Health Camp Cinque Terre

What a pleasure to arrive in Vernazza, plop down at a table in the square on the water front and order a seafood risotto for two. We sat in the sun and contemplated the world, while supping vino rosso and sparkling water. From here about 2 hours later we found ourselves a room just 20 metres away, on the flat and next to the water. Unfortunately it was only for one night, but it was worth it to gather our wits. We then stupidly took off for the first walk to Monterosso, with the wine and food in out tummies.
The walk was bloody hard, and hundreds and hundreds of f... upward steps to even get out of the town, but maybe worse are the steps down into the next town. It looks so close but it is miles up and down to go around the bluffs. At times I thought I couldn’t do it, but kept counting 10 steps and then another 10 and so on. Lucky I am a stubborn bitch. It was really rough too, so no nice smooth track or anything. The sun was really hot and we quickly ran out of water. The problem is, you get to the other end and it is only a 5 minutes train ride back!! Very deflating.
The next day we were up and racing (not) around 9am (Italian pace) and had an Italian breakfast of brioche and cappucini and then had to sit around waiting to change rooms. The room we chose is up bloody 100 steps but we can sit cliff edge and view the coast from a terrace. We decided to read from there and just cruise for a few hours. You have to ration how many times you come up and down.
We eventually caught the train to the other end and took the same photo we took 23 years ago in Riomaggiore. The walks from this end are a doddle in comparison, nice and flat and paved for most of the way.
Today we have done the final part of the walk, beating straight up out of this town and heading to Corniglia. It was quite tough and long and it is sticky with humidity so we sweated out litres. I can’t get my washing dry in my room, so it is waving in public cliff-side much to Barry’s disgust. What is wrong with 7 pairs of size 20 undies and 7 pairs of white socks blowing in the wind?
The trains were a little muddled (ie Barry was muddled by the trains) so we ended up back at Riomaggioire for lunch next to the beach. Each place is slightly different so it is nice.
Barry is being a masochist and going back up way above the town to get last light photos. Good on him.
Next stop is Lucca..one of our favourite places.