Finding The Way Together
Curiosity and wonder: the perfect spirit for an adventure.
On Friday we had a special excursion.
We started from the summit of Monte Labbro, sitting on rocks; around us, but further down, 360 degrees of mountainous and hilly landscape. With David's help, we recognised the four directions, took our bearings by identifying familiar objects (Roccalbegna to the south, Castel del Piano to the north, Monte Amiata and the superstrada to the north-east) and established our landmarks for the hike. The day was clear and at that time the wind was blowing from the south-west, which was called Libeccio. From the top of the mountain we set off in a 10 degree northerly direction, in search of the path that would take us to Castel del Piano and Podere Bazzino, the site of our school.
The kids were fantastic. They found the route with ease and at every fork in the path they were able to choose well. We rode through gentle shale hills covered with scrub (with Broom, Juniper, Dog Rose and other plants we identified) and woods of Field Maples, Hazelnuts and the very poisonous Evonimus. We found streams with small waterfalls and clearings dotted with large edible mushrooms (Macrolepiota Procera) that the boys promptly picked, as well as chestnuts that fell from trees along the way. We also encountered other types of mushrooms, both edible and not, various spiders and insects, we found the footprints of an ungulate, and we came across a herd of Micci Amiatini, the typical donkeys of this area, as we walked through the wildlife park. There was also a puppy with its parents, and a pregnant donkey with a huge belly. The donkeys were kind and curious, they let us pass without getting scared, partly because we were careful not to frighten them: we spoke softly and avoided sudden movements.
We observed two ponds in search of the crested newt and caught a glimpse of a wolf.
We ate our packed lunches in a Chestnut grove and then down to Arcidosso, passing through Le Macchie. Here were roads with cars again. A short walk through the old town to take the road through the fields to Le Fornaci, a deserted and delightful hamlet, and then the woods with the path leading to the school, a small farm surrounded by vegetable gardens on the outskirts of Castel del Piano. We covered 15 km in 5 hours. We did not follow the shortest path, which would have been slightly shorter, but we made it anyway. The team consisted of eight children (aged 6 to 14) and four adults.
The whole time, morale was high. The children were enthusiastic and their attention was completely focused on the environment. They were leading, not only in the sense that they were the ones deciding the route, but also directing the group's attention. Plants, mushrooms, animals, places. So many questions. Curiosity and wonder: the perfect spirit for an adventure.Towards the end we were tired but everyone held on, walking to the end. On arrival at the school, while waiting for the parents, the kids started reading or playing the guitar. There was an atmosphere of contentment and tranquillity in the room: we were once again in a familiar environment. We had just completed a mission, accompanied by the crisp October air. We had done it, and it had been beautiful.
Podere Bazzino, 17 October 2024