Fabulous day. Not as arduous as yesterday, toes behaved, weather also complied. No rain to speak of, even though we were braced for downpours (and there were massive dramatic storms last night that caused flooding in Siena). Result! Currently composing this after two Aperol spritzes, some chianti and a limoncello, all well above my pay grade, so all mistakes are my own.
The path was mercifully gravelled mostly, none of the thick mud we navigated yesterday. We set off at 8 am, walked a few miles to Monteriggioni proper, and arrived just as a few cafes were opening at 9am. Had a very sugary piece of apple tart and a coffee each, then Sara and Caroline stayed on to catch a bus from there to Siena (six minutes!!!) while the rest of us yomped off down the hill. Quite a pleasant walk with very little in the way of tarmac until the last few miles. We went through lots of dappled woodland adorned with a smattering of funghi. Elizabeth was suffering with her feet again unfortunately. By about midday the sky was fairly blue, but we had a cool breeze and it was about as perfect as it could possibly have been.
Walking into Siena was like a huge pay-off for the many miles (100) we’d walked over the course of the week. While Elizabeth collapsed and nursed her feet at our hotel en route, Jo, Esther and I forged on to the very steps of the duomo. We arrived towards 3pm when the afternoon sun was falling diagonally across everything and lighting it all up from within. The streets were bustling and the atmosphere vibrant. The duomo looks like it’s been made out of liquorice allsorts and sticks of rock, with a dusting of icing sugar. We went inside and it was just awe-inspiring. So much beauty. A treat.
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| Leaving our temporary abode bright and early |
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| Tart in Monteriggioni |
After a shower and a bit of a wander round, we all met up on the Piazza del Campo for a couple of spritzes and then went off to a restaurant opposite our hotel where we had another excellent meal and more alcohol. We haven’t had a bad meal the whole time we’ve been here. Such a jolly evening, and we are blessed that everyone has got on really well and had a great time together while also being able to go at their own pace and feel relaxed about it. A great success.
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| A pilgrims’ rest stop where Elizabeth and I fortified our supplies with boiled eggs |
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| Yellow clay paths through the forest |
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| Crossing State lines |
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| Rest before the final push |
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| Entering the gate of Siena |
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| Sweaty but glowing with achievement |
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| Massive ice creams |
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| Stunning |
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| Praise de Lawd |
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| Magnificence |
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| Still relatively sensible |
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| Second round of alcohol |
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| Just look where we are! |
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| Raucous by now |
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| Friends forever |
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