
You took theirs.
It was wonderful.

The views back to Monterosso were breathtaking.
Then you had that special view down to Vernazza.
Amazing.
I could not believe I was there.

The final walk into Vernazza township was funny as you were just going down this huge amount of steps past people's front doors.

And the colour of the buildings was exactly as I had imagined.

The washing hanging outside the windows added to the experience.

And then I was there.
There were people everywhere.
Bought lunch and sat on the boat ramp to the small bay and ate it, soaking up the sights.
Kept looking at the church on my right, Daryl.

Then I stood up.
My legs were very wobbly.
Up to that point, I was considering hiking the next stage.
No ...
Don't think you had better do that.
Just soak up Vernazza.
So I did.

Daryl, this church is not that impressive from the outside, ignoring the location.
But inside it is absolutely beautiful.
The stone pillars and the colour of the pews make it really, really special.
I loved it.
Spent a lot of time inside ... and hugged the first pillar on the right hand side as you walk in.
So, if you get here, you have to hug it too.
Just so that two of us have hugged it.
And you will want to.
The place is beautiful.

Ate a gelati.
Experienced weird toilets for the first time.
( Don't ask.)

Wandered the streets.
Paddled in the water.

And caught the Ferry back to Monterosso.

Amazing to see it from the water.
That was a long hike.

I had text Helen, a lady from Berwick that Amanda told me was going to be here at the same time as I was.
We arranged to meet at 6pm at her hotel for drinks.
Had a great time with them.
Helen, her brother Bruce, his wife Mary and their daughter Stephanie.
They are staying on the other side of Monterosso.
The town has an old part, where I am and a new part ... These are separated by a fair sized tunnel through the rock.
Amazing how warm it is on my side ... faces west.
And how cool it is on the other side of the tunnel.

Then headed back and sat on the 'Internet' park bench outside the office and uploaded photos.
That takes a while!
Wonderful conversations with other guests sitting there doing the same thing.

Wonderful weather forecast for tomorrow.

I am ready for 'Angelo's Boat Tour.'

Magnificent day.
Loved it.
Absolutely cannot believe that I walked that far.

Hey, remember that guy who snored in Munich?
He's followed me to Monterosso.