4th September 2022
There has been some serious rain the last few days with impressive thunderstorms passing overhead sending everyone dashing in doors. The local street vendors are incredibly savvy and before the first clap of thunder disappears they are on the streets selling umbrellas and rain capes.
One of the best days of the trip so far. I wish I could admit it was because I visited on the amazing museums or cultural exhibits but no, I sat under an outside umbrella in the rain watching the All Black v Argentina match online. It was morning and the waiter seemed to understand my anxiety and kept me topped up with large Cafe Americano con latte freddo. Bellissimo!
however today is a beautiful morning and promises to be another 30deg plus day. I am off to the station early to catch the train to the unexciting town of Poggibonsi. It’s only significance is that it intersects the Francigena trail so off the train, pack on back and start walking.
Tuscany is spectacularly beautiful but also one of the more hilly walks you can under take. This section is not the most undulating but does have a fairly long and steepish hill in the last few kilometres to San Gimignano. Does make sense I guess these town are historically fortress citadels and tended to be built on the top of hills.
Great day walking, the weather was hot and the last hour slogging up the hill was challenging however, all in all and brilliant day.
This is another big tourist destination and during the day was bus loads of tourists everywhere. However the evening was quieter and went to main square to have dinner and listen to a wonderful duo that had set up outside a restaurant and treated everyone to an amazing concert. What an absolutely wonderful way to end the day.
Tomorrow is on to the little village of Colle Val D’Elsa.
Via Francigena Italy - 2022 