Let me explain why...
Up until about twenty years ago an annual journey, called the TRANSUMANZA took place in Southern Italy.
Drovers and shepherds bought their cattle, sheep and goats down from the mountain regions to the valleys and plains to seek green lush pastures.
They drove them along the TRATTURI , ancient routes across the south of Italy.
Sadly a great deal of the original routes have been lost, either by being encroached upon by local farmers for crops or in some cases roads and even houses have been built on them.
However parts of some of the routes remain, and thanks to the hard work and sheer determination of people like Carmalina Colantuono they are not going to be forgotten.
She works tirelessly seeking acknowledgment of the Tratturi and the Transumanza's importance in Italy, even battling with regional and national politicians to seek greater recognition for them.
Today was a culmination of all her hard work as she was able to drive a herd of cattle out of San Marco in Lama, a small town in Puglia together with family and friends.
An amazing feat if only because of the bureaucratic hurdles through which she has had to jump to achieve this.
I greatly admire her determination and relentless stamina.
Unfortunately I did not see the start as I got rather lost following my trusty satellite navigation.
Instead of arriving on the outskirts of San Marco in Lamis I ended up in the mountains having followed a very good road ( quite unusual here) which abruptly came to a DEAD END .. in the middle of nowhere.
I then had to turn round to drive back the way I had come, eventually catching the tail end of the herd!
If you will excuse the pun.
Their bells jangling the cattle trotted along the road out of the town, straying occasionally into the Olive groves, and wheat fields along their route.
The riders kept a watchful eye on them herding the strays back into the group with practiced ease.
Police followed behind to control the steam of traffic which tiptoed along patiently until
the cattle were led off down a track to join the Tratturo.
I smiled as I too followed in my car reflecting on how now we are so used to just getting from A to B, using the fastest and most direct route.
Perhaps being forced to slow down was a lesson on how there are more fundamental reasons at stake other the obvious one to preserve a valuable piece of history.
We need to stop our relentless urge to drive pylons and wind turbines into our soil, taking time to value what we still have before it is too late
It is essential we will be able to tread these ancient paths once again, not only today but in the future too
Let's work with Carmalina and ensure that the TRANSUMANZA and the TRATTURI are given the recognition they deserve.
WELL DONE
and I can't wait to see the next stage .. I just wish I had a horse and I would be there with you .
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