Thursday 30 June 2016

Updates from Malcolm

Welcome All, and at last a reliable internet connection. 
We can now show you what really did occur on THAT epic journey !


 Monastery at  Santurio Oropa
It was in the clouds as it was high up the mountain and drizzled on the day we left

For example when we were at the Monastery we had an evening meal which was fantastic. A corn with cheese starter followed by Trout and vegetables then a desert. Others had steaks. All washed down with beer !!  They really should have sampled the local wines (Just see what they missed)!!  We cannot expect too much I suppose.  They really are all kids still at heart. They fall off their bikes and laugh it off after a wince.   Though Fr Michael assures us his mishap was caused by a stone in a puddle!


 

When they come back to the van they want their biking 'mummy' (Denese) and ask her for extra massage time in the evening, but she is wise!


 Denese and her angelic boys!

 A few antics as we traversed the St Bernard Pass:

We discovered that Mick Claridge has not got the hang of his Go Pro camera.  It takes videos and he has been turning it off when in fact he has turned it on !!  So a few embarrasing moments there!



A very neat derriere Mick!



Malcolm 'snowballing the aliens'


 the remains of the 'fight'


  
Denese taking it all in her stride!


At the top of the St Bernard Pass
Meeting with some fellow pilgrims (Tim and friend who were walking to Rome)



Pleased to have made it to the highest point!



Starting the descent down and 27 miles of hairpin bends!



At a Via Francigena stopping point



 Awaiting Mike Carney and his taxi



Denese points out you need Guiness for Iron & Strength
Fr Michael admits she is right




 Observed by Mike Carney who took her advice -- for once !!


Did you wonder how they managed to get bikes, spare bike frames and wheels, tool kits, food supplements and sports drinks, personal belongings (not to mention six pilgrims) into the van?

Malcolm is looking perplexed as he can't work it out either !!


 Surprise, Surprise !!  Visitors from St Joseph's
Denese's mum, Mary, Maura and Anne join us unexpectedly








 Fr Michael telling a few of his Irish jokes






Couldn't you sometimes want to throttle them. Well here is the first attempt. 
They thought Mary wanted a hug and started singing "I'm in heaven"

 
Other guests start joining in -- much to the annoyance of the owner, 
then the staff join us and say thank you !!

 

The ladies were supposed to leave us here 
. . . but we have no chance
 



We tried to loose them whilst taking them on an tour of Puccini's villa



Do not always rely on SATNAVS !!!  
We were led to the top of Mount Pisa and not OPisa itself. 
This is what we found when we got there !!
 


See how fit and active our pilgrims are at the start of the day!



Practicing for that all important ride into Rome

 

At the Carmelite Monastery in Rome
Greeted by one of Fr Michael's proteges (Fr Danny) in Nigeria who now works at HQ



Finally arrival back at St Joseph's
and a warm welcome with Mary's banner - made from glitter paint and floor mops!

Malcolm Johnstone