6th September 2022
There comes a time when you start to get into the walking routine and become a shuffling pilgrim on the road and today is it. I have got over the Jetlag now and starting to get into the routine of packing, breakfast then on the road walking and arriving to the next destination. You stop worrying about the distances and how long to go and just start walking.
I am down to hotel breakfast as early as they open and take my coffee outside into the already hot day to FaceTime Bev and Lisa/Sophie before heading out of town. This is going to be another hot as heck day and best idea is to get under that umbrella by lunchtime.
The road out of town has a quite beautiful scenic diversion and dips into a valley to follow beside a river for the first 5 kms before heading through a few villages and out into the spectacular Tuscany countryside.
Mercifully it’s a relatively short duration day of 3-4 hours walking and I am in sight of the magnificent circular walled citadel of Montereggioni. This walled medieval town is located on a hill, of course and has been here since the 12 century. It lies between Sienna to south and Florence to the north and was a strategic fortress during the many territorial battles that were fought over the centuries. I arrive just on lunchtime and settle under an umbrella to cool off and have a well earned lunch.
These days it is spectacular tourist destination with wonderful restaurants and accommodation and masses of daytime tourists bussing in for lunch and walk around the souvenir shops and walk through the historic church and castle.
I Have thought ahead and booked accommodation here at the wonderfully names Wine and Food Accommodation. By chance in the afternoon a stage was set up in the main square with seats and band equipment for a night concert. I have the best seat in the house in my apartment window facing out over the square.
I reserved a seat in a restaurant and sat outside in the warm evening sipping wine and enjoying a fabulous private concert. Doesn’t get much better than this.
What an amazing night to spend in this wonderful place. The concert went in till midnight which meant a late night to sleep but that’s Ok. A small feeling of trepidation though, as tomorrow’s walk to Siena is a step up at 22km and with hills and temperature the smart thing would have been an early night and early rise to get going before sun gets up. Can’t be helped just have to take my time and drink more water.
Via Francigena Italy - 2022 