Cassino

Before leaving NZ Tony had found a guide with excellent reviews to take us out for the day while we were here in Cassino. She collected us at our door at 8.30am and off we went on the search for the road into Hove Dump where Tony's father had driven ammunition trucks. It's quite well hidden in behind a small village but after asking a third Italian we were in luck. He didn't hesitate and next minute we found ourselves in his car and off we drove for 2 or 3 minutes on a gravel track and there was the Inferno track that the troops had used to carry truck loads of ammunition and other supplies into Hove Dump. 

The Italian man showing us the beginning of the track we were searching for.

They could only use this road at night using very small lights following close behind each other so as not to be seen. This narrow track zig zagged its way up and around the steep terrain and was so dangerous with cliffs to one side. Trucks were lost over the edge at times some deliberate through breakdown. 

The Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery. The bottom right corner is where the 500 New Zealand soldiers lie.

Approach to the rebuilt monastery after being bombed in 1944.

The church in the Monastery more like a cathedral to us. It was incredible and the acoustics were amazing. While we were down in the crypt we suddenly heard this beautiful singing. We found a group of tourists from Slovinia standing casually together up the front of the church filling the place with the sound of a full choir. 

An extra bonus to be let into this basement area  which was part of the original foundation from Roman times.

Our guide who obviously knew this man that worked here. 

It was our lucky day and we were in the right place at the right time. This man offered to show us into an area that was not open to the public. At this time of the day the 12 monks that live in this monstrosity would be having siesta so he quickly showed us a small fraction of the lower area and some of the little chapels the monks use. 

One of these chapels was where the famous Saint Benedict spent his time.

Our guide was quite excited to be seeing this forbidden area for the first time. 

Monastery view from the Polish Cemetery

After a quick visit to the Polish cemetery it was time to call it a day. Temperatures had been 36 deg since mid morning. No pool to return to here just a cold shower. Even the locals are saying that this heat doesn't normally arrive until later in the month.