The ‘Circolo dell’amicizia’ (friendship club) meets in Fornoli’s parish hall opposite that row of shops which includes a bank and a computer shop. The circolo’s facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=o.208733910261&type=3
Inaugurated in 2011, the circolo is mainly directed towards citizens of the third age (i.e. retired people) and its activities include tombola. (bingo), cards games and excursions , handicrafts, such as cooking, knitting, crochet and sewing, cultural activities and discussions on current issues with invited speakers, film shows, theatre and readings.
However, the circolo’s programme of events also encourages the presence of a younger audience. This was particularly the case on Tuesday 22nd May when a leading figure in the local ‘Pegaso’ trekking group, Dr. Giorgio Tofani, introduced four videos on ‘l’alta montagna’, concentrating on the group’s walks in the Alps, to a packed hall.
Tofani, a retired doctor from Benabbio, presented his book on Benabbio “”Ho fatto della mi ‘vita torchi” last year. (‘Torchio’ is a press machine. It could be applied to a printing press or to an agricultural press for wine etc. The book’s title, therefore, means ‘I’ve put my life to the test’).
Tofani has truly a way with words and the four videos, including an ascent to one of Italy’s highest mountain hostels, the rifugio Città di Mantova, height 11476 feet in the western Alps, were engrossing for anyone who loves climbing mountains or just admires the beauty of glaciers and high peaks.
Truly, as Tofani stated, at the top of a mountain one is nearer to God and on the summit of so many of Italy’s mountains there’s a Cross or a statue of the Madonna.
Our own modest escalation of mountains includes some tops in Scotland including Stack Polly, Quirang and Marsco, Alpine refuges such as the Marinelli below the Bernina and the Cabane du Velan below the Grand Combin, and several Apuan peaks including Pania Della Croce, Monte Pisanino and Penna di Sumbra. Will it be too late for us to continue getting to the top of other staircases to the heavens? Of course not. One must say it’s never too late for doing anything in one’s life!
Scotland’s lovely Stac Polly
and the isle of Skye’s Marsco.
The Cabane du Velan below Le Grand Combin:
Surely the Pegaso trekking group, whose facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=o.208733910261&type=3, may extend our mountain walking time. This is their programme for this year:
The walks/climbs are divided into ‘effort required’ and ‘difficulty of route’. There are easy (green), average (yellow) and difficult (red) categories. Take your pick!