Lord Colliers Active Retirement Life

Great St. Bernard to Aosta – The Italian Job!

Last night, I had a wonderful dinner at the hospice, starting with a warm bowl of soup, followed by a hearty serving of rice and pork, and finishing with a delicious apple tart. The meal was served communally, and we all sat at designated spots, mingling with people from all over the world. It was a lively evening filled with conversation, but we all called it an early night, knowing that tomorrow would bring another long stage of the journey.

I woke up at 5 AM, unable to resist peeking out the window at Saint Bernard Lake. Overnight, the clouds had rolled in, and the temperature had dropped significantly. At 6:30, breakfast was served in the hospice — another communal affair where everyone gathered to start the day together.

The morning was calm, with the air crisp and refreshing. The descent that followed was smooth, and the views were absolutely spectacular. Along the way, I met several fellow pilgrims, including a man from Paris who’s walking to Rome over three months.

Today also marks the first day I’m walking through Italy, and it’s a bit surreal to finally cross into this beautiful country.

As usual, the scenery was breathtaking. I wound my way through small hamlet villages, where locals went about their daily business with warm smiles. It felt like stepping back in time. Streams ran through the heart of these villages, and the well-marked paths made the journey a bit easier.

At one cafe, I stopped for a coffee and met a cyclist from Cheltenham, England. He shared an interesting tidbit: the Green Saint Bernard Road was where the opening scenes of The Italian Job were filmed! It’s always exciting to learn something new along the way.

As I approached Aosta, the pattern continued: another steep climb followed by a crazy, intense descent into the valley. It’s tough, but in its own way, it’s a lot of fun (may be not)!

Aosta is a town nestled in the heart of the Alps. Originally a Roman settlement, it still retains much of its ancient architecture, including the Roman Theatre and the Porta Praetoria. The way history blends with the vibrant, everyday life of the town creates a unique and special atmosphere.

Today was another challenging day. The descent lasted nearly seven hours, with some parts being steep and treacherous. The first section, in particular, was tough, but the effort was well worth it. As I made my way through the forest, the towering pine trees seemed endless, creating a serene, almost otherworldly atmosphere.