We planned to hike from Volastra, after a short bus ride to get there.  This plan eliminates the steep climbs that are required otherwise.  Since my feet have been feeling the effects of the chemo drugs, I have not been able to prepare physically for this trip.  So avoiding the steep climb works for me!

We could hear the rain during the night and when we woke in the morning it was still raining, sometimes quite hard.  We decide to continue with our plan.  We have our breakfast and head out to the bus stop in front of the ATM in the main street Via Columbo.  We are a bit early and check out a restaurant Sarah our host told us about.  While in a tunnel/street an elder man speaks to us.  He asks where we are from and obviously we tell him Canada.  He is pleased.  He lists off a number of Canadian cities that he has been in his life.  He has been to Vancouver at the beginning of an Alaskan cruise.  He then lists of many many countries that he has been to as well.  He has been almost everywhere.  We head back out to wait for the bus.  We see him carrying two large wine carboys covered in wicker up the street.  While sitting on a bench nearby he pops out of the door behind us.  We learn more about him.  He makes wine, the space he has in the building behind us is where he stores some of his wine making supplies and equipment.  He is there to clean his carboys.  Quite a character.    We take a photo of Stu in this village before we set off on the small bus, that carries mainly locals except for us.

We find the beginning of the trail and start off.  It is quite quiet at the moment.  It is still raining a bit as we walk.  The trail has a winery along the route, so we thought it would be rude not to stop for a tasting.  Sadly, it was locked up tight as a drum.  Not sure when it would open.  Just past the winery, we are walking through a vineyard overlooking the Ligurian Sea.  It seems the perfect spot to leave some of Stu.  

The trail is quite mucky with lots of puddles.  This photo definitely makes it look treacherous, but we didn’t feel that at the time really.  The path takes us through someone’s yard, it feels like.  It could be a B&B, not sure. 

We are now getting closer to Corniglia, which is the middle terre of the Cinque Terre.  It is the only village that is not on the water.  The train arrives at the waters edge, but there are over 300 stairs to get to the village at the top.   We arrive and find a little bar to enjoy some Limon Spritz and some lunch.  The last bit downhill to this village, my feet, specifically my toes were very sore. 

After our little rest they are feeling much better.  We are reading that the trail from here, Corniglia to Vernazza is not that difficult, so we decided to carry on to Vernazza.  The portion of the trail requires payment.  We stop at the little booth and are expecting to pay 7.5 Euros, but we are only asked for 6, not sure why, but that is OK. 

The trail is way more challenging that I was anticipating.  The conditions due to the rain make it doubly challenging as the path is very slippery.  The stairs where they exist are not a normal height, but probably more than double a normal height at times.  The poles definitely help me pull myself up these high steps.  The decent steps are just as difficult.  I rely on the poles again to help me down.  I go very slowly as each step needs to be carefully considered in order not to slip and fall in the muck. 

There are some spectacular views however, that remind us why we are doing this.  It is truly a beautiful place.

We arrive in Vernazza down many many many steps, finally into the village.  There is a little bar across the street, so we make our way there and enjoy sitting, taking the weight off of our feet.  We order drinks.  Dana has an Aperol Spritz, I have a half pint of beer and a fizzy water.  Not long after the drinks arrive, our server brings some snacks.  Some focaccia (which is one of the specialities in this area), some with pesto, some with cheese, also some chips.  This is all complimentary.  This cost us 7.5 Euro.  Nice!!

These are our shoes after this day.  Covered in mud.  My pants too.  Even banging our feet does not dislodge much of it.  Into the bidet go my shoes and poles to clear off the muck of the day.  Hahaha!

The shower was amazing and a nap soon followed.  We did manage to get out for dinner which revived us both.

My fitbit recorded 21,699 steps for today.  Very full day.  Difficult, but amazing as well.